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Test Tube or Starter Formicarium

Started By Froggy , Jun 1 2020 12:24 PM

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#1 Offline Froggy - Posted June 1 2020 - 12:24 PM

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Today I just got my Type III Mini Hearth from THA, and I was wondering, since its in the founding formicaria section, whether it would be better to start a colony in the Mini Hearth or a Test Tube setup

 

Edit: I would put a Camponotus queen in it


Edited by Froggy, June 1 2020 - 12:25 PM.

#2 Offline Jimmydave937911 - Posted June 1 2020 - 12:43 PM

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Froggy, I’m pretty new to ant keeping, but have been on forums constantly for the last couple of months. From what I’ve read the test tube does seem to be the best setup to get everything going. It’s the perfect setup really, a small space, water, humidity and easy to pop a bit of food in, if and when your queen should need it. And also, cheaper lol!

#3 Offline ANTdrew - Posted June 1 2020 - 12:54 PM

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A mini-hearth would work well for starting Camponotus. That would save you the hassle of moving them later. Just be sure to keep the nestmate full for her to drink.
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"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#4 Offline Froggy - Posted June 1 2020 - 1:17 PM

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A mini-hearth would work well for starting Camponotus. That would save you the hassle of moving them later. Just be sure to keep the nestmate full for her to drink.

Ok thanks, also, the inside of the formicarium smells a little, is that harmful to the ants? I'm currently airing it out, and its making the smell dissipate, so I don't think it will be an issue but idk


#5 Offline ANTdrew - Posted June 1 2020 - 1:59 PM

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If you just ordered it, you need to give it time to fully cure.
"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#6 Offline RushmoreAnts - Posted June 1 2020 - 2:04 PM

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A mini-hearth would work well for starting Camponotus. That would save you the hassle of moving them later. Just be sure to keep the nestmate full for her to drink.

Ok thanks, also, the inside of the formicarium smells a little, is that harmful to the ants? I'm currently airing it out, and its making the smell dissipate, so I don't think it will be an issue but idk

 

It probably won't be an issue, especially if you are airing it out. 


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"God made..... all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds (including ants). And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:25 NIV version

 

Keeping:

Tetramorium immigrans

Formica cf. pallidefulva, cf. incerta, cf. argentea

Formica cf. aserva, cf. subintegra

Pogonomyrmex occidentalis

Pheidole bicarinata

Myrmica sp.

Lasius neoniger, brevicornis

#7 Offline Luke_in_AZ - Posted June 12 2020 - 2:39 PM

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Froggy, Saw you're in good ol Arizona also. Yeah!  Where did you get your queen for this setup?  I'm hoping to find a local desert Camponotus queen this year.

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#8 Offline Froggy - Posted June 12 2020 - 6:48 PM

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Froggy, Saw you're in good ol Arizona also. Yeah!  Where did you get your queen for this setup?  I'm hoping to find a local desert Camponotus queen this year.

 

I found a few Camponotus queens in my backyard at around 9:00-10:00 PM, I haven't looked any other times though so I don't know if there would be more later at night or in the morning


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