64 replies to this topic

[Jamiesname]

You mean Dec 12, 2017?

Thanks for input. This is the kind of data we want to gather on the issue.

Don't be too hard on yourself, at least your colony is recovering! Hindsight is most definitely 20/20.

Yeah, fixed that

[nurbs]

Short update. Prototype nests with Type III have arrived. I'll block off a few hours of time this weekend and get testing underway!

 

Initial impression "sniff test" (ha) with one nest after unwrapping is the chemical/aerosol smell is not present, so that's already a great start.

 

[Mettcollsuss]

How do you get the type III? When I put in my order recently I didn't see it as an option and I would like to try it out.

[Derpy]

Does anybody know if you wash out the “glow mini hearths” will the glow go away?

[ZllGGY]

How do you get the type III? When I put in my order recently I didn't see it as an option and I would like to try it out.

i believe the type 3 is just in its testing phase and so not actually on sale to the public?

[CoolColJ]

 

How do you get the type III? When I put in my order recently I didn't see it as an option and I would like to try it out.

i believe the type 3 is just in its testing phase and so not actually on sale to the public?

 

 

 

I see the type 3 on the website now

[drtrmiller]

Prototype nests with Type III have arrived.

 
 

How do you get the type III?

 
 

i believe the type 3 is just in its testing phase and so not actually on sale to the public?

So is it now considered magic to have a formicarium that doesn't kill its inhabitants?

Edited by drtrmiller, March 14 2018 - 2:24 PM.

[ZllGGY]

well hopefully everyones ants stop dying because these nest do look awesome

[T.C.]

You get all them goodies for free? Send your friend TC whatever you don't want.

[nurbs]

well hopefully everyones ants stop dying because these nest do look awesome

 

 

Hey folks - please read the original post and subsequent discussion. 

 

Not everyone's ants is dying, it is only a selective few that meet a certain criteria with problems. There are numerous of reasons why a colony will fail, such as a sick queen or improper care, so what we want to do is separate the reasons why so we have a control on the actual causes. That is partially what this thread is for. 

 

 

You get all them goodies for free? Send your friend TC whatever you don't want.

 

Move to CA. Since you cannot take your ants with you, I will not only give you one as a welcoming gift, but there will be a healthy fancy pants colony in it as well.

[YsTheAnt]

Nurbs, if u don't want one I'll gladly take one off ur hands. I'll even pay

[Mettcollsuss]

How do you get the type III? When I put in my order recently I didn't see it as an option and I would like to try it out.

nevermind. I just called him and changed my order to a type III.

[nurbs]

It's been about 5 hours since I've dropped workers into the nests. So far so good.

 

Will wait at least a day, and if there are no issues will drop in the rest of the colonies in.

 

Here are the species in no particular order:

 

Fortress Type III:

Mymecocystus mexicanus

Camponotus quercicola

Veromessor pergandei

Veromessor andrei

Camponotus fragilis

Novomessor cockerelli

 

Mini Hearth Type III:

Pogonomyrmex subnitidus

 

Triple Type III Founding chamber:

Three Myrmecocystus sp. from season 2018 

 

For honeypots and desert ants, I add additional fine quartz sand. Myrmecocystus use it to spin their cocoons.

 

Have two Mini Hearths left. Will use those when Pheidole barbata (currently in a test tube setup) and the Myrmecocystus get workers.

 

My V. pergandei are over 1000 workers. They are medium sized ants, so hoping the Fortress isn't too small!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited by nurbs, March 18 2018 - 1:37 PM.

[Mettcollsuss]

Hey I was just wondering, on the mini hearth, how wide is the side entrance? Could it fit an F. subsericea queen?

[ZllGGY]

 

well hopefully everyones ants stop dying because these nest do look awesome

 

 

Hey folks - please read the original post and subsequent discussion. 

 

Not everyone's ants is dying, it is only a selective few that meet a certain criteria with problems. There are numerous of reasons why a colony will fail, such as a sick queen or improper care, so what we want to do is separate the reasons why so we have a control on the actual causes. That is partially what this thread is for. 

 

 

You get all them goodies for free? Send your friend TC whatever you don't want.

 

Move to CA. Since you cannot take your ants with you, I will not only give you one as a welcoming gift, but there will be a healthy fancy pants colony in it as well.

 

sorry nurbs meant it as everyones ants who were dying not the entire consumer pool. should have been a little clearer on that

[nurbs]

Decided to move the entire 1000+ workers of Veromessor pergandei over. Manually took an hour. They were originally in a plastic hydrostone bin with six test tubes. 

 

Here are some quick potato shots. They might need another relocation home soon 

 

 

 

[dspdrew]

Your colony's going to be as big as mine soon.

[nurbs]

Quick update. Dropped the rest of the colonies in earlier this week. It's been a day or two, and zero deaths. The N. cockerelli even laid a new batch of eggs in their new home.

 

Will now let them "settle in" and report back in a week or two, and see how they do.

 

 

[nurbs]

Made a video to show the density of Veromessor pergandei in the Fortress.

 

[CoolColJ]

Time for a Stronghold?