7 replies to this topic

[CANant]

Has anyone done an outworld with a sanded grout base and a soil/peatmoss mix top layer? I want it to look natural almost forest like. I don’t want the ants moving in so that’s why I am using grout and the soil layer will be thin. I want to add driftwood, stones and dried mosses (and maybe some fake plant material). I plan to add springtails as well. Should I add any other clean up crew creatures? I’m assuming I will still need to clean up some waste do don’t want it too cluttered.
Any thoughts or tips before I begin?
If you want to share an image of yours that’s cool too.

[AntJohnny]

I like to use pill bugs and spring tails for my terrariums. I know there are alot of insect species that can help clean up. I'm not too sure on what ones could be toxic or not so I try not to add anything that I'm not sure about.

I think the grout could work with soil on top. As long as it is dry most of the time. A little water won't hurt but it will start to get mildewy and moldy. With spring tails living on the soil it would probaly have to stay moist most of the time for them. I'm not sure of any other way you could do it tho. I'm sure someone on the forums would know what to do. One thing that may work is after the grout cures. You might be able to find some paint that is safe to use around bugs. You could put a few layers of paint on the grout to stop moisture from touching the grout. Then you could place your substrate layer on top. I made a bunch of plaster of Paris nests. I covered all the plaster in non toxic paint to make them easier to clean and help with mold outbreaks. So far I haven't had any signs of mold or mildew.

[AntJohnny]

Yeah one more thing I like to use for keeping my tanks clean is mealworms and darkling beetles. And I also will put in a few young dubia roaches. Baby roaches are pretty small but after 5 or 6 months they are pretty big so if it's a small setup it wouldn't be ideal.

[CANant]

I like to use pill bugs and spring tails for my terrariums. I know there are alot of insect species that can help clean up. I'm not too sure on what ones could be toxic or not so I try not to add anything that I'm not sure about.

I think the grout could work with soil on top. As long as it is dry most of the time. A little water won't hurt but it will start to get mildewy and moldy. With spring tails living on the soil it would probaly have to stay moist most of the time for them. I'm not sure of any other way you could do it tho. I'm sure someone on the forums would know what to do. One thing that may work is after the grout cures. You might be able to find some paint that is safe to use around bugs. You could put a few layers of paint on the grout to stop moisture from touching the grout. Then you could place your substrate layer on top. I made a bunch of plaster of Paris nests. I covered all the plaster in non toxic paint to make them easier to clean and help with mold outbreaks. So far I haven't had any signs of mold or mildew.

Wow thanks! Never considered mold or mildew being an issue on the grout. Good points!

[CANant]

Yeah one more thing I like to use for keeping my tanks clean is mealworms and darkling beetles. And I also will put in a few young dubia roaches. Baby roaches are pretty small but after 5 or 6 months they are pretty big so if it's a small setup it wouldn't be ideal.

Unfortunately Dubia roaches are illegal where I live. Would meal worms or the beetles kill the ants?
My setup will be small right now but when the colony is bigger I will make my own and will have more space for items and bugs too.

[AntJohnny]

I don't think the beetles would hurt the ants. But the ants will hurt the mealworms and beetles when they are hungry. Some of my colonies tho won't bother the beetles at all. As long as I keep the ants fed.

[CANant]

For anyone that’s interested...now it’s just drying. I have 3 miniature iris plants spread out in the back. I will probably have to remove them if they even survive but we’ll see. I’m worried it will be too cluttered but if so I can always remove everything except the wood and rocks. What do you think?

Edited by CANant, April 6 2020 - 7:23 PM.

[Canadant]

Looks awesome! Nothing better than a fresh outworld. Looks great. I'd scavenge/hunt/kill/dismember there.