32 replies to this topic

[AnthonyP163]

Here in Wisconsin, it got to about 53 today. So I found about 10 velvet mites (Trombidium holosericeum) and added them in. They'll eat the ants, isopods, and especially the mealybugs which will help greatly.

[AnthonyP163]

This vivarium completely fell off, and I ended up having to kill the Tetramorium and I was only able to save isopods and springtails.

 

Thankfully I've started two new ones. 

 

The first is in the same tank as last time, and I'm using it as a mostly cryptic vivarium.

 

In it, I have Camponotus pennsylvanicus, Temnothorax curvispinosis, Stenamma brevicorne, and Ponera pennsylvanica. These are all together because they nest seperately, aren't aggressive toward one another, and mostly occupy different niches. I have a leaf/moss area for the Stenamma.

 

Along with lots of ant diversity, there's a good amount of Lepidocyrtus and Pseudosinella springtails in this setup, with a few isopods and worms in the mix.

 

Here are some pictures of the cryptic vivarium

 

I recently just made a second vivarium that's even bigger than the last one. It's 20x10 inches, so it should be enough for some aphids with a Lasius colony. It has millipedes, isopods, Pseudosinella, a spider, and a few orange mites. I'm growing bean plants and the unidentified plant that the pea aphids live on. 

 

Here is a bad picture of one of the plants sprouting.

 

I'll update when there's more growth and such.

[FeedTheAnts]

Do you hibernate the vivariums? I'm asking this because of the ants that live in them. 

[AnthonyP163]

Do you hibernate the vivariums? I'm asking this because of the ants that live in them. 

I cool down the vivariums during winter, but not enough to put all the organisms in hibernation.

[FeedTheAnts]

 

Do you hibernate the vivariums? I'm asking this because of the ants that live in them. 

I cool down the vivariums during winter, but not enough to put all the organisms in hibernation.

 

Cool, thanks. That might be what I do to hibernate my terrarium that houses a Formica colony. I didn't want to skip hibernation altogether, but I wasn't sure how the other organisms(I plan on adding) and plants would do with a full hibernation.

[ANTdrew]

Any updates? I’m trying to head down this path myself. Any general advice you can offer, Anthony?

[AnthonyP163]

Any updates? I’m trying to head down this path myself. Any general advice you can offer, Anthony?

By this do you mean you're attempting to make a vivarium? My advice would be to think ahead. Make sure everything is balanced and that there's nothing that could unbalance it in the long run, and if there is then do anything you can to remove it. 

[ANTdrew]

Thank you. Basically, I have plans to make two terrarium type setups, one for a small C. castaneus colony and the other for a huge Tetramorium colony. Both will be in smaller acrylic tanks with some moss and tiny plants. I’d like to have some kind of clean up crew, but I don’t know what could coexist with my off-the-chain Tetras.

[TennesseeAnts]

Thank you. Basically, I have plans to make two terrarium type setups, one for a small C. castaneus colony and the other for a huge Tetramorium colony. Both will be in smaller acrylic tanks with some moss and tiny plants. I’d like to have some kind of clean up crew, but I don’t know what could coexist with my off-the-chain Tetras.

Argentine ants.

[ANTdrew]

Thank you. Basically, I have plans to make two terrarium type setups, one for a small C. castaneus colony and the other for a huge Tetramorium colony. Both will be in smaller acrylic tanks with some moss and tiny plants. I’d like to have some kind of clean up crew, but I don’t know what could coexist with my off-the-chain Tetras.

Argentine ants.

I think I’m north enough to be free from that scourge. My hope is to have other decomposers in there as a clean up crew. This seems easy with the castaneus because they’re afraid of their own shadow, but I’m doubtful about the Tetras.

[ANTdrew]

Big plot twist! I set up my bigger terrarium with clay from my yard where I collected my Tetra queen. After observing a while I started seeing more and more Monomorium minimum ants plus some carrying brood. It seems I inadvertently dug up a colony! I guess that’s the beauty of natural terrariums. I had meant to put the Tetramorium in the tank, but now I fear they will decimate a possible new colony. I feel my C. castaneus could definitely coexist with Monomorium, so perhaps I will put them in? Please advise!

[ANTdrew]

What do you guys think I should do: put in the Tetras and risk a lop-sided ant war, or add the castaneus and hope for coexistence?
I was hoping to get soil for the castaneus from an area where they are more prevalent because I think they are particular about it. Any input welcome!

[AnthonyP163]

What do you guys think I should do: put in the Tetras and risk a lop-sided ant war, or add the castaneus and hope for coexistence?
I was hoping to get soil for the castaneus from an area where they are more prevalent because I think they are particular about it. Any input welcome!

Neither, I would not put two colonies, especially of that species, in one setup.