28 replies to this topic

[Topgun757]

Nice this is awesome! That's a good way to get them moved. Looks like they've settled in pretty well. Good thing too as there was so much mould in the old one! Looking forward to watching them grow! I think I'll maybe start my own post now...I got some myrmica queens and this has been pretty inspiring.

That’s awesome to hear! I will be sure to follow along and I am glad I could be a source of inspiration!

Edited by Topgun757, May 30 2024 - 9:08 PM.

[Topgun757]

I just set up a heat cable for them, though I wasn’t originally planning to as my room gets fairly warm I noticed the pupae taking a long time to develop and once I got blinds installed in my room (we just moved into this house) it would get much cooler, so I chose to let the ants decide and see how they behave with one.
Needless to say they love the added warmth, and I’m glad to have moved them as the temperature gradient was far easier to set up. The instant the cable was plugged in and before I could even feel its warmth they had already started moving their brood towards the heat!
The blinds, never thought I’d say this about something used to cover windows but they’re pretty neat!

Edited by Topgun757, May 31 2024 - 3:21 PM.

[Izzy]

Oh man I love the idea of using legos! I always put my test tubes up to formicaria that way but I have to find a note book or some random object in my house that is the right height, but legos are perfect and they even prevent rolling! You're a genius!

[Topgun757]

Oh man I love the idea of using legos! I always put my test tubes up to formicaria that way but I have to find a note book or some random object in my house that is the right height, but legos are perfect and they even prevent rolling! You're a genius!

Thanks! I’ve been thinking of buying some more 2x4s and 2x2s to make test tube racks like this because they work so well! You can even make an angled rack with flat 2x4s, it has worked very well for me.

Edited by Topgun757, June 1 2024 - 8:29 AM.

[Stubyvast]

Wow yah lego sounds like an awesome idea! I've been using my own 3d printed stuff for it, but that's quite a hassle. I think I'll give it a try, especially when taking photos so they don't roll around and disturb the ants too much. Great advice!

[Topgun757]

Wow, in one month this colony has grown EXPLOSIVELY, this is some of the fastest growth of a Camponotus colony I’ve heard of and the fact that my colony is the one doing it feels awesome! The heat has definitely helped them along with being fed quite often. Within the space of a month they have gone from having 7 workers and a small brood pile to having around 30-40 workers (they move so much it’s hard to count), 2 majors and 1 super major with another coming any day now. The queen has been pumping out eggs and their foraging response has grown from at most 2 timid workers to more than 12 at a time coming up!
The density within the nest even with many workers foraging.
An attempt at a closeup of the super major.
And finally, the queen who started it all!

Attached Images

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Edited by Topgun757, July 3 2024 - 8:26 PM.

[Mushu]

 

Album: Formicarium Setup

2 images

0 comments

Oh man I love the idea of using legos! I always put my test tubes up to formicaria that way but I have to find a note book or some random object in my house that is the right height, but legos are perfect and they even prevent rolling! You're a genius!

Thanks! I’ve been thinking of buying some more 2x4s and 2x2s to make test tube racks like this because they work so well! You can even make an angled rack with flat 2x4s, it has worked very well for me.

 

 

 I actually use Lekos(play on words for copycat Legos) as my base/false floor, it's cheaper than real legos. 

 

I had some humidity/temp issues I ran into that may or not be an issue at your location from not fully covering up the section where the formicarium sat(there were some open gaps). As the heating cable was getting quite hot I wanted to vent that way but seems like it caused my honeypots to have some deformed workers. I knew it was my setup as both my colonies had the same issue, where one of them that was in a tubs and tubes had no such issues until I put it on the same setup as my first colony(which had the issue from the getgo in that setup). I have since resolved that by filling the area completely. 

 

I was going to use a pine board but I knew I wasn't going to get my temp/humidity the way I like it so I decided on something more flexible. 

 

 

 

Edited by Mushu, July 5 2024 - 12:42 AM.

[T.C.]

These are my favorite species and are one of the coolest colonies when established. Good luck.

[michiganantsinmyyard]

I’ve got a novaeboracensis and pennsylvanicus queen at nanitic stage. Good luck with your colonies!