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Post by Deleted on Dec 11, 2010 10:04:24 GMT 1
Hi, as a first time ant keeper I would like to know if it is advisable to keep ants in a large formicarium (Read 3ft by 2ft by 2ft aquarium) which will have a soil base with enough soil to nest in, with rocks and logs. I am trying for as natural a set up as i can.
This will be their only environment so will be nest and foraging area in one with appropriate escape protection barriers at the top of the glass and a glass lid.
I know that i will probably not see a huge amount of the nest activity inside unless they tunnel near the glass edges, and i can assist that with rock, log and soil placement, but ants will be ants.
The interesting fact of this setup will be their foraging activities, so with this in mind could you suggest a species that can safely be ordered from the Ant Store in Germany for housing in the UK that will be active out of the nest.
Many thanks for a great forum.
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Post by Myrm on Dec 11, 2010 10:06:07 GMT 1
Hi Nocturne, and welcome to the forum.
The set up you describe sounds ideal. I have kept similar sized set ups before and they are perfect for ants. In fact, my most successful colony ever was raised in such a set up.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 11, 2010 10:09:19 GMT 1
It sounds like a great setup! I think that Myrmrica Rubra or Lasius Niger would do well in that setup
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Post by Deleted on Dec 11, 2010 10:15:16 GMT 1
Thank you for the swift replies. I will try to get the setup sorted out next week as i am on holiday from work as of today until new year. Is there any preffered waiting period between setting up a new environment and introducing its occupents?
Just read your Umbratus journal this moring Myrm, facinating read and very inspiring.
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Post by Myrm on Dec 11, 2010 10:20:14 GMT 1
Hi Nocturne. I'm glad you enjoyed my umbratus journal. I have an archived journal of my Lasius niger colony that started off as a single queen in an ant farm which eventually even outgrew the large tank I put them in. The journal covers a period of about 5 years. Here is a link; you may find it interesting: www.antnest.co.uk/lniger1-1.pdfAs for preferred waiting time between creating a set up and moving the ants in; None really. If you have used any strong-smelling glues then it would be best to wait for a day of two, but other than that, it should be fine to move them in more or less straight away.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 11, 2010 10:21:16 GMT 1
I would say, after you put the Sand/Soil in Water it then leave it for 1/2 days to soak, then place the Tube in the Tank, the Ants wil move when ready
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Post by Deleted on Dec 11, 2010 10:22:24 GMT 1
Myrm beat me - This is how helpful we are, we race to answer your Questions
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Post by Deleted on Dec 11, 2010 10:36:26 GMT 1
wow that was fast. Thanks for the link Myrm i will make sure its a priority for bed time reading ;D
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Post by Deleted on Dec 12, 2010 8:42:35 GMT 1
Thanks Myrm that journal was great and helped answer some other questions. Any chance you could direct me to the images mentionedin the journal or have they been removed?
In addition to the nest getting so large, do you think there is any corrolation between the fact that she was a wild caught queen and the desire to move beyond the artificial nest. I know that you were away alot during that time but it sounds like they knew where to go and get food (other kept colonies and your kitchen).
I am planning to postpone getting set up until the end of January as i will be decorating the room they are to go in. That just means i have more time to study ant husbandry ;D
Noc.
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Post by Myrm on Dec 12, 2010 9:24:41 GMT 1
Hi Noc Those images no longer exist I'm afraid. Sorry. No, I don't think the size of the colony resulted from the fact that she was a wild queen, I just think it was the fact that I had simply provided them with a lot of space and food and the right environment.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 17, 2010 12:25:00 GMT 1
With regard to the setup mentioned in my first post in this thread do you think it is a suitable size to keep Camponotus ligniperda?
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Post by Deleted on Dec 17, 2010 14:56:45 GMT 1
I'm not sure about that but Myrmica Rubra could be good in it but I would put Lasius Niger In if its your first ant colony .
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Post by Deleted on Dec 17, 2010 17:31:00 GMT 1
Good Luck. I look forward to reading your colony journal in the very enar future I personally would go for Lasius niger. They are a great starter ant, cheap, active easy to maintain.
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