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Post by Deleted on Oct 1, 2012 8:29:59 GMT 1
Hello there, ive been doing alot of reading in to this lately, the problem i did the reading after i built my ant farm, ive gone for a traditional style, its 70cm x 50cm and the gap is 1.7cm, Im wanting to keep messor barbarus ants but im slightly worried that my set up is going to be too small, im going to connect a feeding arena to it once the colony gets going, any suggestions will be appreciated, also im worried for things like mold and so, i keep reading that others have had issues with it, all my substrate ive mixed my self part sand and a clay soil thats found here in Spain, before puting it into the tank ive baked it in the oven for 30min at 250 degrees, also all water i will use will be boiled 1st, i think that should help a little, Thanx
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Post by Deleted on Oct 1, 2012 10:58:35 GMT 1
I am only new here as well but welcome drant good luck with everything and i am sure some one here will be able to answer all your questions. I have herd you get quicker response if you offer beer
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Post by Deleted on Oct 1, 2012 16:19:22 GMT 1
Hello there, ive been doing alot of reading in to this lately, the problem i did the reading after i built my ant farm, ive gone for a traditional style, its 70cm x 50cm and the gap is 1.7cm, Im wanting to keep messor barbarus ants but im slightly worried that my set up is going to be too small, im going to connect a feeding arena to it once the colony gets going, any suggestions will be appreciated, also im worried for things like mold and so, i keep reading that others have had issues with it, all my substrate ive mixed my self part sand and a clay soil thats found here in Spain, before puting it into the tank ive baked it in the oven for 30min at 250 degrees, also all water i will use will be boiled 1st, i think that should help a little, Thanx 70cm by 50cm! That's definitely okay! If your colony grows fast that'll hold them for a good couple of years maybe more. I wouldn't worry to much about watering as Messor's don't really need it. It also can start germination of plant seeds that can get annoying. Mold shouln't be to much of a problem because ants are quite hygienic. But I suppose mold can grow, so it is best to bake it first. Glad to know you have done some research as some people just come along and expect all of the answers straight away which anoyes some people. (Me. ).
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Post by Deleted on Oct 1, 2012 17:19:37 GMT 1
I read messors need a quite a lot of water, so they can have large amounts of savliva to mix with seeds to make there bread. and the usualy keep there seeds quite deep, not so deep that it is damp, but not so far up that rain water get through.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 1, 2012 18:19:46 GMT 1
Oh interesting, I would just give them a supply of water rather than watering the whole nest.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 1, 2012 21:34:22 GMT 1
here my tank or what ever you call them, i forget, lol. Almost finished, just have the lid to make now, i have 2 outlet tubes that i can connect something too, im going to fill the soil alittle higher i think too so its just under the outlets Attachments:
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Post by Deleted on Oct 1, 2012 21:37:01 GMT 1
Thanx for the advise, please keep it coming.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 1, 2012 22:15:32 GMT 1
Vary nice! I would make sure the sand/clay level to the tubes leading out. Also, if you can try and put some stones at the bottom of the farm the stones will retain the moisture and realise it slowely out through out the nest.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 1, 2012 22:25:22 GMT 1
thanx, im alittle worried that the mound the ants make will over flow? i hear that they will take the dirt out and depose of it in the foraging arena, but i dont know for sure, yer the clay stones at the bottom seemed a good idea but i didnt know where to get them from so ive already started to fill it up now and it will be a real nightmare getting it all back out, Im trying to moisten the bottom now so the dirt glues together better but then i will let the bottom half dry out so they can sore there seeds there, ill try and only dampen the top harlf
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