Just wanted to post about my terrarium because frankly i'm excited to show this and havent got any friend that share this interest I posted about the proces before, now my terrarium is nearly done. just need to hide the thermostat cable and i think i want to something of bigger stone or something in the middle, because i know my T likes to sit a little elevated. Almost time for my gbb to be introduced to its new home!
Its an arid/desert like setup. the substrate turned a little more red then intended maybe. Chromatopelma's dont seem to burrow, but i reckon she can burrow all she want in here.
i intend to set it up as a bioactive enclosure. the plants are all real (only succulents). i intend to add springtails and maybe isopods if i can find the right ones. i'm a little afraid of them being able to nibble on the spider when in molt. at the same time, she's a heavy webber and she molts in her web above the floor usually. I dont think isopods are crazy enough to walk up a spider web just to get a little nibble. does anyone have experience in this?
i know even isopods and springtails that are suited for dryer conditions need a little moisture. i intend to keep everything fairly dry but just keeping the front left corner a little more moist. I placed some stones and cocofiber in that corner beneath the substrate with a cork bark on top, so it will retain moisture a little longer when sprinkled now and then. The right front corner will get a small ceramic heat emitter (with thermostat) above it, because it can get somewhat cold in my homeoffice in fall/winter. the terrarium is big enough so my T can choose what conditions suit her best.
To me setting up/decorating an enclosure like this is just as much fun as keeping the T. I'm already thinking about getting another terrarium with a more tropical/moist theme! not sure my wife will accept, or she will be filing for divorce first. 3rd picture is the current setup. was big enough for now but not for long i guess.