10 replies to this topic

[Devi]

I have a tetra colony with about twenty nanitics in a test tube.  They have absolutely NO water left.  None.  How do you fix this???

Edited by Devi, September 16 2020 - 2:53 PM.

[Kaelwizard]

I have a tetra colony with about twenty nanitics in a test tube. They have absolutely NO water left. None. How do you fix this???

In assuming that because your asking this you don’t have any test tubes. Maybe put them in a temporary holding container or their outworld if the have one, refill the test tube, then move them back.

Edited by Kaelwizard, September 16 2020 - 1:34 PM.

[Devi]

 

I have a tetra colony with about twenty nanitics in a test tube. They have absolutely NO water left. None. How do you fix this???

In assuming that because your asking this you don’t have any test tubes. Maybe put them in a temporary holding container or their outworld if the have one, refill the test tube, then move them back.

 

Yes, I don't have any extras.  I will try this.  Do you think I can kind of shake them out?  Or try to get them to go willingly...  What container are you thinking, like a Tupperware stlye, or just a small collection vial?  Probably the latter?

[Kaelwizard]

Anything the whole colony can fit it and won’t easily escape when being put into and in general. I would dump them and get the brood with a wet q tip if it doesn’t fall out either.

Edited by Kaelwizard, September 16 2020 - 1:46 PM.

[Antkeeper01]

anything airtight, you might want to put a snack to distract them from escaping, and you should put a barrier around the lid for safe measure. I haven't done this before but I will try it soon because the testubes are running out and that will be soon maybe...

[Devi]

That was a trainwreck  Well, despite my best efforts, I killed most of the colony.  I had to try and one by one get the ants back in the test tube by getting them to get on a q-tip and then transferring them from their container to the clean test tube.  The HATED the new test tube and all tried to escape so when I tried to put one in, another would run out, and I ended up crushing a couple.  For the ones that survived, they got so excited about the fresh water that they started drinking loads and then drowned themselves.  I have about 5 alive nanitics now, not sure if the queen will make it. 

               

                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                             RIP

[Kaelwizard]

Oh no! With me it was easier because I had a genesis insert that I just pulled out. My test tube broke from the pressure of the wet cotton though so I put mine in a mini hearth.

[BlueLance213]

In case you ever have the same sort of problem, a pipette can serve as a short reprieve, using it to moisten the cotton or if you can push it through and leave spare water behind the water.

 

I had a test tube setup I made and the cotton was packed too tightly that it actually would let more water through it, so that's what I have been doing for a few weeks XD

[Devi]

In case you ever have the same sort of problem, a pipette can serve as a short reprieve, using it to moisten the cotton or if you can push it through and leave spare water behind the water.

 

I had a test tube setup I made and the cotton was packed too tightly that it actually would let more water through it, so that's what I have been doing for a few weeks XD

This is a great idea, thank you.   I will definitely consider it in the future.    I probably couldn't have done it this time because they were all huddled on the cotton, but it is still a great idea.  

[Ants_Dakota]

i bet they were so small they got stuck in a tiny bit of water at the bottom of the tube and drowned. Happens often with me, i am sad to say.

[Devi]

i bet they were so small they got stuck in a tiny bit of water at the bottom of the tube and drowned. Happens often with me, i am sad to say.

Yeah, that's exactly what happened.  With any larger species they would have probably been fine, but tetramorium are just so small.