920 replies to this topic

[InsideAntz]

Hi LAnt, yes, they are honey bees and they were pretty calm when he opened the box, just moved around slow and only a few flew around.  

[Crystals]

Here is a picture of a horizontal glass nest.  It sits flat and has coarse sand to prevent tunnel collapses.  This Myrmica colony has enjoyed it for 3 months.

Link on how to build it is here: http://www.formicult...nd-formicarium/

 

Edited by Crystals, December 28 2017 - 2:53 PM.

[dspdrew]

I just realized I never shared these here.

 

 

 

 

Some small ones.

 

 

 

[Crystals]

Here are my latest two experiments.  Grout nests, but I added a small strip of chamois cloth that touches the watering tunnel and runs just behind the tunnels to the opposite corner.  Hydration has been much more even, and it is very effective. No issues with the grout. I plan on using it from now on.

 

I just moved my Aphaenogaster colony into this nest:

 

 

 

A Formica neorufibarbis colony that outgrew its test tube.  There is no tubing, the outworld sits in a 1cm deep slot that it just fits in, with a small ball of clay on the opposite side ensuring a snug fit.  I can easily plug the nest entrance and remove and clean the outworld.

 

Edited by Crystals, December 28 2017 - 2:55 PM.

[dspdrew]

Cool. I haven't even tried the chamois idea out myself yet. Glad to see it's working well.

[Pulliamj]

My first attempt. All I need to do is put the glass on. I was contemplating giving it a fine coat of sand to give it a more natural look.

[Pulliamj]

Something kind of like this maybe.

[Jonathan21700]

How do you make it stick?

[Pulliamj]

I will probably smear a light layer of clear silicone sprinkle sand shake around let dry then dump loose out. But it may be better to leave it bare. That's what I was really asking. For observing and keeping the best sanitary sand or no sand?

Edited by Pulliamj, April 8 2015 - 12:45 PM.

[Crystals]

Sand is more natural, and if the colony is a species that has formic acid it can help absorb it.

Either way can work.

[Jonathan21700]

I do my nests now with a coat of dirt. I think ants prefer it like that.

[Pulliamj]

Will the workers bring water to the queen? If I put the water in the out world?

[Crystals]

Will the workers bring water to the queen? If I put the water in the out world?

If it is just drinking water yes. 

If you are after humidity for brood, it is almost gaurenteed to be insufficient.  You will need a way to hydrate it, even if it is just a water soaked cotton filled chamber to provide humidity.

[Pulliamj]

[Pulliamj]

This is what I was thinking about wood formicarium.

Let them tunnel the rest.

Edited by Pulliamj, April 10 2015 - 8:33 AM.

[Crystals]

Perhaps you might want to start a new thread on the forum and we can go into details about all the potential problems and other things.

This could turn into a longer discussion and I don't really want to clutter up the picture thread with too much discussion.

I will happily link whatever topic you create to this list so that those who are interested can follow it later.

 

Edit: Thank you - here is the link to the thread.  http://www.formicult...eas/#entry16172

[dspdrew]

I found this while checking back-links to the forum. Someone linked to us on the second page. There's some pretty interesting formicarium designs there.

 

http://antclub.org/node/5189

 

Edit: I'll update this thread later with all the pictures from the thread on that forum.

Edited by dspdrew, April 11 2015 - 10:34 AM.

[AntLover101]

Wow! There is a lot of really cool formicatiums on that website. If I were you I would check it out guys.

[Nexus]

Yes indeed ! Thanks for updating the subject .

I'll soon show you one of my nests...

[AntLover101]

Cool! Can't wait to see it...