7 replies to this topic

[OmniusClone]

I went to the upscale dollar store in a nearby city for formicarium supplies as the one in my town is a bit crap, and noticed these in their hobby section. 

 

 

It comes in different colours, so you could choose one to contrast against your ants. But the real question is whether or not it would be safe for formicaria. Anybody have any experience using it or a similar product?

[Kevin]

I highly doubt you're going to find someone that has used that particular "brand" of sand with ants. For all we know, impurities could vary batch to batch as well with the particular brand.

 

The best method is to take ants and brood and test them with the substrate before using it with personal colonies. Or, strain the sand and make sure there isn't fine silt and then wash it and use it. After a good wash, it should be okay to use.

Edited by Kevin, June 11 2018 - 4:09 PM.

[KBant]

Wash it, then bake it in the oven for a bit until it’s dry.

[Shifty189]

Wash it, then bake it in the oven for a bit until it’s dry.

this is wise advice for anything that you put in your ants outworld. A small word of caution, be prepared for some..... Smells when baking things like this. I baked some sand that i collected from outside (with my wife's blessings of course) and it left a "burnt sand" smell in my house for a few days. Just something to consider.

[KBant]

febreeze 

[OmniusClone]

Does it have to be baked, or could it be boiled and then left to dry?

[Shifty189]

Does it have to be baked, or could it be boiled and then left to dry?

boiling will also work, even freezing for a few days will kill anything it (without the burnt sand smell)

[OmniusClone]

Cool, I may just freeze it then.