13 replies to this topic

[JMarcu]

I've recently built a couple large "ant farm" style formicariums. They are roughly 5'x4' with about 1/2" in between two panes of glass. I filled them 3/4 full with Pure brand decorative sand and successfully kept a group of Pogonomyrmex Occidentalis workers for some time. I'd love to now move into keeping colonies in the enclosures.

 

These are two completely separate enclosures so I'm looking for separate colonies for each.

 

I'll be the first to admit I'm very new to this so open to suggestions/info on similar species, sources, etc.

 

Thank you all

 

 

Edit 1:

Wanted to clarify that I did do my reading before introducing the workers, so by "successfully kept" I mean I took care of them, hydrated the sand, provided and kept clean the outer world, ventilation, feeding, etc. So your beloved colonies will not be haphazardly dumped into a sealed box of sand and left to die.

Edited by JMarcu, September 7 2022 - 5:14 PM.

[UtahAnts]

Those formicariums sound amazing, do you have any pics?

[JMarcu]

Those formicariums sound amazing, do you have any pics?

I do! sorry was out of town for a bit

 

 

[ANTdrew]

You could order some from Stateside Ants.
https://www.statesid...ex-occidentalis

Those formicariums look amazing. Please make a journal about this project!

[That_one_ant_guy]

You could order some from Stateside Ants.
https://www.statesid...ex-occidentalis

Those formicariums look amazing. Please make a journal about this project!

sadly stateside ants can't ship P. Occidentalis to Cali (yet)

[JMarcu]

 

You could order some from Stateside Ants.
https://www.statesid...ex-occidentalis

Those formicariums look amazing. Please make a journal about this project!

sadly stateside ants can't ship P. Occidentalis to Cali (yet)

 

Ah bummer Is there another Pogonomyrmex species that would be similarly tunnel-y and easily kept?

[TypeD]

 

Those formicariums sound amazing, do you have any pics?

I do! sorry was out of town for a bit

 

 

 

 

Looks very nice! If you're able to, I'd suggest adding some clay soil (like this one) into the medium, rather than just sand. I've had success incorporating it into the substrate mix in my vivariums; it does a great job of helping the soil hold structure and moisture, and preventing tunnel collapse. I imagine it wouldn't be easy to rescue your ants if an accident happened in this type of setup, so something to consider.

 

As far as Pogonomyrmex colonies go, looks like TarheelAnts has numerous colonies available, including this ants only one. Apparently they need a state permit to ship to California, but from the instructions on THA's website it seems easy to apply for.

[JMarcu]

 

 

Those formicariums sound amazing, do you have any pics?

I do! sorry was out of town for a bit

 

 

 

 

Looks very nice! If you're able to, I'd suggest adding some clay soil (like this one) into the medium, rather than just sand. I've had success incorporating it into the substrate mix in my vivariums; it does a great job of helping the soil hold structure and moisture, and preventing tunnel collapse. I imagine it wouldn't be easy to rescue your ants if an accident happened in this type of setup, so something to consider.

 

As far as Pogonomyrmex colonies go, looks like TarheelAnts has numerous colonies available, including this ants only one. Apparently they need a state permit to ship to California, but from the instructions on THA's website it seems easy to apply for.

 

 

Thanks for the suggestion on the clay soil! I'll give it a shot.

 

Also thanks for the THA rec. Through some other great recs on the forum I ended up deciding to go with P. Rugosus which is I'm told is still a good beginner species but more readily found all over CA.

[ANTdrew]

Don’t pay for clay. It’s basically everywhere.

[ZTYguy]

If you want some P. rugosus you can find them all over formiculture. Just a few suggestions of vendors would be reignofrage, b_rad, kadinb or kadants.com, and last but not least AntsEmporium.com

[TypeD]

 

 

 

Those formicariums sound amazing, do you have any pics?

I do! sorry was out of town for a bit

 

 

 

 

Looks very nice! If you're able to, I'd suggest adding some clay soil (like this one) into the medium, rather than just sand. I've had success incorporating it into the substrate mix in my vivariums; it does a great job of helping the soil hold structure and moisture, and preventing tunnel collapse. I imagine it wouldn't be easy to rescue your ants if an accident happened in this type of setup, so something to consider.

 

As far as Pogonomyrmex colonies go, looks like TarheelAnts has numerous colonies available, including this ants only one. Apparently they need a state permit to ship to California, but from the instructions on THA's website it seems easy to apply for.

 

 

Thanks for the suggestion on the clay soil! I'll give it a shot.

 

Also thanks for the THA rec. Through some other great recs on the forum I ended up deciding to go with P. Rugosus which is I'm told is still a good beginner species but more readily found all over CA.

 

 

Great choice! That's a beautiful species.

[T.C.]

Is that glass you cut yourself or did you order it custom made? Only recently did I find fairly priced options as far as customized glass. 

[JMarcu]

Is that glass you cut yourself or did you order it custom made? Only recently did I find fairly priced options as far as customized glass. 

 

I went to a local glass shop to have it cut custom cut for me. With that size and weird shape I definitely didn't want to attempt that on my own haha. If you're going with a rectangular shape you may be able to find pre-cut online or at a local shop and then build your frame around what you find.

 

I went with 1/8" thick tempered glass for this one but after living with it for a bit I should have gone with 3/16 or 1/4 thick because of the large size - when the sand settles it's starting to bow out the middle of the glass slightly, but my faces are 4-5' across so unless you're going that large (more than 3' I'd guess) 1/8" should be plenty

[pauldandler]

are you secretly mark rober

Edited by pauldandler, September 30 2022 - 5:33 PM.