9 replies to this topic

[Lazarus]

I want to build a vivarium type setup for either one of my Camponotus Novaeboracensis colonies or one of my Formica Sp. I thought a few targeted searches would quickly help me out in figuring what soil mixtures would be appropriate by I found surprisingly little on the subject.

I imagine a typical answer would go along the lines of 'just take what soil you find around your place' since that is where the ants are anyhow. But even within just a few feet of my house there are areas that are mostly clay, some dryer sandy areas and other mixtures. A Queen looking for a place to found a colony would have lots of choices to pick what is best.

Any suggestions or links? Is potting soil OK to use or do they treat those with chemicals (natural or otherwise) that may prove to be detrimental? Should I create a mixture of x% clay, y% dry, etc. Perhaps mix in some sphagnum moss?

Any help or advice would be appreciated.
 

[ANTdrew]

I use soil with a high clay content in my vivariums mainly because that’s the only soil we have in my area. Clay has the advantage of forming solid collapse-proof tunnels plus it retains moisture very well.
I definitely don’t sterilize it either because I wanted it to be bioactive with decomposers.

Another thought I had is that soil around the typical house is highly disturbed, so that’s why you see so many different types. Maybe you could find a less disturbed area where your target ants are nesting and gather from there?

Edited by ANTdrew, August 9 2019 - 1:34 PM.

[Lazarus]

I definitely don’t sterilize it either because I wanted it to be bioactive with decomposers.

 

I definitely want the bioactive aspect. As a matter of fact I would have started this project earlier but definitely wanted a springtail colony going to have them on 'cleanup duty'. I had no luck trying to catch my own but thankfully fellow member rbarreto was able to point me to a local source.

Within reason, I want to have as biodiverse a vivarium as possible. Anything that won't be harmful to the ants and that I won't have to worry about escaping will be a bonus.

[rbarreto]

Go check out nordic ants on youtube. He has the best vivarium I've ever seen.

[Canadian anter]

I'm working on several vivaria and I normally use a mix of a clay substrate, sand, charcoal and sphagnum moss

[AntPhycho]

I have used eco earth ( https://www.amazon.c...LMXRLPQLV&psc=1 )for vivariums in the past when I had anoles. I believe it would a perfect substrate for both plants and ants. 

[Lazarus]

Go check out nordic ants on youtube. He has the best vivarium I've ever seen.

 

I've been watching his videos for a long time and they are certainly part of my desire to create a much, MUCH smaller version of his gigantic setup. Talk about biodiversity! He's got some creatures in there that I've never even seen before. And as lame as his jokes may appear to some, I find the guy quite funny at times. Very entertaining.

[Lazarus]

I have used eco earth ( https://www.amazon.c...LMXRLPQLV&psc=1 )for vivariums in the past when I had anoles. I believe it would a perfect substrate for both plants and ants. 

 

Thanks. I did note that in a lot of vivarium setup videos people tend to include coconut fibers (as this mixture contains). But since my local climate certainly does not sustain coconut palms, or any palms at all, it would not be something in my local soil.

 

So the question I ask myself is should I just stick to ingredients that I would find in my local soil or use anything I can to make and "ideal" soil mixture? Since I will have some plants and moss, I'm trying to find something that would accommodate them as well as the ants.

[ANTdrew]

Nordic Ants is a great channel! Another great channel worth checking out is Serpa Design. He makes all kinds of bioactive vivariums and terrariums.
My vote for you is to just go local. It seems easier, cheaper, and may bring in beneficial bacteria that local ants need to thrive. We’re only just starting to understand the soil micro-biome.

[Lazarus]

Nordic Ants is a great channel! Another great channel worth checking out is Serpa Design. He makes all kinds of bioactive vivariums and terrariums.
My vote for you is to just go local. It seems easier, cheaper, and may bring in beneficial bacteria that local ants need to thrive. We’re only just starting to understand the soil micro-biome.

 

Yeah, I've been watching Serpa too. That guy sure knows his plants. I can't even pronounce half of them much less know the difference. Another example where he sometimes uses coconut fibers in his "goto" recipe for soil. I tried making a few self-contained vivariums like his last year but they did not turn out well, but a huge reason was that I used really small containers (and I did not have springtails! ).

Edited by Lazarus, August 11 2019 - 2:38 AM.