I can officially say I belong on this forum because I got my better half a B. Smithi today.

This is the first tarantula that I have kept in quite some time. I must say it is good to be back in the hobby .

I have been hunting for months for slings but I haven't found any as yet. Everytime a post goes up with tarantulas for sale, the B. Smithi's are always sold ...anyway, I got one today that is about 5cm (2.5 years old apparently).

I didn't like the way it was being kept, so hopefully now in its new home and environment it will flourish.

Are there any pointers that those with experience keeping this species want to share?

I do believe I have all the basics covered.

Temp: mid - high twenties
Humidity: around 70%
Substrate: mixture of peat and fine bark chips as well as sphagnum moss.
Drift wood for decor,
Water bowl.
Enclosure well ventilated.

I have never kept this species, but would not put the bark chips in. Peat should do perfectly. Otherwise everything else looks fine.

I keep my B. smithi slings on coco peat. I cool them down during winter to under 20 deg, in summer same as you plan to do it.

Congrats on the new T! Can't wait to see pics - these guys are gorgeous!

Gave mine a lrg pvc pipe (yay for the tarantula keepers guide) and she seems to love it. Her humidity i keep above 60ish, raising it abit near her molting schedule to help a tiny bit.
I'd give the chips a skip and just dump in peat with a nice flat slate or bark, mine often plays out the lion king scene on her 'basking' slate ;]

In the cold days i just keep the temp above 20 below 25 with the help of a heating mat on a timer set to 15min intervals every hour or so. Personally i don't go out of my way with humidity and temp management.

Anyways i hope this help ya alot ;]

right so here is a pic. I took it with it on desert sand whilst I was setting up her enclosure. More to come.

not the best looking specimen, but beggers can't be choosers...