Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2011 0:53:08 GMT 1
Hey!
I have bought a colony of myrmica rubra that consists of 2 queens about 40 workers, I was wondering what size of farm would be suitable, and if you have any ideas on making one, or buying one? They will arrive this week so would love to have a farm ready ASAP. Any other tips would be great!?
Thanks!!
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2011 1:00:22 GMT 1
Ermmm you will need quite a big set up maybe a basin 30 cm x 20 cm or maybe a slim line ant farm around the same size with an outworld.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2011 1:09:36 GMT 1
30 x 20 what? Millimeters? I think M. rubra will probably work with almost any style of formicarium (ant farm). Slimline, tank, plaster and aerated concrete will all work, and there's probably many I haven't remembered. I keep mine in a slimline with a foraging box attached. If you keep them in a tank, 8000 cm 3 will probably be enough. This isn't as much as it sounds like. A 20 x 20 x 20 cm box is 8000 cm 3.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2011 1:21:43 GMT 1
Also, jay if you would be willing to wait I might be able to build an outworld for you if you would review it for me for my antshop.
It would be similar to the one in my messor journal only with a milder climate in mind.
Soil instead of sand, moss and grasses instead of the cactii.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2011 1:41:01 GMT 1
Personally, I don't think that could work. Moss needs a damp environment, which would allow the ants to dig a nest in the soil, just what you don't want in a foraging tank. Grass would make in impossible to see the ants.
You could buy a setup from Antstore, but the postage costs a bomb, and they can never seem to find my door, which is the most conspicuous one in the street. You could use AntsUk.com, who have cheaper postage and from my experience seem to deliver it in a reasonable amount of time, but their products are expensive. Under the circumstances, I suggest going out and buying a large Faunarium and using that, but you might have to escape-proof it first.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2011 1:53:06 GMT 1
Sorry billy I don't know why you just said that.If you read the tutorial you would see it is plaster sprinkled with dirt or sand.
2 cms deep of loose soil is the usual but it wont have applied as it would go everywhere in the postage so you would. Receive a bag of soil and sods of grass with pieces of moss which would be all arranged by the customer.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2011 2:00:27 GMT 1
I did read the journal, but my memory is not perfect. I remember the sand being deeper than that, especially around the plants.
Another disadvantage of having a moist, humid foraging tank is that food would go mouldy very quickly.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2011 2:04:06 GMT 1
You are correct about the sand Billy but that was due to the plaster not being deep enough and I would change that next time around and humdity is caused by heat and water with little wind or bad ventilation. Which is not a problem with these tanks.
|
|
|
Post by Myrm on Feb 21, 2011 7:36:18 GMT 1
Hi Jaay Both Billy Bin Lid and ttttt Bin Lid have given some good advice there. Antstore and a British company called Ants Unearthed (AntsUK) are vary good and I have used both in the past (though have only brought ant farms from Antstore so far). ttttt Bin Lid mentions the 30x20cm farm,which is what I tend to use, and Myrmica have been vary happy in that in the past, though they will live in smaller set ups quite happily. Billy Bin Lid's 8000cm 3 tank would also be perfect. Give them what you can in the way of space.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2011 8:38:36 GMT 1
Id say Starter Set A from AntsUK or Antstore
|
|
|
Post by Myrm on Feb 21, 2011 9:06:51 GMT 1
Id say Starter Set A from AntsUK or Antstore Another good suggestion (and cheaper )
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2011 17:55:41 GMT 1
You are correct about the sand billy but that was due to the plaster not being deep enough and I would change that next time around and humdity is caused by heat and water with little wind or bad ventilation. Which is not a problem with these tanks Even if you have the lid off, it would probably still be quite humid just above the soil. However, the food should last a day or two if you put it on something to separate it from the substrate.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2011 20:45:23 GMT 1
Thanks for the replies guys! Could someone maybe link me to a good one? Preferably from a UK shop? I have had a look and seen a few but really worried I'll buy the wrong one!
Also @ttttt that would be excellent, can you link me to your journal!?
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2011 20:52:49 GMT 1
You can get a large Exo-Terra Faunarium from Pets at Home or Amazon, which would be perfect, and you wouldn't need an outworld as the ants could forage on the surface. Fill it 1/2 to 3/4 full with sand or soil (whichever you prefer), moisten it, and you're done. You could add plants if you like.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2011 21:15:14 GMT 1
You can get a large Exo-Terra Faunarium from Pets at Home or Amazon, which would be perfect, and you wouldn't need an outworld as the ants could forage on the surface. Fill it 1/2 to 3/4 full with sand or soil (whichever you prefer), moisten it, and you're done. You could add plants if you like. That is probably best for the ants, but say I want to see them? Chances are they will tunnel in the middle rather than the outsides yeh? So an outworld slim line tank that fits on to the main part would be best or? Thanks again!
|
|