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Long vs short Test Tubes?

Started By Jonny8040 , Jun 2 2022 1:52 PM

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6 replies to this topic

#1 Offline Jonny8040 - Posted June 2 2022 - 1:52 PM

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Hey guys,
Recently ordered some new test tubes offline. When I got them they were way shorter than what I was expecting as they are about 4 inches long vs the 6 inch ones I was used to. That got me thinking, do you guys prefer short or long test tubes?


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In Jesus,
Jonny

#2 Offline ANTdrew - Posted June 2 2022 - 4:12 PM

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Longer is better.
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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.

#3 Offline Jonny8040 - Posted June 2 2022 - 5:21 PM

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Longer is better.


Is that just for space or water retention?


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In Jesus,
Jonny

#4 Offline ColAnt735 - Posted June 2 2022 - 5:34 PM

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Longer is better.


Is that just for space or water retention?


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The longer tube is better because it can be used in both options you already stated. If you want a larger colony in a test tube there is more space for the colony, but if you want the water reservoir to last longer the longer tube can provide that as well. Simply due to the fact that more water can be stored.


Edited by ColAnt735, June 2 2022 - 5:36 PM.

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"If an ant carries an object a hundred times it's weight,you can carry burdens many times your size.

#5 Offline Jonny8040 - Posted June 2 2022 - 5:38 PM

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Longer is better.

Is that just for space or water retention?


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It can be from both. If you want a larger colony in a test tube there is more space for the colony, but if you want the water reservoir to last longer the longer tube can provide that as well. Simply due to the fact that more water can be stored.

Good deal. I only paid $13 for 30 of them so I guess they’ll serve for founding until I can move them into hearth style formicarium. I make my own which makes it affordable for me to move colonies into formicaria soon. I’ve always heard ants just do better in a more natural formicarium vs a test tube. I don't know the whole truth but it definitely makes sense.
In Jesus,
Jonny

#6 Offline sL0wNsteady - Posted June 2 2022 - 8:30 PM

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Longer tubes also makes it easier to feed. Since most colonies stay close to the water, you have more time to give them food before the workers get to the entrance.


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#7 Offline ZTYguy - Posted June 3 2022 - 10:38 AM

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I suggest getting test tubes from kartersci.com You can get a bunch for really good prices and they are good quality. You can also choose your preference of diameter and they are all typical 100 mm long.


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