Jump to content

  • Chat
  •  
  •  

Welcome to Formiculture.com!

This is a website for anyone interested in Myrmecology and all aspects of finding, keeping, and studying ants. The site and forum are free to use. Register now to gain access to all of our features. Once registered and logged in, you will be able to create topics, post replies to existing threads, give reputation points to your fellow members, get your own private messenger, post status updates, manage your profile and so much more. If you already have an account, login here - otherwise create an account for free today!

Photo

need ideas


  • Please log in to reply
15 replies to this topic

#1 Offline Dirt_rider09 - Posted October 9 2013 - 10:00 AM

Dirt_rider09

    Newbie

  • Members
  • Pip
  • 8 posts
  • LocationPensacola Fl

need ideas on what i can fill my farm with it is 5'X2'x1"

 

Antfarm_zps8505764e.jpg

 

i am putting Pogonomyrmex badius in it. 

 

hopping someone has some opinions i am open to everything 



#2 Offline dspdrew - Posted October 9 2013 - 10:11 AM

dspdrew
  • LocationSanta Ana, CA

I'll just post what I told you already. I am planning to make something similar for Pogonomyrmex subnitidus, and I plan to fill it with clay dirt. I am going to soak it all down and allow it to dry leaving it very hard and sturdy to prevent any collapses. Now, if I'm not mistaken, I think P. badius live in very sandy soil, so I'm not sure if this would be the best option for you, but a mixture of dirt and sand might work.

 

Also, I think an inch might a little bit too thick, because that's going to give them enough room to dig their tunnels away from the glass on either side, which will kill your visibility.



#3 Offline Dirt_rider09 - Posted October 9 2013 - 10:35 AM

Dirt_rider09

    Newbie

  • Members
  • Pip
  • 8 posts
  • LocationPensacola Fl

I'll just post what I told you already. I am planning to make something similar for Pogonomyrmex subnitidus, and I plan to fill it with clay dirt. I am going to soak it all down and allow it to dry leaving it very hard and sturdy to prevent any collapses. Now, if I'm not mistaken, I think P. badius live in very sandy soil, so I'm not sure if this would be the best option for you, but a mixture of dirt and sand might work.

 

Also, I think an inch might a little bit too thick, because that's going to give them enough room to dig their tunnels away from the glass on either side, which will kill your visibility.

 

Yeai thought about that but i figured i can put cardboard on the sides so they will be more prone to dig on the glass



#4 Offline Crystals - Posted October 9 2013 - 11:28 AM

Crystals

    Advanced Member

  • Moderators
  • PipPipPip
  • 2,048 posts
  • LocationAthabasca, AB (Canada)

I never had luck with sand, but I have heard of re-inforcing sand with small amounts of hydrostone to prevent collapses.  If the right ratio is acheived, the ants can dig, but collapses do not occur.

 

My favorite medium is grout (as it is about all I can find locally), and that would make a nice nest.  But you wouldn't be able to see them digging.  Grout can be made very porous with perlite in the mix, making it much lighter and more absorbant.

 

I am a bit nervous about the wooden frame warping as it is constantly in contact with the damp soil.

 

I look forward to seeing what you will eventually do with it.


"Always do right. This will gratify some people, and astound the rest." -- Samuel Clemens

 

List of Handy Links   (pinned in the General section)

My Colonies


#5 Offline Dirt_rider09 - Posted October 14 2013 - 11:21 AM

Dirt_rider09

    Newbie

  • Members
  • Pip
  • 8 posts
  • LocationPensacola Fl

if i used dirt do i need to do anything to id to make sure it has no toxins or mold or such in it?



#6 Offline dspdrew - Posted October 14 2013 - 12:10 PM

dspdrew
  • LocationSanta Ana, CA

if i used dirt do i need to do anything to id to make sure it has no toxins or mold or such in it?

What I do with any dirt that I use for pets or plants is bake it in the oven at around 300 degrees for an hour or so.



#7 Offline Dirt_rider09 - Posted October 14 2013 - 5:40 PM

Dirt_rider09

    Newbie

  • Members
  • Pip
  • 8 posts
  • LocationPensacola Fl

okay that is what i was thinking about doing, i was planning on making mayers of different material so it didn't look like a black wall. i was thinking of mixing some substraits with vermiculite or perlite so add stability and moisture control... what ya think of that idea?


Edited by Dirt_rider09, October 14 2013 - 5:40 PM.


#8 Offline Dirt_rider09 - Posted October 14 2013 - 5:55 PM

Dirt_rider09

    Newbie

  • Members
  • Pip
  • 8 posts
  • LocationPensacola Fl

formicariumframe_zps6147416f.jpg

 

So this is the framework to the big thing!!!!

 

I think i will dress it with redwood i have laying around but i don't want to till i find i good soil mixture and such. 

 

i am very satisfied with how it turned out! I was thinking though.... it is 1 inch think; think i will be able to see the tunnels?



#9 Offline dspdrew - Posted October 14 2013 - 6:22 PM

dspdrew
  • LocationSanta Ana, CA

i am very satisfied with how it turned out! I was thinking though.... it is 1 inch think; think i will be able to see the tunnels?

That looks really nice. Do I think you'll be able to see the tunnels? In some places, but a lot of them will be hidden I'm sure.



#10 Offline Crystals - Posted October 15 2013 - 8:38 AM

Crystals

    Advanced Member

  • Moderators
  • PipPipPip
  • 2,048 posts
  • LocationAthabasca, AB (Canada)

Another thought, you could lay it on its side and pour a half inch of grout along the "back wall".  Which will limit them to the front half inch.  It will also help with moisture control if you use un-sanded grout and perlite.

Then you can add your soil mix to the front half.


"Always do right. This will gratify some people, and astound the rest." -- Samuel Clemens

 

List of Handy Links   (pinned in the General section)

My Colonies


#11 Offline Dirt_rider09 - Posted October 16 2013 - 9:41 AM

Dirt_rider09

    Newbie

  • Members
  • Pip
  • 8 posts
  • LocationPensacola Fl

Another thought, you could lay it on its side and pour a half inch of grout along the "back wall".  Which will limit them to the front half inch.  It will also help with moisture control if you use un-sanded grout and perlite.

Then you can add your soil mix to the front half.

 

Thankyou that is a good idea i will keep that in mind!



#12 Offline Crystals - Posted October 16 2013 - 11:53 AM

Crystals

    Advanced Member

  • Moderators
  • PipPipPip
  • 2,048 posts
  • LocationAthabasca, AB (Canada)

What are you going to use for an outworld?  Where are the tubes going to connect?

I think it would be way too hard to clean inside the glass panels.


"Always do right. This will gratify some people, and astound the rest." -- Samuel Clemens

 

List of Handy Links   (pinned in the General section)

My Colonies


#13 Offline AntCzar - Posted October 17 2013 - 11:11 AM

AntCzar

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPip
  • 20 posts

Looks like the setup I first built in Highschool! They work good but beware of the wood + moisture. If you're using dirt/clay/sand - DO NOT OVERWATER.



#14 Offline Dirt_rider09 - Posted October 20 2013 - 5:31 AM

Dirt_rider09

    Newbie

  • Members
  • Pip
  • 8 posts
  • LocationPensacola Fl

how did yours turn out AntCzar? i love to hear more about it!



#15 Offline nepenthes - Posted October 20 2013 - 8:48 AM

nepenthes

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPip
  • 29 posts
  • LocationCentral Ohio

Definitely invest in some "excavator clay" its a little pricey, but I think the ants could handle it if you include it in your substrate mix. It will definitely help maintain tunnels. I use it with my scorpions, 3/4 sand and 1/4 of the excavator clay and the tunnels hold up fine, even when I move there enclosures around. 



#16 Offline Dirt_rider09 - Posted October 20 2013 - 11:12 AM

Dirt_rider09

    Newbie

  • Members
  • Pip
  • 8 posts
  • LocationPensacola Fl

Definitely invest in some "excavator clay" its a little pricey, but I think the ants could handle it if you include it in your substrate mix. It will definitely help maintain tunnels. I use it with my scorpions, 3/4 sand and 1/4 of the excavator clay and the tunnels hold up fine, even when I move there enclosures around. 

 

i have thought about it i mean i really don't need much cause it is only a in thick i not even a cubic foot of dirt.

 

I planned on making different layers though... how much does it change the color of the sand?






0 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users