8 replies to this topic

[dean_k]

http://www.tarheelan..._chamber_i.html

 

I received THA evolution chamber today and I have to say I like this a lot more than growth chamber. It does, however, cost 4 times more than a growth chamber.

 

I don't think the actual area ants will use is much bigger than what a growth chamber offers. However, it has a much bigger outworld which can only be a pro.

 

I also opted for light-colored substrate because I was having really hard time seeing where ants were with dark substrate. Especially in case of my Lasicus colony, nanitics were only 2mm in size and they had almost same color as substrate. I could not see nanitics in normal light unless focused really hard.

 

An evolution chamber is twice taller and about twice in estate. Queen's chamber is also about 50% bigger and has a water tower in it which makes the chamber more attractive for most ants.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I moved my Lasius colony into the evolution chamber because I was having a real hard time seeing activities. I dumped them in outworld along with brood and they moved in about an hour later.

 

I think THA should offer an option to have black or red transparent lid for the queen's chamber because I think ants prefer shades over bright places. I don't think such an option should exit for growth chambers because they are small enough to be kept in dark but an evolution chamber is fairly large and I have no choice but to leave it out in open.

 

Right now I am using a water soaked foam to act as a makeshift lid in order to provide shade.

[Mercutia]

I'm confused. How exactly are you suppose to see the queen in this? That white foamy bit seems a little bit inhibiting to me.

[dean_k]

How? As easy as looking into it? The walls are transparent after all. It comes with a lid but I am using the foam to provide shade. That's all.

[LAnt]

Why foam or how does it work? Why not a black paper cutout

Edited by LAnt, February 5 2015 - 9:45 PM.

[Mercutia]

Ahh, I thought the foam was naturally the lid and was like, "well that's impractical". I don't want to break my neck to watch my ants and staring at them via only the side seems a little counter intuitive.

[dean_k]

Why foam or how does it work? Why not a black paper cutout

 

To provide even more moisture. The foam is soaked.

[dspdrew]

Is this supposed to be for raising a queen in?

[dean_k]

I don't see why not. It's basically the same as a growth chamber but a much bigger outworld.

[Crystals]

This would be good for stubborn semi-clastral queens.

 

You could always get some red tape or red plastic and tape it to the lid if you wanted to customize it.