How to Set Up a Spider Tank

Tarantulas and other spiders make good pets that will provide hours of entertainment, but it's important to think about the arachnid's health and well-being when setting up your spider's tank. Spiders have specific needs that differ from that of other caged pets, which you will need to take into account. Set up your pet's habitat before you buy the spider so it can transition to its new home quickly and stress-free.

Things You'll Need

  • Peat-free compost or vermiculite
  • Spider furniture
  • Heat pad
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Instructions

    • 1

      Get a tank that is wide and shallow, as you are getting a terrestrial spider that loves to burrow. You'll need to get a cage that is taller than it is wide if you are buying an arboreal tarantula--they like to climb and don't spend much time on the floor of the cage.

    • 2

      Provide some peat-free compost as its substrate. This holds water well and also allows the spider to burrow. Vermiculite is also a good option. Avoid bark chips, which attract mold growth, and sand, creating a messy tank.

    • 3

      Put some furniture in the tank to give your spider a place to hide. A piece of curved cork bark is a good option, or perhaps half a flower pot. Generally, you should not put live plants in the tank as they usually require special lighting, whereas tarantulas do not. Provide high-rising furniture like a tree branch if you have an arboreal spider.

    • 4

      Place the tank in a warm area of the house with a temperature between 70 to 80 degrees F., or put a heat pad underneath the tank.

    • 5

      Clean the tank every four to six months, and transfer your spider to a holding container before you do so. Remove dead crickets and wash the interior and exterior of the tank, including the furniture and water dish. Replace the substrate.