Heating

[Justin Bishop]

Hey, I have a 12x12x12" exo terra tank. I've currently got a 6x11" 7kw heat mat.
Problem is the tank is only reaching a max of 14˚C, any suggestions as to what size mat i need to acquire a temp of 22-30˚C?

[Colin D Wilson]

Is the temp 14˚C ambiently or on the actual heat mat?
If it's on the mat itself then it does seem a little low, indicating a fault maybe?
assuming the mats working fine and the temp "on it" is around 30 ish.........
If your putting a terrestrial spider in there then the heat mat (when placed horizontally on the side above and below the surface of the substrate) will warm the contents through nicely, i.e. having a warm and a cool area for the spider to self regulate.
If your housing an arboreal the the mat should be attached to the rear of the tank vertically (then lean a cork bark against it) so theres a large area for the spider to web, allowing it to decide the best area for the needed temperature.

[Justin Bishop]

Hi Colin, the 14˚C is ambient and the T is a Rosea.
The humidity is around 70-75 at present and the water dish level is reducing over time.
The reason why my concern is he had always been active roaming and climbing the side of the tank eating well up until the colder whether crept in. now he's burrowed and closed his entrance and hasn't been seen for some time (perhaps its warmer in his burrow?)

[Colin D Wilson]

Right we're on Grammies, excellent!!

"Simple" is the perfect word for these.

Regarding temp, if you're happy in a T shirt within the room they're housed then the temp is fine for them.
Substrate should be very dry, you can use a waterbowl if you wish (over flow it occasionally) or you can just pour a little water weeky into a corner of the tank. they'll be fine with hardly any humidity at all .. you'll be suprised.
Feed them as and when they'll take food, they are renound for "fasting" for long periods and this is nothing to worry about. The food they eat will provide all the moisture they need to prepare for a moult and to live normally.
As your little chaps locked himself away, it may be he's preparing for a moult ... has he stopped eating at all?

[Justin Bishop]

It can get too cold in evenings to be sat with a T-shirt as my central heating is up the duff as present, but its in the evening when I've been checking the thermostat as I'm in work all day so cannot say what the temp reaches during the day.
Tank set-up is fine, very dried out peat with water bowl in corner.
As for eaten, last ate mid September and I've not seen him since beginning this month at which point was showing no signs of preparing for moult.
I had previously posted a query back the beginning the month as was so out of character for him to disappear on me.

[Colin D Wilson]

With not eating and webbing up it does seem like the signs are there for a moult.
Is the burrow he's using near the heat mat? or in a warmer area? if so then could be he's just self regulating for the optimum conditions for moulting.
As for the heating is there a way of determining the temp where the spider is at present (without disturbing)?

[R Thomas]

I've currently got a 6x11" 7kw heat mat

I think you mean 7w otherwise watch your electricity bill rocket lol

In all of my terrestrial enclosures heated by a heat mat I never see the Ts as they do seem to be attracted to burrowing into that corner. That includes a Rosie, a King Baboon, an OBT and a Tiger Ornamental.

Not sure why this is though.

Richard

[Justin Bishop]

lol Richard yep 7w is the one.

Just touched the heat mat and doesn't feel as if it is working properly, could be part the problem.
The burrow is in front the heat mat so could be that he is down there to keep warm if my mat isn't working properly.

On the plus side, just moved my tank so where his burrow meets the glass is over the edge of the table and where he's been digging i can see his fangs. he seems ok, didn't appreciate the light from my phone as i lay underneath him and looked up though.

Hoping by replacing the heat mat he may come out, getting a digital thermometer later to see just how much a difference in temp there is between the ambient temp and inside his burrow

[vincent winyard]

hi there justin the other way to make it warmer in the tank is to tape some polystyrene over the heat pad. i do this on all my tanks as it really helps to push the heat in to the tank. the polystyrene i use is 1 inch thick and cut to cover the whole side of the tank or the back if your heat pads there hope this helps.