I'll give that a try! My colonies are doing well, thanks!
They are all growing and thriving. Not as much growth as I would have expected, I guess, but they seem healthy. My Camponotus pennsylvanicus. queen is up to about 30 workers now, this time last year she had just 4 or 5 i I think. The lasius are multiplying at a faster pace.
My new queen, the honeypot (mexicanus) is amazing but I am just now having time to learn what she needs. She's in a test tube with some sand and 4 workers. I will give her a bit of time to rest and eat, since the workers are brand new, then figure out diapause for her, ,too.
I bet a 1 part vinegar/ 2 parts water mixture would remove any mineral deposits. How are your colonies doing, by the way?