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Where to go to start on an arboreal set-up?

3757 Views 10 Replies 3 Participants Last post by  Cocoa-Jin, 
C
I want to build an arboreal, hardwood, monsoon forest set-up(replicating South-East Indian mountainous hardwood forests). Its for an arboreal tarantula.

I would like a tall set-up, perhaps an octagon to place the trunk and foliage in the center. I need a flase bottom with a pull out tray to collect water run-off so I can dispose of it. A means of creating fog, access from the top and possible also the front/side. Ventilation, but well sealed so the feeders cant get out(roaches, crickets, anoles, etc)

Nicely stained wood cabnitery and hood are also desirable. I know its a lot to ask, but Im totally new at this and I need help finding good and reputable sources, "how to"s, etc...pre-fabricated and custom builders are an option.

I'd like to go sort of big, 3-5ft tall, maybe 2ft wide or so.

Any ideas? web-sites? retailers? how-to sites/books? advice?
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M
Well they have a smaller 24" by 18" by 24" Exo Terras and there awesome but with you wanting one that tall heres What I would DEFINATLY do. Buy a 90 gallon aquarium and do this. http://pangeareptile.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11022&highlight=Green+Moss
If you decide not to do a nasty spider lol (my opinion no offense)
If you want a super cool lizard get a Mountain Horned dragon I think there awesome I love mine!

http://www.froggieb.com/MHDCaresheet.html
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C
Sweet thanks, for the help, it certainly is giving me ideas. I still need a means of removing a tray from the false bottom, perferably without needing to open the main living area. The spider I want can get big, is very fast and can cause medicially significant respones from its venom(one of the few nasty bites in the hobby).

I know it just sounds like an icky spider, but our hobby has some absolutly goregous specimens...my arboreal being one of the prettiest.
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BiscuitSlayer
What kind of spider are you going to get?
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C
genus: Poecilotheria

Top of my list is a P. metallica (a.k.a Gooty Sapphire),second is P. Ornata, P. Regalis, P. Formosa

If not them, then genus:Avicularia

top of my list there is an A. Versicolor, second is the Avicularia sp. "Peru Purple"

Oh yeah, how can I forget this one...Cyriopagopus spec blue 2 Malaysia

There are various locations on teh web where you can find nice pics of these guys. I spend my time and learn most about these beauties on an archnoid forum...www.arachnoboards.com
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BiscuitSlayer
Do you currently have any other tarantulas?
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C
Just a terrastrial specimen...a Chilean Rose.
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BiscuitSlayer
Thats cool. Having dealt with arboreal snakes in the past, I can relate to the temperment of the spider that you are interested in. I guess animals that live in trees tend to be more defensive for some reason. I had an emerald tree boa that had a set of fangs on it that could easily penetrate a thick leather work glove. For all intents and purposes, you were not any better off wearing a glove versus not wearing a glove.

Good luck with your enclosure. The link posted earlier in the thread looks pretty promising. I never would have thought of tipping an aquarium on its side like that. That might make it fairly easy to create that removable pan that you were talking about.
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M
Ya on the lower door part put another hinge and cut a cat litter box down to size and slide it in its really as easy as that.
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C
Anyone have pics of something like that...the hinge set-up and cat litter bin thing.

It helps if I can see it before doing it.
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C
Ok, I finally got the arboreal tarantula. Its a baby, less than an inch across. This means i have time to build its set-up.

What Im looking for now are threes. I was looking into Ficus trees F. Benjamina, but Im concerned it will be to temperamental to maintain in the terrarium.

Im looking for something that shares the same benefits/characteritics of the ficus without the fuss. I would like a woody, broad-leafed tree, adapted to relativly high humidity, no need for bright lights(it'll be in a south facing room with ambient light from a window it will be in front of), minimal fertilizing. Stout/thick trunk and branches would be a plus...and lastly, non-toxic to invertebrates/insects, etc.

I could make use of Bonsai techniques to try and fatten the trunks if neccessary.
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