4 replies to this topic

[cfreidsma]

Hi everyone,

 

I recently managed to pick up a rotary tool for pretty cheap. The only place that sells firebrick around here is Menards. I do not know if it is K23, but it was the only option besides online with shipping.

 

I got these ones:

https://www.menards....44445448340.htm

 

I also bought this silicone (safe?):

https://www.meijer.c.../7702700284.uts

 

This is what I have so far. I am probably going to deepen the cells some more. It has two openings for test tubes and/or air. I made those the exact size of the test tubes I use so they fit together. There is also one more opening to connect to an outworld. For now there is the separate cell for the water system. I am thinking of ways to have a longer lasting hydration system though. I'll test this out and go from there.

 

 

Figured I better share means I actually managed to make something decent this time 

[AntsAreUs]

Looks great. Personally I like my nests to house as many ants as possible instead of looking nice. What are you going to be housing in it?

[cfreidsma]

I don't know what will go in it yet. All of my queens are in the founding stages right now. When I did the grout picture frame method really tiny ants managed to escape somehow. So I don't know about putting anything like that in these. There is a queen I found earlier this year that is only a couple mm long. I've never seen a queen so tiny. She will go in an Antz for all nest to ensure no escapees.

 

Other than that I have Tetramorium, Lasius (neoniger and such), and Camponotus pennsylvanicus to consider for these. I'm probably going to make some with bigger cells and some with smaller so I have an assortment for when the time comes. I'm somewhat new to keeping ants, and so the growth speed of each species is something I'll have to figure out. The Camponotus pennsylvanicus may outgrow these too fast for it to be viable. 

 

Looking at it again, I can probably expand the cells a little in a couple places. 

[AntsMaryland]

I think you should think about a Lasius species out of your personal 'collection'. I find that Tetramorium are very fast growers and might be better in something a little larger. And Camponotus, they are very large and after about a year they would easily grow out of it, because of there size (size of individual ants, not the size of the colony). Lasius however, is still a fast-growing species but not as fast as Tetramorium. Just my personal opinion. Also, I have found this kind of firebrick, which I have had great success with; it's 'chalky' and relatively soft, so you can use a screwdriver to easily carve it.

 

https://www.delphigl...ools/fire-brick

[cfreidsma]

Alright, I'll make these with Lasius in mind. My yard is almost entirely Lasius and Camponotus. Once around August hits, I find quite a few queens. I still have time to figure out something for the others. Perhaps some larger bead containers with grout in the bottom could work.