Coir?

[enlightenment]

Needing some coir, I rang the best shop in the city, and they only have the sort that you need to place in water, then it rehydrates.

There is the 'dry' kind, but they didn't have any.

Would the block version suffice?

Anyone?

Thanks

[Poxicator]

I hadn't realised there was an alternative version.
I use the block, you stick it in a bucket of water and it expands 7 times to the size of the original. Once its rehydrated i squeeze out the excess water, place it on a few sheets of newspaper and stick it near the radiator to dry out. By the morning its fine for using with all species. Others tend to dry out in the oven, but make sure you give it plenty of time to cool down.
Add vermiculite and sphagnum moss to raise moisture retention and increase humidity.

[enlightenment]

Originally Posted by Poxicator

I hadn't realised there was an alternative version.
I use the block, you stick it in a bucket of water and it expands 7 times to the size of the original. Once its rehydrated i squeeze out the excess water, place it on a few sheets of newspaper and stick it near the radiator to dry out. By the morning its fine for using with all species. Others tend to dry out in the oven, but make sure you give it plenty of time to cool down.
Add vermiculite and sphagnum moss to raise moisture retention and increase humidity.

Yup, apparently there is a 'loose' version.

They didn't have it!

I am mixing it in 50/50 with sand.

For a scorp.

[Mujician]

Do spiders not like the substrate to be damp? How do you keep humidity up? Especially for young ones? I thought young ones drank from the substrate in their tub?

[Poxicator]

small spiders (slings & juvs) require more moisture than adults because their bodies haven't the same moisture retention. A spray against the side of the tank once or twice a week is fine or overfill their water bowl. However for small slings I'd avoid water bowls.

[Mujician]

Originally Posted by Poxicator

small spiders (slings & juvs) require more moisture than adults because their bodies haven't the same moisture retention. A spray against the side of the tank once or twice a week is fine or overfill their water bowl. However for small slings I'd avoid water bowls.

So, the majority of the substrate for all spiders is dry then yes?

[Poxicator]

You can keep all Ts on dry substrate but its important you supply a small water bowl or spray once a week. The only species that require a bit more moisture are the T. blondi and T. apothysis, others including Avics, Pokies, Psalmos and Earth Tigers require a rise in humidity but one of the probs is too much moisture creates its own problems with pests and mould.
Aphonopelma, Brachypelma, Gramostola, Chromatapelma genus make easy, dry, and hardy species to consider as starters with no real issues with moisture.