{"product_id":"arachinid-substrate-mix","title":"Arachinid Substrate Mix","description":"\u003ch1 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArachnid Substrate Mix: Tarantula, Scorpion and Spider Substrate\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eBuilt for burrowers. Our Arachnid Substrate Mix starts with our moisture-holding Rainforest Substrate Mix and adds extra sand and crushed LECA, so tunnels and burrows keep their shape instead of collapsing. Tarantulas, scorpions and burrowing spiders can dig deep, stable homes the way they do in the wild, while the soil stays open, fresh and able to support a clean-up crew. It’s the same substrate we use in our own invertebrate enclosures.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIdeal for:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAustralian tarantulas, including Phlogius and Coremiocnemis\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRainforest and burrowing scorpions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTrapdoor, wolf, huntsman and curtain-web spiders\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCentipedes, which also need deep, burrow-holding substrate (not arachnids, but a good match)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy choose a dedicated arachnid substrate?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMany burrowing spiders and scorpions spend most of their lives underground. In loose or overly soft substrate, their burrows cave in, which stresses the animal and can trap it during a moult. Our arachnid mix is blended to fix that:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHolds burrows and tunnels:\u003c\/strong\u003e the extra sand gives structure, so the substrate packs firm and tunnels stay open.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStays airy, not soggy:\u003c\/strong\u003e the crushed LECA keeps the mix from compacting or going sour, even when the lower layers are kept damp.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHolds the right moisture:\u003c\/strong\u003e the rainforest base keeps humidity in the lower layers, where burrowing species spend their time, while the surface stays drier.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSupports a bioactive setup:\u003c\/strong\u003e it gives springtails and isopods a healthy home to keep the enclosure clean.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat’s in it\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOur Rainforest Substrate Mix:\u003c\/strong\u003e a base of coco coir, peat, sand, horticultural charcoal, bark bedding and aqua soil\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eExtra sand:\u003c\/strong\u003e for structure and burrow strength\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eExtra crushed LECA:\u003c\/strong\u003e for airflow and drainage\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClay and fibres:\u003c\/strong\u003e for structure\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eEvery batch is mixed from new or sanitized ingredients.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow to use it\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003col dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFill it deep.\u003c\/strong\u003e Burrowing tarantulas and scorpions need depth: fill at least half to two-thirds of the enclosure, or 10–15cm+ for adult burrowers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMoisten and pack.\u003c\/strong\u003e Dampen the substrate and press it down firmly so burrows hold their shape.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGive a starter burrow.\u003c\/strong\u003e Press a piece of cork bark into the surface, or start a small hole under it, to encourage your animal to dig.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKeep the bottom damp and the top drier.\u003c\/strong\u003e Pour water into one corner every so often, rather than misting the surface.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGo bioactive.\u003c\/strong\u003e Add springtails and dwarf white isopods to clear mould and leftover food.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArachnid substrate FAQ\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is the best substrate for a tarantula?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA firm, moisture-holding soil mix that holds a burrow. Our Arachnid Substrate Mix is blended for exactly that, so it suits burrowing Australian tarantulas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow deep should tarantula substrate be?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFor burrowing species, fill at least half to two-thirds of the enclosure, and more for large adults. Spiderlings still benefit from deep substrate relative to their size.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat substrate do scorpions need?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRainforest and burrowing scorpions do best in a firm, slightly damp mix that holds tunnels, like this one. Desert scorpions such as \u003cem\u003eUrodacus\u003c\/em\u003e suit our Arid Substrate Mix better.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy do burrows collapse?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eUsually the substrate is too loose, too dry or too wet. The extra sand and LECA in this mix help it pack firmly and drain well, so burrows stay standing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I use it for centipedes?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. Centipedes also burrow and need a moist, stable substrate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePairs well with:\u003c\/strong\u003e Tarantula Enclosure Starter Kit, Virgin Portuguese Cork Bark, Springtail Cultures, Dwarf White Isopod (Trichorhina tomentosa), Australian Nunn’s Birdeater (Phlogius sp. “Rockhampton”).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eBlended in Surry Hills, Sydney, and shipped Australia-wide.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Biota Studio","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52816663609575,"sku":null,"price":10.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0810\/5014\/0903\/files\/Howtoimprovesoilorganically-EcoOrganicsheader_a743b45b-ec74-46cf-9c41-1a223560fa28.jpg?v=1792156884","url":"https:\/\/www.biotastudio.com.au\/products\/arachinid-substrate-mix","provider":"Biota Studio","version":"1.0","type":"link"}