12 replies to this topic

[mantisgal]

In my search for interesting ant stuff, I get ads for formicaria and other anting equipment from overseas (to me) sources as exported by AliBaba (EDIT: read: AliExpress) and the like.

I'd like to know if anyone has any experience with these flabbergastingly cheap formicaria: do I get what I pay for? Or is it the action of superlative mass production that makes them cost comparative pennies to other better known brands?

Edited by mantisgal, August 9 2021 - 10:00 PM.

[Manitobant]

Don’t buy from there. Cheap Chinese formicaria are notoriously bad for ants. The hydration is horrible and the formicariums are poorly made.

[SleepyAsianAnter]

Don’t buy from there. Cheap Chinese formicaria are notoriously bad for ants. The hydration is horrible and the formicariums are poorly made.

 

I have several colonies that are thriving in chinese nests, like bamboo tubes. 

[futurebird]

I have several colonies in nests from aliexpress. The vendors are not good at communicating but I have bought these nests and they are nice. 

 

https://www.aliexpre...scene":"23416"}

 

 

also this

 

https://www.aliexpre...scene":"23416"}

 

 

I've made many good purchases on that site.

[mantisgal]

Thank you very much for your input, good and bad. It is very helpful to me!

[mantisgal]

I have several colonies in nests from aliexpress. The vendors are not good at communicating but I have bought these nests and they are nice.

https://www.aliexpre...scene":"23416"}


also this

https://www.aliexpre...scene":"23416"}


I've made many good purchases on that site.

Lol very like what I was actually being tempted by so thanks for the review 🙂
I was thinking of something like this:
https://www.aliexpre...1351470778.html

Edited by mantisgal, August 9 2021 - 10:01 PM.

[SleepyAsianAnter]

 

I have several colonies in nests from aliexpress. The vendors are not good at communicating but I have bought these nests and they are nice.

https://www.aliexpre...scene":"23416"}


also this

https://www.aliexpre...scene":"23416"}


I've made many good purchases on that site.

Lol very like what I was actually being tempted by so thanks for the review
I was thinking of something like this:
https://www.aliexpre...1351470778.html

 

 

If I remember correctly not many species did well in those, I recommend this type

https://www.aliexpre...-049ebae98965-0

[futurebird]

 

I have several colonies in nests from aliexpress. The vendors are not good at communicating but I have bought these nests and they are nice.

https://www.aliexpre...scene":"23416"}


also this

https://www.aliexpre...scene":"23416"}


I've made many good purchases on that site.

Lol very like what I was actually being tempted by so thanks for the review
I was thinking of something like this:
https://www.aliexpre...1351470778.html

 

 

I would not recommend this one. But not because it's on aliexpress ... I'm just not a fan of acrylic nests.  I know they were really popular recently... but there are so many better options. 

 

But if you are OK with acrylic IDK it's probably fine. 

[cocdeshijie]

I do love combination of acrylic and bamboo tubes
 

 

 

 

Edited by cocdeshijie, August 10 2021 - 8:46 AM.

[futurebird]

That's very cool! My issue with acrylic is mostly about inconsistent humidity control ... clay surfaces are nice for ants. And the humidity controls in those tubes probably work just fine. 

[mantisgal]

I do love combination of acrylic and bamboo tubes



...

Those look really neat! Did you make them? If not, where did you source them from?

I really appreciate all the advice!

[MysticNanitic]

I've had success with these little acrylic/gypsum founding formicaria, they have water towers.  https://www.aliexpre....27424c4dvKjqfK  I give them a good rinse before use.  Cut a piece of the supplied tube to put between the nest and outworld, there can be a gap without it.  They've worked great for me for multiple species of Camponotus and Pogonomyrmex.  I love the THA stuff for display and larger colonies, but these cost less less than 20 bucks apiece.  I've been attaching a test tube cotton/water setup to the outworld port for hydration, and dropping a liquid feeder for sugar into the little outworld.  Be aware the lid can't move side to side, but is only held downward by gravity.  

 

I also like these little outworlds, nice clear acrylic and a built in lip around the top that with the help of some fluon is great for preventing escapes at feeding.  Acrylic with lid feeding box Feeding box Spider box Kun reptile box Ant nest Ant 12*6*9 cm|Insect Supplies| - AliExpress  I've started attaching these to my bigger THA nests for feeding rather than opening the main outworld every time.  The seller has them in 3 sizes, the tall one is a bit too tall to reach down into comfortably.  Looks like they have an even larger one now, I haven't tried that one yet.  I put a little grout and a nice rock in the bottom of them.

 

Aliexpress has been pretty hit or miss for me.  Sellers that have no or bad reviews should be avoided.  Stick with sellers you know others have used with success or that have a good long track record.  Sometimes what arrives is very different than the picture. Know that if something arrives broken or never arrives at all you'll get a partial refund at best. I've ordered four of the formicariums I linked without issue, and two of the acrylic boxes.

Edited by MysticNanitic, August 11 2021 - 11:18 AM.

[mantisgal]

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