Yet more help needed

[kevin read]

wow guys things are moving fast for me now! having moaned to you guys about buyin my first big spid because my smithi sling is takin an age to grow i (or should i say we ) the family have a new addition . the advert in our local paper read , Mexican white knee spid with full tank set up for sale. After much browsing on the net i see no ref to mexican white knees . The spid is a lovely size, a little smaller than my hand and it sure has white markings on the legs , but i,m not convinced about the name mexican white knee . any idea guys.
p.s the tank size is 18 x 9 with 2" of subtrate at bottom and a small water bowl with a half round plant pot for a hide. he also gave me a heat mat which he always put under neath of tank on one side so half of substrate looks damp and the other half looks dry ( where the mat is ) is this a good set up ? any advice would be well appreciated. Kev
Another p.s Without this forum i would be lost, many thx BTS and it,s members . x

[Andrew Ferguson]

Mexican White Knee hmmm? I think that maybe a name the previous owner gave it. My juvenile Mexican Red Knee's knees are looking pale and in some lights almost off white. Perhaps that could be the same with yours hence the incorrect common name?

[Rich.Harrington]

The only white knee that comes to mind would be Acanthoscurria geniculata, this is from areas of brazil rather than mexico. If you haven't already contacted the seller to ask the scientific name then do so. Should they not know then it is likely geniculata on the grounds of them being very popular and well bred spiders. That and they probobaly got it from a petshop where someone took one look at it, realised it has similarities to a B.smithi (in the same way your adverage 747 resembles a hamster) and gave it the new name.

As for the setup well usual applies there, move the heatmat to the back of the tank, currently all it is doing is creating a desert on one side and a swamp the other. Also if it is geniculata then consider it will get to around 8" in size. The tank is large enough for it, however 2" of substrate is (in my humble opinion) only just adequate for a sling. If space allows for it then increase that up to 6,7, or even 8". The larger a burrow your T has to hide in, the more secure it will feel.

[kevin read]

Thx rich , as always help appreciated as my thirst for knowledge continues

[kevin read]

guys if i increase the depth of the subtrate to say 6 " does it have to be damp and does the heat mat stick to the top middle or bottom or to one side and how does it stick to the glass . cheers kev

[Rich.Harrington]

The heatmat really depends on the thickness of the glass. Anything over 4mm could be best to put it inside of the tank, to avoid excessive heat loss. As for most new world terrestrials temperatues in the 80-85 range are good. Humidity is the same again just the normal 75-80% for the south rainforest folk. This will simply equate to a resonable sized waterbowl, and a light misting every few days.

I haven't kept them myself yet, so can't comment on if they like dry or damp substrate, no doubt someone else here will fill that part in for you. Though if they are anything similar to A.chacoana then a very lightly damp substrate seems prefered.

As to getting the heatmat to stick, well I find duct tape is your best friend.

[kevin read]

thx rich, just taki some photos now then maybe you could give me a better idea of the type of spid if thats ok. cheers kev

[Peter Lacey]

Not sure if you've posted pix in this thread (work ban on photobucket images) but it does sound like you have the Brazilian Giant White knee (Acanthoscurria geniculata).
The one I have is 4-5" and probably female, they'll grow to approx 8". It adopted my small burrow and has extensively burrowed to provide at least 8" of retreat. She made it clear she's not keen on damp substrate so I maintain a water bowl (which I've never seen her approach) and a fortnightly light spray.
Although slim on the legs mine is quick on its feet but heavy in her footsteps - its great coz when she goes for food she's fast but you certainly hear her. They are notorious big eaters and often sit out on display. One of my favs tbh as she's a reliable feeder and very distinct banding on the legs.
As previously discussed many times before, resist the heatmat under-substrate but if your room is warm enough (70+) for you its likely you don't need one (mine has never had a heatmat).

[Tom Forman]

i use ducttape also.

Put the heatmat on the side of the tank and follow the advice already given.

I am getting less and less worried about humidity with my spiders I have to admit, just keep one corner of the tank moist, the rest can be dry. If you have a waterbowl in there too that you fill up weekly(it does not even have to be full all the time) your spid will get all the moisture it needs.

I think Colin answered your question about what kind of spider you have in your other thread.

[Andrew Ferguson]

The heatmat really depends on the thickness of the glass. Anything over 4mm could be best to put it inside of the tank, to avoid excessive heat loss.

The heatmat I acquired recommended putting a sheet of polystyrene at least 4mm thick behind the heatmat to prevent any heat loss. Heatmats work in the same way as radiators and kick heat out from the back as well as the front and the polystyrene helps reflect it back.

[Rich.Harrington]

By heat loss I meant that thick glass will be taking a large amount of energy to heatup, and at teh rate with which heatmats warm, you might find that any energy going into the glass is being expelled off again before the mat can push it through into the tank.

[Andrew Ferguson]

Ahh! Yeah that makes sense.

[Peter Roach]

I am getting less and less worried about humidity with my spiders I have to admit, just keep one corner of the tank moist, the rest can be dry.

Definately what he said

[Oli Dodds]

Sounds like A.Genic to me too.
DONT put the heatmat inside the tank unless you want a cooked spider for dinner....
Try putting the heat mat on the back of the tank with tinfoil (shiny side facing the mat) over it.

[kevin read]

Sounds good guys , cheers