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Ant Safe Hydration System Needed

sponge formicarium safety

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10 replies to this topic

#1 Offline Antennal_Scrobe - Posted June 28 2019 - 3:58 PM

Antennal_Scrobe

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I am planning on making a bead container formicarium with a sponge hydration system, but I have no idea which sponges are safe for ants. Can anyone with experience name a sponge they have used safely in a formicarium?


Edited by Antennal_Scrobe, July 14 2019 - 10:19 AM.

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Currently keeping:

 

Tetramorium immigrans, Pogonomyrmex occidentalis

Myrmica punctiventris, Formica subsericea

Formica pallidefulva, Aphaeogaster cf. rudis

Camponotus pennsylvanicus

Camponotus nearcticus

Crematogaster cerasi

Temnothorax ambiguus

Prenolepis imparis


#2 Offline ANTdrew - Posted June 28 2019 - 4:33 PM

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I made one of these earlier this year and just used a regular kitchen sponge. If you design it well, the ants should have no access to the sponge, so it almost doesn’t matter what you use.
"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#3 Offline Antennal_Scrobe - Posted June 29 2019 - 9:40 AM

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Or would perlite perhaps work better?


Currently keeping:

 

Tetramorium immigrans, Pogonomyrmex occidentalis

Myrmica punctiventris, Formica subsericea

Formica pallidefulva, Aphaeogaster cf. rudis

Camponotus pennsylvanicus

Camponotus nearcticus

Crematogaster cerasi

Temnothorax ambiguus

Prenolepis imparis


#4 Offline Antennal_Scrobe - Posted June 29 2019 - 9:49 AM

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Though vermiculite is used in the Dirt Box formicarium, so I think that might be even better.


Currently keeping:

 

Tetramorium immigrans, Pogonomyrmex occidentalis

Myrmica punctiventris, Formica subsericea

Formica pallidefulva, Aphaeogaster cf. rudis

Camponotus pennsylvanicus

Camponotus nearcticus

Crematogaster cerasi

Temnothorax ambiguus

Prenolepis imparis


#5 Offline Serafine - Posted June 29 2019 - 10:55 AM

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Perlite has the adavantage that it usually doesn't mold, so I'd prefer that. Sponges are breeding grounds for bacteria, even the medical ones can get problems at some point.
I'd also recommend to design the hydration chamber in a way that it's contents (being it perlite, a sponge or whatever) can be replaced easily.
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We should respect all forms of consciousness. The body is just a vessel, a mere hull.

Welcome to Lazy Tube - My Camponotus Journal


#6 Offline ANTdrew - Posted June 29 2019 - 12:29 PM

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Definitely go perlite.
"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#7 Offline Antennal_Scrobe - Posted June 29 2019 - 3:20 PM

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So perlite, rather than vermiculite? I heard perlite expands, so I would be worried it might burst my cheap bead container. Do either of these ever have fertilizer or pesticide on them? because if they don't, I don't see why I would ever choose a sponge.


Currently keeping:

 

Tetramorium immigrans, Pogonomyrmex occidentalis

Myrmica punctiventris, Formica subsericea

Formica pallidefulva, Aphaeogaster cf. rudis

Camponotus pennsylvanicus

Camponotus nearcticus

Crematogaster cerasi

Temnothorax ambiguus

Prenolepis imparis


#8 Offline Antennal_Scrobe - Posted July 14 2019 - 10:25 AM

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Would I want to crush up the perlite before I use it? I know that's what you're supposed to do if you mix it with grout.


Currently keeping:

 

Tetramorium immigrans, Pogonomyrmex occidentalis

Myrmica punctiventris, Formica subsericea

Formica pallidefulva, Aphaeogaster cf. rudis

Camponotus pennsylvanicus

Camponotus nearcticus

Crematogaster cerasi

Temnothorax ambiguus

Prenolepis imparis


#9 Offline ANTdrew - Posted July 14 2019 - 3:55 PM

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Don’t crush it.
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"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#10 Offline Antennal_Scrobe - Posted July 14 2019 - 4:32 PM

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Ok. Thanks.


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Currently keeping:

 

Tetramorium immigrans, Pogonomyrmex occidentalis

Myrmica punctiventris, Formica subsericea

Formica pallidefulva, Aphaeogaster cf. rudis

Camponotus pennsylvanicus

Camponotus nearcticus

Crematogaster cerasi

Temnothorax ambiguus

Prenolepis imparis


#11 Offline ANTdrew - Posted July 14 2019 - 5:26 PM

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I’m planning to make one of these for my Crematogaster colony that are HELL BENT on escaping. It’s going to be a wierd inverted style sunk into hydrostone to prevent Houdini tactics.
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"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.





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