47 replies to this topic

[CoolColJ]

After thinking a bit

 

Instead of trying to replicate the design you can make a similar, but improved design using a rectangle glass nest area with magnet lids for each section, for easy cleaning or to get the ants to  move out if needed.

And the same style of hydration.

[sirjordanncurtis]

Huh wow, I completely misjudged the size of the tube. Way bigger than I thought.

[CoolColJ]

Huh wow, I completely misjudged the size of the tube. Way bigger than I thought.

 

 

The regular version ranges from 20x150mm to 30x200mm

[CoolColJ]

New variation - with gypsum interior

30mm x 250mm

https://www.aliexpre...4172f&tpp=1

Edited by CoolColJ, May 6 2018 - 3:30 PM.

[sirjordanncurtis]

To be honest, I would prefer the one with more chambers though. Seems... safer?

[CoolColJ]

I got this in the mail today, a smaller 25mm x150mm Bamboo tube nest, along with it's small outworld. This one came pretty quick, less than two weeks with the E-packet option

Probably use this one for on of my Pheidole colonies or the Camponotus humilior.

I have two more smaller tube nests with no chambers, just the sand hydration chamber at the back to use in place of test tubes for founding queens. It was actually comes with one outworld which the two tube nests join into, but I only bought the kit for the two tubes, ended up costing the same

 

I have a larger 30mm x 200mm coming that will most likely put the consobrinus queen inside.

That way I won't have to worry about moldy test tubes and moving her all the time, and it stays hydrated for long periods like a test tube setup, and she and her soon to be colony can grow over time in it.

 

[CoolColJ]

These things hold a fair amount of water.

 

I filled 2 full syringes and another 0.5 after the water had soaked in a bit over the enxt 30 mins.

About the same amount as a typical 16mm test tube setup

Whereas the water tower in my Tarheel Ants Atom C only hold 3+/5 notches of the same syringe before it overfills.

 

Over night the water had soaked to 2 full chambers.

So one chamber is damp, one moist and one fully dry.

If you keep topping up the hydration chamber, eventually the last chamber gets half moist, just the bottom ground layer.

 

Should last a few weeks before drying out by the look of things

Edited by CoolColJ, May 14 2018 - 1:48 PM.

[Canadian anter]

You guys might want to try TaoBao. Aliexpress is more like a middleman in my opinion. 

 

Though you might need some basic translator

 

https://item.taobao....cket=11#detail 

[CoolColJ]

So far I have hydrated one nest,  and have been observing it for over a week now.

 

And the first two chambers build up a lot of condensation.

It's approaching winter here which tends to make it worse

 

If you wet the inner chambers they takes ages to dry, the glass, if at all.

Indicating not much air flow gets through.

 

 

So dry loving species might not like it, but then again Camponotus consibrinue who like it dry seem to do ok in it, as per the video linked earlier

 

Although it could be due to my current specific circumstances.

Others do not seem to have the same issue

Edited by CoolColJ, May 22 2018 - 2:16 PM.

[jenniferfrance]

I bought a couple from Taobao, much cheaper than aliexpress, but I would reccomend using chrome and add the goole translator app to make it easier to read.

Bit frustrating translating at first but you soon get the knack. 

 

Its costing me 57 Yuan on the site which is $8.95. For 5 of them .. On the other site they are selling for over $10 each

And shipping is only 8 yuan $1.26..

 

Here is what the site looks like when translated.

 

Edited by jenniferfrance, May 27 2018 - 1:07 PM.

[Derpy]

How long did it take to deliver?

[jenniferfrance]

I only ordered them but it says Delivery within 72 hours..  So we will see, I don't mind waiting a week or so, Ill let you know!

[sirjordanncurtis]

Quality comparison would probably have to be necessary. I can't really tell, but I feel like the pictures for Ali-Express tell you much more, and are also safer. The test tubes look cleaner on Ali-Express, but maybe I'm just blind or something...

[CoolColJ]

So far I think the single chamber version is a safe bet, if your ants are not moisture loving.

Because the two inner chambers of my 25mm version, also have condensation on the walls, and large actual drops of water on the glass that never dries.

This is after 2 weeks.

One of gypsum nests I got from Ali express had condensation for a few days, but cleared up.

 

The 30mm version with larger chambers and entrances may be different

 

Single chamber version will just be like a test tube but with superior refillable hydration system, and lack of moldy cotton.

The ones I got do not have the gypsum running the entire length of the tube, nor a smaller entrance.

There were two tubes connecting into a small outworld.

I just bought the kit for the two tubes, the outworld is just a bonus, as the price is the same as two bare tubes.

 

https://www.aliexpre....1b9e4c4deaAvr1

 

Edited by CoolColJ, May 27 2018 - 4:19 PM.

[sirjordanncurtis]

Welp, I'm visiting China for the summer, going to buy a bunch of stuff from TaoBao

[CoolColJ]

I got the 30mm x200 mm version today

 

this one

https://www.aliexpre....25a94c4dL4BsVX

 

It's much different from the 25mm version i got earlier, different company.

The floor layer is flat, so it's thicker and better for visibility, and large queens have more turning space.

The subtrate is finer and you get a choice of colours, I went with a fairly yellow one, and it looks more tan, yellow sand like, perfect colour to see the ants and brood.

 

The wall against the hydration chamber is much thicker than the 25mm one, so it should much less wet

 

Now to see how long it takes to spread the water, and wether it holds it too much if condensation builds up

 

Also these rubber caps are rubbish, since you get a vaccum and it is hard to remove without disturbing the ants.

You can replace them with silicon plug versions I've seen on Aliexpress.

Or maybe don't push it all the way down...or poke a small hole with a pin at the top...

 

click to enlarge

 

 

Edited by CoolColJ, May 27 2018 - 8:34 PM.

[CoolColJ]

So far so good, the tank holds less water, just under 2 full syringe (about the same as a 16mm test tube setup) but water spread is much slower, and so is evaporation.
The inner nest chamber gets damp but not overly wet, the thicker floor and walls help.
No condensation so far.

I am going to rinse the nest out, and we will see if the water in the inner chamber dries at all. The 25mm version doesn't, even after 2 weeks....

[Leo]

 I USE TAOBAO FOR EVERYTHINGGGGGGGG! (BOUGHT 3 COLONIES RECOMMEND!!!) (also, ants are cheap and vendors are nice, I got a messor orientalis queen for free and she already has a worker)

[sirjordanncurtis]

Sadly, most of us don't live very close to China. It's also illegal to ship ants to US

[jenniferfrance]

The more I look at those photos CoolColJ

The more I am convinced the seller has bought them from Taobao and marked them up., I may be wrong >>>>>>>. IS THIS IT?

If so the shipping is $31.26 But you can buy them for $3.13 each and if you buy enough then it might be worth while.. 

 

But anyone looking  for a bargin I would reccomend these as the shipping is a lot cheaper.

 

Nest that holds four tubes Link

 

This is about $13

and you can also buy the test tubes for $2.19 each (you will need 4)

 

 

Also here is where I bought two tubes and an arena for $5.63    LINK

 

25mm or 30mm sizes

Shipping is $1.25

 

 

Another one with decent shipping  Plain smooth ones

 

 

Hope that helps you all!

 

And yea, I don't think I would buy ants from china for many reasons, but items can be shipped to Overseas no problem, the ones above I have checked the shipping is decent and it ships overseas. 

So get google chrome and add the plugin google translator and have a browse!

Edited by jenniferfrance, May 28 2018 - 7:46 AM.