3 replies to this topic

[skocko76]

First, a disclaimer: the gel is going out the window and be replaced with substrate.

That being said, this type of formicarium can be found on eBay for around $20. However, you can get it on auctions for around $5, free shipping.

I got lucky and got three. They can extend to each other, making a "circle" or a "zig-zag" if you need more than four.

I would like your opinion on whether this type of ant farm looks like something that could work well or not.

There is a number of connectors with plugs, and tiny air-holes, which is nice. There is an outworld with option for tunneling into substrate which is nice also.

It came with a Chinese manual, magnifying glass, tweezers and a pipette of questionable quality, but can come in handy.

The connection between the "brood chamber" and outworld is somewhat iffy... it's vertical. I don't know if that can pose a problem.

Above the brood chamber is a "feeding chamber" with small separations for liquid food and "ant stairs" connecting the two.

The tube in the middle is supposed to be filled with cotton and be moistened with drops of water from the plug above.

My concern is with feeding chambers being too close to queen, which is probably stressful, cleaning and feeding them that close, no?

Also, as the moisture system is right in the middle, the moisture gradient is not that great, I think.

The plastic is transparent, but kinda warps the view, so it is not that great for observing either.

It scratches easily, but it doesn't look as bad as in the photos. The flash does not compliment the tiny scratches well.

 

I have a young colony of Messor barbarus of 20 workers and I am thorn between putting them in this one or a smaller (but better quality) formicarium that I also have. Photo attached (I added the red sheet).

The cheap one will be easier to extend, if they get to require more space. But I have no idea how fast Messor grow, nor how much space they require.

I also have a Lasius niger colony that is not doing that well, but hopefully will get to size for moving into a formicarium.

I initially intended to put them in the smaller one, but I don't want to mess things up with my Messors if this cheap one is a bad product.

 

Can you give some advice? Thanks

 

 

 

[Lukas2021]

Personally, I wouldn't use it, just because I like to keep setups as simple as possible.

I think this setup would technically be useable, maybe with flaws, but the only way to find out is to try it.....

[ctantkeeper]

Avoid the "gel" setup. The acrylic one on the other hand may be viable for some ants. Coating the floor of the acrylic formicarium with a thin layer of grout would reduce issues such as muscular atrophy in the legs of your ants as well as formic acid poisoning, making it suitable for basically anything that you may want to put in their.

[Serafine]

Remove the crappy blue jelly (that stuff molds and kills the ants) and replace it with grout or a mix of sand and clay (2 parts clay, 1 part sand, mix with water, fill it in, let it dry).
If you manage to hydrate it properly it should work for Messor barbarus that way although I'm a bit skeptical if the majors fit through the tubes.


the second one looks kinda okay for ants that like it rather dry but you gonna need more of them as it's quite tiny.