10 replies to this topic

[CatsnAnts]

Okay, I’m a newbie, and I’ve really heard a lot about water towers in formicariums and have wanted to try one for a while now. Could anybody explain IN DEPTH how these “water towers” work to hydrate the nest and how I could make one? Thanks!

[Zeiss]

A water tower is basically like a water tower you would see in a town.  It stores water and releases just enough for the colony to constantly drink from it.  Some people make them with a micromesh opening (pictures here) where the ants can come up and drink water though it.  Some are 3D printed (such as this and this).  

[CatsnAnts]

Thanks! Also, I know Tar Heel Ants has water towers that they use in their formicariums to hydrate there nest, do you know if that is the same thing you are talking about. I really appreciate it!

[BrianK]

The water towers in Tar Heel Ants formicarium's provide humidity via evaporation and not a drinking source. Tar Heel Ants does have the nest mate for drinking water though.

[drtrmiller]

A "Water Tower" is the trade name for a design feature of Tarheel Ants formicaries.  Theirs consists of a shallow plastic dish—like a petri dish—with stainless steel mesh covering the open top.  The mesh allows evaporated water vapor to escape, but prevents ants from entering, thereby safely making the nest more humid.  

While many other manufacturers incorporate similar designs in their formicaries without using the "Water Tower" name, the working principle is the same.

Edited by drtrmiller, July 14 2018 - 7:01 PM.

[CatsnAnts]

That’s what I was looking for! The help is much appreciated since I am trying my hands at building a formicarium soon!

[CoolColJ]

I call it a water pool, it ain't no tower

Edited by CoolColJ, July 15 2018 - 1:10 AM.

[CatsnAnts]

I call it a water pool, it ain't no tower

Lol, that’s what I was thinking

[CatsnAnts]

Also! Is a water tower alone sufficient to hydrate a small nest 6” x 4”?

[Will230145]

Yes

[CatsnAnts]

Cool, thanks!