15 replies to this topic

[KBant]

I wanted to create a better/cheaper option for starting harvester ant colonies for the upcoming season.

 

Buying mini hearths for all my potential future colonies isn't the best option so I wanted to experiment with different options. 

 

Here I mixed some non sanded grout, added in a little fine sand. I have 20mm test tubes. I poured in a little. it was thick as it went in so I advanced the grout a bit more with a bamboo skewer and spread it around the test tube. I left ~1 inch in the back uncovered. Then I poured in fine white sand and gently tilted it around until the grout was covered. 

 

Hopefully this can produce better results for starting ants like pogonomyrmex. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

thoughts?

[drtrmiller]

What is the problem you were intending to solve, and how does this accomplish that?

[KBant]

What is the problem you were intending to solve, and how does this accomplish that?

I’ve seen many people say that their Pogonomyrmex don’t do well in test tube setups. Perhaps the round smooth glass bottom is the issue, not sure but there is a problem with simple test tube setups as many new colonies fail. Maybe they just have a high fail rate but doing nothing and playing the odds isn’t going to do help anything. To try and emulate a more natural setup, with a more textured and leveled surface I wanted to try this experiment to help increase odds. To answer your next question, no this is not a true scientific experiment and I don’t have numbers to discuss success rate with regular test tube setups. I just want to try a different option to help with a problem I heard about.

[Barristan]

It could also help distribute moisture better inside the tube, I like the idea, also gives the test tube a more natural look.

[KBant]

It could also help distribute moisture better inside the tube, I like the idea, also gives the test tube a more natural look.

 

hmm i hope it doesn't make it too steamy in there by wicking a lot of water from the reservoir. haha lets see what happens

[Scrixx]

How are you going to put water and plug it with cotton? Is the grout removable or what will you be doing? 

[dspdrew]

How are you going to put water and plug it with cotton? Is the grout removable or what will you be doing? 

 

I was kind of wondering the same thing. How will these be hydrated?

[YsTheAnt]

How are you going to put water and plug it with cotton? Is the grout removable or what will you be doing?

I was kind of wondering the same thing. How will these be hydrated?

I think that if you made the grout portion a bit smaller, then you could hydrate like a regular test tube setup. Just compact the cotton more than normal, and when it gets to the end of the grout it will expand and there ya go!

[KBant]

Just gonna pour in water and plug it up like normal.

[StayLoki]

I think they're trying to say the sand may act as a medium and wick the water out constantly ?

Have you tried it yet?
I think they look amazing!! And I want a few!! But also concerned about the hydration.

[StayLoki]

Will you set one up and keep it with a regular one over a week or so, and note the evap?
And then I can buy a few??? Lmao

[KBant]

so what happened was that since the water and cotton touched the grout, the grout stayed constantly wet and the water started to run out fast. I will make another one, and leave a half inch or so of glass so the cotton doesn't touch the grout and therefore not wick all the water. 

[KBant]

hmm looks like Tar Heel Ants copied me!!!

 

https://tarheelants....st-tube-inserts

 

[TennesseeAnts]

You should have patented it.

[Leo]

hmm looks like Tar Heel Ants copied me!!!

 

https://tarheelants....st-tube-inserts

 

lol I may or may not have done something similar before you XD

[akaant]

A "meth pipe" might be a solution but you will have to watch the water levels.