6 replies to this topic

[MegaMyrmex]

So after I almost wiped out one of my colonies by smashing its test tube setup, I realized that while the test tube was convenient for us, it may have been inconvenient for the ants. For example, the relative humidity is generally the same for each test tube so moisture loving ants(myrmica, ponera, hypoponera, strumigenys, etc.) can't really get what they need. Also, the smooth, circular flooring is quite inconvenient for many ants, especially the larger genuses such as Camponotus and Formica. With that in mind, I am trying to make some test tube alternatives that can accomodate almost every single ant species' preferances. So far I have made this 3D printed one which is very basic but works well so far. It is only 3 inches long and is equipped with a foraging area. Its vasically a small basin with two holes on each side and connectes together. This looks especially appealing to many semi- claustral species and I am sure that if I can make the setup bigger, it will easily accomodate the larger gernera, especially camponotus. For the nest I hydrate it by soaking a cotton ball that is placed in one of the holes and it touches the flooring of the formicarium(in this case paper towels). This way you can easily control the humidity level, for ants that prefer lower humidity, you can just dampen the cotton ball but for more moisture you can soak the cotton ball and it will slowly transfer to the substrate. However, the paper towel WILL mold(especially since this colony makes their bathroom inside of their nest), so I am looking for alternatives. So far I have thought of plaster, grout, sand, and ytong.
http://www.formicult...0171121-225640/

Edited by MegaMyrmex, November 21 2017 - 8:47 PM.

[MegaMyrmex]

How do you upload the photo from thae gallery, it doesn't seem to be working for me...

[dermy]

How do you upload the photo from thae gallery, it doesn't seem to be working for me...

You should just embedd images from a website like imgur into your forum post. I don't think uploading from gallery works as well [usually pictures are tiny at best].

[KBant]

hard to see anything replacing test tubes. they're cheap, provide excellent clarity, reusable, provide a cramped space to start new colonies, what's not to love?

 

I'm not sure how you almost smashed your test tube.. HULK SMASH? but you can try adding rubber bands to it or adding some cushioning around your tube or rest it on a cushion so it doesn't roll around.  

 

also if you don't want your ants to roll around you can also try using a glue gun to glue a couple small glue dots along the sides and wallah it'll never roll. or cut two equal sized squares out of a plastic bottle. in the center cut out an "X"with a box cuttle blade. and then insert the test tubes through. you can adjust the height of the tube off the ground and prevent it from rolling. this will allow you to regular heat. 

 

also if your ants love more moisture than other ants, make your cotton layer thinner and add a heating cable under the tip of the water reservoir of the test tube, wallah you have more humidity/moisture. if your ants want it dryer add your first cotton ball, and once you've plugged up the water, gently add a second cotton ball with a tiniest space in between the first and second cotton ball so that water would first have to evaporate from the first cotton ball before condensing into the second. 

[Serafine]

If you're a clumsy person this might be good for you:

https://antkit.uk/pr.../antkit-anthome

It is essentially a fancy test tube holder that combines the advantages of a test tube setup with those of a founding formicarium.

 

 

For example, the relative humidity is generally the same for each test tube so moisture loving ants(myrmica, ponera, hypoponera, strumigenys, etc.) can't really get what they need.

They can. There's a humidity gradient inside a test tube and it makes a big difference if the ants are at the front of the test tube or very close to the cotton. My Solenopsis fugax (very wet-loving) actually dug a small chamber into the cotton and stored their eggs there (directly on the wet cotton).

My Lasius niger store their small larvae directly on the cotton (they didn't make a chamber though) and their larger larvae and pupae on the bottom of the glass.

Edited by Serafine, November 22 2017 - 3:31 AM.

[MegaMyrmex]

If you're a clumsy person this might be good for you:https://antkit.uk/pr.../antkit-anthome
It is essentially a fancy test tube holder that combines the advantages of a test tube setup with those of a founding formicarium.
 
 

For example, the relative humidity is generally the same for each test tube so moisture loving ants(myrmica, ponera, hypoponera, strumigenys, etc.) can't really get what they need.

They can. There's a humidity gradient inside a test tube and it makes a big difference if the ants are at the front of the test tube or very close to the cotton. My Solenopsis fugax (very wet-loving) actually dug a small chamber into the cotton and stored their eggs there (directly on the wet cotton).
My Lasius niger store their small larvae directly on the cotton (they didn't make a chamber though) and their larger larvae and pupae on the bottom of the glass.

Wow now that's a nice formicarium...do you know if they ship globally? I've been looking at their formicariums for some time and I really want the founding formicariums...

[dspdrew]

 

How do you upload the photo from thae gallery, it doesn't seem to be working for me...

You should just embedd images from a website like imgur into your forum post. I don't think uploading from gallery works as well [usually pictures are tiny at best].

 

 

The gallery here hosts pictures like any other, you just have to know how to get the URL to the image file and post it, rather than using the "My Media" function.

 

 

hard to see anything replacing test tubes. they're cheap, provide excellent clarity, reusable, provide a cramped space to start new colonies, whats not to love?

 

There's a lot to not love. What makes test tubes great is the price.