6 replies to this topic

[ariaant]

Hello all,

 

I am thinking about eventually buying a Tar heels ants fortress for my growing V. pergandei colony.  I have them in a minhearth XL currently.  My only problem with the mini hearth is that i have to add water every 7 days, which is a lot more frequent than i expected (maybe because i heat my colony to 88F and/or because its dry where i live).  

 

For the people who have used it, does the fortress have similar watering problems? Any other problems? Would you recommend it?

 

Thanks in advance

[TennesseeAnts]

I %100 percent recommend the Fortress. I have a 4,000 worker colony of Formica pacifica in a Fortress, Mini Hearth XL and Discus all connected together, and no watering problems have ever been noticed. Don't over water it to where the inside of the nest is wet. Only fill it to 3/4 of the way full, and refill it if it gets lower than half. The nest mates provide drinking water for the ants.

[Unfrozen]

I %100 percent recommend the Fortress. I have a 4,000 worker colony of Formica pacifica in a Fortress, Mini Hearth XL and Discus all connected together, and no watering problems have ever been noticed. Don't over water it to where the inside of the nest is wet. Only fill it to 3/4 of the way full, and refill it if it gets lower than half. The nest mates provide drinking water for the ants.

where can i get cheaper formicarium? I don't want to make a diy ytong because i keep tetras and Camponotus I'm currently going to use tubs and tubes

[ANTdrew]

Tubs and tubes is perfect for Tetras. You could also look up the bead container tutorial by Crystals on here. That’s cheap and functional.

[ariaant]

I %100 percent recommend the Fortress. I have a 4,000 worker colony of Formica pacifica in a Fortress, Mini Hearth XL and Discus all connected together, and no watering problems have ever been noticed. Don't over water it to where the inside of the nest is wet. Only fill it to 3/4 of the way full, and refill it if it gets lower than half. The nest mates provide drinking water for the ants.

How often do you have to water your set up?

[TennesseeAnts]

I %100 percent recommend the Fortress. I have a 4,000 worker colony of Formica pacifica in a Fortress, Mini Hearth XL and Discus all connected together, and no watering problems have ever been noticed. Don't over water it to where the inside of the nest is wet. Only fill it to 3/4 of the way full, and refill it if it gets lower than half. The nest mates provide drinking water for the ants.

How often do you have to water your set up?

I don't. My friend that is keeping them waters them every two weeks.

[Acutus]

I just bought a Mini Hearth XL and it seems pretty good. I'll keep an eye on the water thing and see what my experiences are and post back here!  I've also talked at length to the owner of Tar Heels and he's really customer oriented and knowledgeable and keeps ants in his own products. If you think there's an issue give him a call I'll bet he'd be more than happy to talk to you.

Edited by Acutus, July 10 2019 - 6:52 PM.