12 replies to this topic

[Waganga]

Hi All,

 

I'm wondering, does anybody know of a test tube rack or stand that holds the tubes horizontally? Ideally I'd want something I could mount on a wall, but I'd accept something that sits on a table or shelf. Obviously I want the tubes horizontal because it would be to hold queen ants! And, ideally it would only hold a single row of tubes.

 

Has anybody seen something like this?

 

Thankee!

[T.C.]

Building something like this out of wood would be fairly easy.

Edited by T.C., June 12 2018 - 8:08 PM.

[Waganga]

Building something like this out of wood would be fairly easy.

 

I'm not very handy with wood, but I am considering building one out of clay. If I saw something commercially that was inexpensive and fit my needs, I'd probably just buy it to save myself time/effort. Not sure if I'll find something inexpensive. After spending 5 minutes on Etsy, I should apparently be in the $50 test tube spice rack business. 

[mallonje]

Yeah, I saw something similar on pinterest. A wood table top horizontal test tube stand.

I'm thinking of doing similar, but more like a small cabinet so the tubes are in the dark.

[CoolColJ]

This is what I use. It's transparent and red, so you can peep your ants in peace

made by a local E-Shop in small and large sizes

 

https://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/OTAwWDE2MDA=/z/6EkAAOSwXJNZaxvA/$_75.JPG

 

https://www.antsever...be-holder-large

 

I've seen some racks on Aliexpress as well. Ants Canada sell some

Edited by CoolColJ, June 13 2018 - 1:46 AM.

[nurbs]

I use sound deading foam from Amazon and then cut it in half. You can then lay the test tubes on them and stack them. Also acts as a great cushion when moving.

 

https://www.amazon.c.../dp/B00TP7C9YY/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[antsinmypants]

I used a Japanese bamboo sushi mat to hold up to 7 test tubes with a heating cable underneath the distal end of the tubes. My wife was going to donate it when I spotted it. The mats are cheap and work very well to keep the tubes stationary.

 

Sayonara!

[Barristan]

If you have access to Ytong you can simple drill some holes in it and place the test tubes in them.

[Shifty189]

Ants canada has a product for this (but not as good as CoolcolJ or Nurbs solution)

 

http://www.antscanad...test-tube-rack/

[CoolColJ]

One from Aliexpress, but no longer available

 

[Waganga]

TBH sound foam is probably the best storage option, because it will also help reduce the vibrations.

 

No ytong for me, unfortunately! At least, not that I can find commercially someplace like Home Depot/Lowe's/Ace Hardware etc. I found a lot of recipes for it, but I don't really want to make my own. 

 

I'm not really looking for in drawer/closet/etc storage solutions with this, though. I'm looking for something that's more like a display rack. I've been keeping my more rare/sensitive queens locked away, but I have my tetramorium queens out to look at all the time. It helps me a lot with NOT looking in on the other ones too often, and also provides a conversation piece. Right now they're just secured in place with unbaked sculpey, but it would be nice to have a little display rack to keep them in instead. Something that looks a little more on purpose!

 

I contacted this Etsy seller to see if they could make a sideways rack, but no response yet. I've also contacted this Etsy seller, but they don't quite understand what I am asking for, so I need to draw them a picture! I like the way this one looks, but chances are the queen/brood happenings would be obscured in this design...

 

I wonder if that AC stand would tolerate being turned sideways and screwed to a wall or base that would hold it vertical? 

[mallonje]

Here is what I was talking about. 

I think I'll do similar, but maybe give it some luan panels front and back. Add a piano hinge for easy access. Run a heating cable up the front, etc. 

 

This way you can align the front support with the barricade cotton, and the back with the water and still have a clear view. 

[StopSpazzing]

TBH sound foam is probably the best storage option, because it will also help reduce the vibrations.

 

No ytong for me, unfortunately! At least, not that I can find commercially someplace like Home Depot/Lowe's/Ace Hardware etc. I found a lot of recipes for it, but I don't really want to make my own. 

 

I'm not really looking for in drawer/closet/etc storage solutions with this, though. I'm looking for something that's more like a display rack. I've been keeping my more rare/sensitive queens locked away, but I have my tetramorium queens out to look at all the time. It helps me a lot with NOT looking in on the other ones too often, and also provides a conversation piece. Right now they're just secured in place with unbaked sculpey, but it would be nice to have a little display rack to keep them in instead. Something that looks a little more on purpose!

 

I contacted this Etsy seller to see if they could make a sideways rack, but no response yet. I've also contacted this Etsy seller, but they don't quite understand what I am asking for, so I need to draw them a picture! I like the way this one looks, but chances are the queen/brood happenings would be obscured in this design...

 

I wonder if that AC stand would tolerate being turned sideways and screwed to a wall or base that would hold it vertical? 

I'm confused, why do you need a conversation piece and why don't you care more about the queens well-being than what they do for you? Get some sound proof foam and wait till you have colonies, THEN have clear sh*t so you can see them. Seems counter-productive in founding stage and selfish.