4 replies to this topic

[Ants4ever7]

I want to have more than one size of test tube for bigger or smaller queens. Should the test tube width be twice the queens length or 1.5x? Should I have 10 or 12mm, 16 or 18mm, and 20 or 25mm? Thank you all.

[Ljimmy009]

I want to have more than one size of test tube for bigger or smaller queens. Should the test tube width be twice the queens length or 1.5x? Should I have 10 or 12mm, 16 or 18mm, and 20 or 25mm? Thank you all.

Hey Ants4ever7, I would suggest a test tube big enough for the queen to turn comfortably without it struggling.

 

 

But I'm not really experienced with test tube sizes, hopefully someone else posts something more descriptive!

Edited by Ljimmy009, September 23 2024 - 7:38 AM.

[bmb1bee]

Any tubes 16mm and up should be comfortable for any queen. I particularly like 16mm tubes, which can work for even the 20mm queens of Camponotus us-ca02, the largest species we have in California. Of course you could move them to a larger tube if concerned about space, but they should be fine since ants usually nest in pretty narrow tunnels and chambers in the wild.

[RushmoreAnts]

Yes, for most species whose queens are 5-10 mm in length (the majority of commonly kept species) I would recommend 16 mm test tubes. Smaller species <5 mm would benefit for 12 mm, and large species >10mm should have 20 mm tubes.

Edited by RushmoreAnts, September 23 2024 - 9:59 AM.

[Ants_Dakota]

Yes, for most species whose queens are 5-10 mm in length (the majority of commonly kept species) I would recommend 16 mm test tubes. Smaller species <5 mm would benefit for 12 mm, and large species >10mm should have 20 mm tubes.

You can also supplement this by only buying 16mm test tubes to save money and using inserts. I find Camponotus can survive founding stages in 16mm (although I agree 20mm is best), and small species can use inserts such as this to keep the space down. If you really want multiple sizes, than 16mm and 20mm would be your best options.

Edited by Ants_Dakota, September 23 2024 - 10:04 AM.