27 replies to this topic

[BugFinder]

It looks like Ants Canada put the Habitat Nest back in their store.  If any of you have owned one I'd love to hear your feedback about it before I spend $100+ on it.

 

Thanks,

[AntsAreUs]

They work amazing, queens can go right in and they will set up a chamber, good for small species if you like seeing tunneling. The ants control the setup so it is much more natural and it comes with other stuff such as tubing and other needed items, I think they still do syringes too but I might be wrong. It doesn't mold either. It is quite big so you can also plan ahead which makes it for just starting all the way to a mature colony and it's reusable. I think that is enough to convince you. I'm honestly wanting the omni vertical more though because it's simplistic and more efficient design.

[dean_k]

I don't have first hand experience but have watched a few Youtube videos about it. As far as I know, it's hand made by Mikey himself. <- Correct me if I am wrong.

[BugFinder]

Thanks for your feedback.  I didn't realize the habittat was a nest they could dig in, are you sure about that Gaige?

[dean_k]

They are able to customize their nest to some degree but they won't dig out of the nest, I can assure you that.

 

AntsCanada's youtube homepage is @ https://www.youtube....3_QqjzjCVsURNuA

 

Try visiting there. He has a lot of fun videos... as well as some... interesting pets...

[BugFinder]

Yes I'm familiar with his videos, I love them!

Do you think this is a nest a founding colony can use, or would they need to go into something else until they grow into the habitat?

[dean_k]

For a founding colony?

 

Most likely not. The tube + container setup will be best for your colony for a while. Don't try to relocate them. They are settled in there, so don't disturb them. Give them hot weather. That is what they probably need.

[BugFinder]

I'm worried about mold collecting in my tube.  The end of the cotton is turning black, and the middle is starting to turn pink.  Is that not a concern?

[Miles]

My habitat nest was dysfunctional and led to the death of multiple colonies. I was shocked.

[Gregory2455]

My habitat nest was dysfunctional and led to the death of multiple colonies. I was shocked.

It is an obsolete design, and you are warned by the word "classic", but I cannot see how it would kill ants like that... Maybe there was a flaw. What species were you keeping in there?

[Miles]

It was a design flaw. There was a significant gap between the glass and the nest itself. Enough for Camponotus workers and brood to get stuck in between and die.

[dspdrew]

Ah. Thanks for the details this time; that definitely helps. I am not down with formicariums that leave a gap between the nest and the glass/plastic. If it wasn't just a flaw in the particular one you had, then this would be a problem.

[Miles]

The main frustration is that the company didn't seem to care much that my ants were dying in it. So much for "Ant Love". 

 

I have been told that it did occur in other nests of the same design. I don't think it's consistent.

Edited by Miles, January 27 2015 - 8:20 AM.

[InsideAntz]

No fan at all of the Habitat Nest - much better options out there.

[Mercutia]

I feel like the majority of AntsCanada products are just too big for the average ant keeper. They really should offer a better variety of sizes.

[Miles]

I feel like the majority of AntsCanada products are just too big for the average ant keeper. They really should offer a better variety of sizes.

Moisture retention seems to be the most consistent complaint of AntsCanada customers.

[dean_k]

I feel like the majority of AntsCanada products are just too big for the average ant keeper. They really should offer a better variety of sizes.

 

Hard to argue with that. I have a "small' Omni nest vertical and I think it's good for 500 ants at least.

[Chromerust]

Antscanada definitely lacks in product options. That is my biggest complaint aside from the insane prices.

[dean_k]

I think Omni nest small -> http://antscanada.co...ldwide-shipping is better than Omni nest small vertical. I will be getting it next month for a colony I've reserved from Crystal.

 

It also seems to have a far better moisture since it has two long blue foam on both sides.

[Mercutia]

Yes, I think I would have preferred the original Omni nest to the vertical.