25 replies to this topic

[Kaelwizard]

On the website, he recommends type 3 formicaria for Tetramorium (and other destructive species) specifically, so someone needs to let him know about that if they haven't already.

[ANTdrew]

THA is the best. If you intend the nest for tiny ants or escape artists, you just really need to make sure you order a nest for tiny species. I learned this the hard way.

[Chickalo]

 

Okay, so I emailed Mack. And he said that the problem was that i was keeping tetramorium inside a formicarium meant for larger species. I knew tetramorium was destructive, but I never knew that it was that destructive!

 

From what I have heard, you DO have to pay attention to the ant size when ordering. It confused me the first time, too, when I was a total noob and didn't know what "small" vs "medium" vs "large" meant. But I've heard elsewhere that you DO have to order for small if you have a small species like Tetramorium.

 

P.S. You should see what Tetramorium does with some of the acrylic formicaria from China. They just waltz right through the gaps and go visiting everyone, esp. any species also housed in acrylic formicaria.

Oh yeah! I also had them sneaking out of a US-made competitor's formicaria. The lid wasn't totally tight-fitting in all the corners unless I was super, super, super careful every single time. Once I started using mineral oil barrier it got better, though.

 

yeah tetramorium are very good escapers (or so I've heard 0:)

[Daniel]

I have a colony of Solenopsis cf. molesta that just found a way into the water tower of their inception chamber and hundreds of them drowned. I told Mack ahead of time what species it was for and he made it specifically for tiny ants. I love the formicarium, but I think that water towers just may not be suitable for some tiny species.

[MinigunL5]

I've read what some people have posted here about the water towers. Eventually I'm going to move my Solenopsis molesta into a Mini Hearth. Might it be a good idea to silicone the mesh edges?

[Devi]

Probably wouldn't hurt.  I'd recommend a bifurcated mini hearth for molestas, or even better, an inception chamber.  Make sure to tell Mack that it is for molestas.