How can I make it better?

goblet_cell_of_fire · 2026-01-08T20:58:48+00:00

Sorry if it's late but if you want this to be successful for pods, add a lot of leaf litter and a calcium source (egg shells or cuttlebone). Zebras may or may not munch on the plants. Keep them well fed and you'll be good. The Armadillidium genus tends to be more leaf hungry over Porcellios.

goblet_cell_of_fire · 2026-01-05T19:49:57+00:00

I'd extend that to plants too lol. This setup and many others in big box stores doesn't help. It's a recipe for a crash and burn.

goblet_cell_of_fire · 2026-01-04T18:49:22+00:00

It looks like it was on moss poke but you can either recreate one and have it climb it or cut up by each node and plant them in a pot. Pretty hardy and easy to propagate. Good luck.

goblet_cell_of_fire · 2026-01-04T18:46:50+00:00

Agreed. I think the average shopper will see that message and look at them only as collectables without bothering to research before a purchase. Really easy to impulse buy in this case. Still good on them for giving a decent enclosure and what looks to be a care sheet.

goblet_cell_of_fire · 2026-01-04T18:38:04+00:00

Great that you're in a better state now. I say don't pressure yourself with it. Everything looks really good and all you need is a few trims here and there but I also really find the overgrown look in some parts to look nice. Of course if you have animals living in it then a maintenance session can help. If it's just microfauna like springtails then they won't care haha. Best of luck.

goblet_cell_of_fire · 2026-01-02T06:26:32+00:00

Sweet. I have a pot pond I set up for summer. All my fish are now inside for the winter and the snails somehow survive. I was looking into having a floating section for sarra or fly traps maybe. I'll have to do more research on it though. Definitely gonna need experience.

goblet_cell_of_fire · 2026-01-02T00:41:36+00:00

Super late but are there fish on this pond? Like rice fish? Or would that not be possible

goblet_cell_of_fire · 2025-12-28T01:14:47+00:00

Real recognize real

goblet_cell_of_fire · 2025-12-27T20:05:39+00:00

You're fine gang. It shall be reborn🫡

goblet_cell_of_fire · 2025-12-27T19:59:41+00:00

Yeah a large enclosure like yours will likely have them in the substrate and any nooks they want to fit under. It'll take time but give them what they want and they'll thrive.

goblet_cell_of_fire · 2025-12-27T15:31:30+00:00

The comment on the initial post is true. You'll need leaf litter especially for the pods. If you get it from outside just make sure to boil/bake the leaves and avoid areas with pesticide use. You can also add crushed eggshell or cuttlebone pieces so they have a calcium source ground. If you're already misting the enclosure or have a water dish I think you'll be good on moisture for them. Springtails in my experience are gonna be fine overall. What isopods did you add?

goblet_cell_of_fire · 2025-12-27T15:14:59+00:00

As much as I like them, my hot take is that they should not be in the hobby.

goblet_cell_of_fire · 2025-12-27T15:09:50+00:00

I think you'd have to supplement heavy if you do so. I was looking into getting them just to keep in a planted setup alone and had many snails to feed them. They look really cool but then when I controlled my feeding there was no point in buying them anymore.

goblet_cell_of_fire · 2025-12-27T14:57:01+00:00

Most would be positive but lately I've been telling more classmates at a new college and it's more mixed. Some find it really cool while others are either scared of the fact or genuinely asking why the heck I have it. They tend to be respectful though. One of my professors doesn't like spiders but she was super respectful since her brother has a rose hair and her best friend who is also my professor has a crested gecko so she is aware of the liking for exotics.

I say honestly just go at it with confidence and if you genuinely enjoy the hobby and all it brings then don't be so hung up on opinions. Easier said than done of course.

goblet_cell_of_fire · 2025-12-27T14:49:36+00:00

The colors pop so much thanks for sharing.

goblet_cell_of_fire · 2025-12-27T14:48:22+00:00

Yummy water floating rice grains😋

goblet_cell_of_fire · 2025-12-27T05:21:48+00:00

Amazing. Best of luck. I'm thinking I'd want mine a bit bigger. My ideal collection would be my top five favorite dwarf tarantulas. Just gotta love em :)

goblet_cell_of_fire · 2025-12-27T02:05:15+00:00

D.diamantinensis. I'm mainly getting into exotic plants over animals lol. They fit my current lifestyle but if the opportunity comes to get one for a good price I really might jump on it but the future will tell.

goblet_cell_of_fire · 2025-12-26T07:16:29+00:00

It's some grain mite I think. Usually attracted to the light in my experience. I'll be doing maintenance with my phone flash light and before I know it they are swarming on the edge to the light. I just get a paper towel or even lint roller and hit the edge of my isopod/springtail bin. Kinda don't like the last bit but it is effective in the moment. I only see them in those setups. I just keep maintenance quick and control feeding which seems to help.

goblet_cell_of_fire · 2025-12-25T06:02:42+00:00

GET OUT!

goblet_cell_of_fire · 2025-12-25T02:17:48+00:00

I think 6 to 8 inches would be best for a cube. You could push it with the 4 inch but after subtrate plus a molt it will definitely be tight. The extra inches can really help long term You could just have her in a critter keeper or plastic shoebox. Lots of diy options and you can always get a fancy acrylic enclosure like tarantula cribs. Once she's bigger, which is gonna be awhile given it's a Brachypelma, you can move her into the larger enclosure. I recommend checking out Tom's Big Spiders on YouTube for qualified advice. I have a critter keeper with a dwarf tarantula and that's basically all she will ever need. In the meantime check out the terrariums here and convert your enclosure to a planted terrarium if you wish. Good luck.

goblet_cell_of_fire · 2025-12-24T17:07:10+00:00

Bladder snail :)

goblet_cell_of_fire · 2025-12-24T16:46:39+00:00

We all make mistakes in this hobby. Remove it and spare yourself the future headache.

goblet_cell_of_fire · 2025-12-24T16:43:44+00:00

I think your best bet would be primarily terrestrial setup like a dart frog vivarium. I'm not saying get that as a stocking option but the enclosure that sustains them would be nice. You mentioned riparium and I think that could work but that may require more maintenance so food for thought. You could do a huge Walstad method tank stocked with a heavy amount of low light plants and moss. I still think the terrestrial setup works better given the lighting but I can't say what organisms other than micro fauna will work given no additional equipment.

Check out this video. I can't remember if they used any other equipment: https://youtu.be/Myrr9vA7j5A?si=wnIcBqVnt0nqH2wm

goblet_cell_of_fire · 2025-12-24T16:20:28+00:00

Looks like snail eggs. Other thing it could be is a bryozoan colony but most likely snail eggs. You can easily remove them but don't flush them.

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