12 replies to this topic

[Aidanthielman]

Hey guys, I have a colony of V. Pergandei which have out grown their old formicarium. I would like to move them into a permanent mor permanent home. I was wanting to make a desert terrarium For them. I was thinking about using anywhere between a 30-50 gallon tank to use as the base. And for the substrate I was gonna use a mixture of sand and clay. I would also probably add a few succulents to the tank. Would I need to make a drainage layer if I go with this and also is there any type of clay and sand mixture that you could recommend? Or should I scrap the idea and just go with something from THA?

[Ants_Dakota]

I have always loved making my own natural formicariums. if you have the time, the ants will appreciate them better. You also can use creativity when adding the plants and decor, which i love. So, it is up to you. They probably cost the same.

[ANTdrew]

Definitely put a drainage layer with gravel and natural charcoal covered by a layer of mesh. Most ants do way better in terrariums, so it’s a good choice. The downside is less visibility, but that isn’t a problem if you have a big colony of active ants. Another downside is that it is a bit harder to hibernate terrariums due to the size.
Look up SerpaDesign on YouTube for cool ideas and tutorials.

Edited by ANTdrew, September 14 2020 - 4:26 PM.

[Aidanthielman]

Thanks guys!

[OhNoNotAgain]

Looking forward to see what you build. My Veros are overflowing their Labyrinth and would probably love to move to your place.... 

By the way, at one point they developed the annoying harvester ant habit of destroying vegetation - except it was plastic vegetation - so if it's a succulent with small leaves be warned they might be chopping them off.

 

And luckily they don't need cool temp hibernation, so you're okay in that regard.

Edited by OhNoNotAgain, September 16 2020 - 3:21 PM.

[Aidanthielman]

Well I’m getting the tank tomorrow and I pretty much have everything else I need! I’m going be using succulents with thick leaves and maybe a small bush. If I can figure out how to post pictures I will definitely post a pic of the finished process. Also any suggestions on a website I could get some isopods/ springtails from?

[OhNoNotAgain]

Well I’m getting the tank tomorrow and I pretty much have everything else I need! I’m going be using succulents with thick leaves and maybe a small bush. If I can figure out how to post pictures I will definitely post a pic of the finished process. Also any suggestions on a website I could get some isopods/ springtails from?

 

There are lots of sites to get isopods and springtails from.... I've used eBay, Smugbug, Roly Poly Ranch (? I think?), and local reptile show (pre-COVID).

I wound up getting my springtails both from the reptile show and also from NEHERP.

 

I will say my Pogonomyrmex did NOT figure out springtails are edible, and the springtails may have stressed them.

[ANTdrew]

Springtails are basically everywhere. I bet you could find your own with some searching. Ponerinecat on this forum finds hundreds in CA. The best places I find to look are in compost bins, under old leaf litter, and under rocks and logs. Sometimes you can find some living in an ant colony already. Those are the best for obvious reasons!

[Aidanthielman]

Well some bad news... my dad had taken me to pick up the tank and on the way home we got hit by another car. The tank shattered
and long with some other stuff too. We are okay but the car is done for. I will update if I can get another tank.

Edited by Aidanthielman, September 17 2020 - 9:00 PM.

[ANTdrew]

Really sorry, man.

[Devi]

Well some bad news... my dad had taken me to pick up the tank and on the way home we got hit by another car. The tank shattered
and long with some other stuff too. We are okay but the car is done for. I will update if I can get another tank.

So sorry to hear that.  Really glad you guys are OK.  

[Aidanthielman]

Thanks

[Ants_Dakota]

That is terrible. I certainly hope you can get money to buy another one. I totally know how you would feel.