Methods for keeping substrate moist?

[Ian Hall]

Hi everybody,

Different species of tarantulas need different percentages of moist substrate from 25%, 50%, 75% etc.

My question to everyone is........

What methods do you use to keep substrate at desired levels of moisture,
especially the higher levels?


Thanks everyone !!!

[matthew spooner]

hi ian, its not so much the moistness of the substrate but more the humidity of the tank. a water dish in the tank will provide you with about 30% humidity and you can increase that by misting the tank with a water spray bottle, once or twice a week. hope this helps

[Peter Lacey]

Just to add to Matthew's reply, you shouldnt put any T on high percentages of water unless you're providing a water enclosure for the likes of H. gigas. Too much water and you'll end up with pests, fungi and probably a dead T.

Most species will adapt to drier conditions although if they're WC as adults you may need to stick to habitat conditions. For most species a spray or pour onto substrate is adequate and once it dries out repeat. To reduce the amount the substrate dries out reduce the ventilation but be careful you don't reduce it so much as to attract pests and fungi.
For the likes of Grammostola, Brachypelma and Aphonopelma you neednt worry too much about humidity/moisture. For Avics, Pokies, Psalmos and T. blondi/T. apothysis its beneficial to use a substrate that retains moisture and preferably a mixed substrate - coir, vermiculite, sphagnum moss, play sand etc.

[Lisa Baines]

out of curiosity... after having a good 'high humidity' success with keeping my scorpions in a false bottom style enclosure, would tarantula's who need high humidity also benefit from this style of enclosure????
Just for future reference. Or is there a downfall to keeping tarantulas this way????