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Help! Which Formicarium should I buy?

formicarium beginner

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39 replies to this topic

#21 Offline Mercutia - Posted January 8 2015 - 4:44 AM

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I actually have to agree, the Grotube is really great when it comes to viewing the colony. The flat top and the shallow tapering chambers means the ants can find a place to get comfortable that is ideal to them. The shallowness makes viewing them up close and personal very easy. And it is great for reuse, the water reservoir lasts quite a while. Considering it comes with a bajillion bells and whistles does add to the value.

 

However, I still think a test tube for your purposes is more than adequate and way more afordable. All you really need is two and you can cycle between them well. The water reservoir in a test tube lasts a long time and even if it gets moldy, all you'd have to do is attach the new test tube and let your ants move into that one. And at the size of your ants, a test tube setup would last you a very long time before you would need to invest in a real formicarium. I would reccommend this above all because it will take your colony some time to grow into needing a formicarium and by then, who knows what crazy awesome products are going to be on the market by then. I know Byformica is working on some new modular acrylic designs that I'm pretty stoked for. Also AntsCanada has mentioned to me that he's got a whole new line of products coming up. I don't keep in contact with TarHeels so I can't speak for them.



#22 Offline William. T - Posted January 8 2015 - 5:21 AM

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Why isn't the Uncle Milton Ant farm that bad? I will moisturize it when the substrate is dry and attach more ant farms to the original one as the colony grows.


Species I keep:

 

1 Lasius cf. Neoniger 30 workers

1 Camponotus sp. 15 workers

20 Tetramorium SpE 30 workers

1 T. Sessile 200 workers

 


#23 Offline Mercutia - Posted January 8 2015 - 5:27 AM

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Are you talking about the flat sand ones or the gel ones?



#24 Offline William. T - Posted January 8 2015 - 6:32 AM

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The flat sand ones of course.


Species I keep:

 

1 Lasius cf. Neoniger 30 workers

1 Camponotus sp. 15 workers

20 Tetramorium SpE 30 workers

1 T. Sessile 200 workers

 


#25 Offline LAnt - Posted January 8 2015 - 7:43 AM

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When they get moldy youre kinda screwed and your ants might not like the thin walls, I'm not exactly sure.

#26 Offline Mercutia - Posted January 8 2015 - 7:48 AM

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Problem with free form formicariums too is that they are prone to cave ins.



#27 Offline Crystals - Posted January 8 2015 - 7:49 AM

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Are you are referring to the ones with the white perlite filling, or an actual sand filling?

 

The perlite one isn't realy feasible, moisture issues, problems with brood when they come into contact with the perlite, etc.

 

If it is a sand one, that is a bit of a different story.  It highly depends on what type of sand mixture you use.  The mixture is important due varying levels of moisture retention, tunnel collapse, mold, and visibility.

Discussions on the best substrate have been bounced around in a few threads, this is one - http://www.formicult...strate#entry660

 

AntsCanada has some kind of special sand that doesn't collapse easily.  I am not sure if he sells it seperately, but he has had a colony in his with no issues for some time now.


"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


#28 Offline dean_k - Posted January 8 2015 - 8:22 AM

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AntsCanada has some kind of special sand that doesn't collapse easily.  I am not sure if he sells it seperately, but he has had a colony in his with no issues for some time now.

 

Substrate that doesn't collapse easily is called Moondust, I think. Basically, soil-like substrate found outside have gone through erosion and their edges are smoothed out. Moondust or substrate made by breaking off rocks hasn't gone through erosion and their edges remain sharp, thus making them stick even without the aid of H20.

 

I think Mythbusters Moon landing episode also covered this.



#29 Offline drtrmiller - Posted January 8 2015 - 10:22 AM

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AntsCanada has some kind of special sand that doesn't collapse easily.  I am not sure if he sells it seperately, but he has had a colony in his with no issues for some time now.

 

Substrate that doesn't collapse easily is called Moondust, I think. Basically, soil-like substrate found outside have gone through erosion and their edges are smoothed out. Moondust or substrate made by breaking off rocks hasn't gone through erosion and their edges remain sharp, thus making them stick even without the aid of H20.

 

I think Mythbusters Moon landing episode also covered this.

 

 

You should link us.  I couldn't find anything on it.




byFormica® is the manufacturer of the iconic nectar feeders and Sunburst Ant Nectar.
byFormica ant products always deliver consistent performance, convenience,
and reliability, making them among the most beloved ant foods and kit enjoyed by
ant keeping enthusiasts worldwide. For more information, visit www.byFormica.com.

#30 Offline dean_k - Posted January 8 2015 - 10:30 AM

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Nothing to link to because it came off my head.

 

Watching Mythbusters Moon Landing Hoax episode talks about Moondust that are NASA-made substrate that mimic soil on Moon. Moondust didn't collapse easily when stepped on even when it was completely dry.

 

That is where I got the idea from.

 

 

Edit: Around 1:50 mark.

 


Edited by dean_k, January 8 2015 - 10:32 AM.


#31 Offline drtrmiller - Posted January 8 2015 - 10:41 AM

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Good idea.  

 

Except I don't think most places will have access to lunar regolith, nor will ants appreciate living in a vacuum chamber for more than a femtosecond or so.

 

Haha :~)


Edited by drtrmiller, January 8 2015 - 10:41 AM.



byFormica® is the manufacturer of the iconic nectar feeders and Sunburst Ant Nectar.
byFormica ant products always deliver consistent performance, convenience,
and reliability, making them among the most beloved ant foods and kit enjoyed by
ant keeping enthusiasts worldwide. For more information, visit www.byFormica.com.

#32 Offline dean_k - Posted January 8 2015 - 10:45 AM

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True. However, I still think you can just make them by breaking off rocks. It won't be as effective as the real thing but it should prove to be more effective than regular soil.

I personally think it's what AntsCanada uses.



#33 Offline Mercutia - Posted January 8 2015 - 11:30 AM

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I don't think AntsCanada sells that substrate anymore. I couldn't find it when I visited their products page.



#34 Offline William. T - Posted January 8 2015 - 3:19 PM

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They don't. If I get an ant farm, I will hydrate it often. Or I can get the Queen Ant Shop Substrate.


Species I keep:

 

1 Lasius cf. Neoniger 30 workers

1 Camponotus sp. 15 workers

20 Tetramorium SpE 30 workers

1 T. Sessile 200 workers

 


#35 Offline Gregory2455 - Posted January 8 2015 - 3:30 PM

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I am pretty sure volcanic ash has the same consistency as lunar regolith. By that, i mean the roughness of the particles. 



#36 Offline LAnt - Posted January 8 2015 - 4:09 PM

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Cough cough test tube.

#37 Offline benjiwuf - Posted January 8 2015 - 4:46 PM

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pheidole, i think the main thing they're all trying to say is that an ant farm from uncle milton (or any toy store for that matter) simply was not intended for long term use, even with materials changed out.there are however, many great alternative that do not break the bank and offer different pros and cons each ie. TarHeel Ants Talus and Growth Chamber, ByFormica's GroTube, and a traditional test tube setup(if i missed any others i apologize). however the choice is ultimately yours on what to use.



#38 Offline Spamdy - Posted April 14 2017 - 7:14 AM

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Mini Hearth from Tar Heel ants as it looks wonderful and is the perfect setup for your camponotus ants as I have mine in the Mini Hearth. Good Luck! ;)


All my colonies are dead. 

 

 Except:

  

  Pogonomyrmex barbatus

  Pheidole obscurithorax

  Pheidole morens


#39 Offline drtrmiller - Posted April 14 2017 - 7:35 AM

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Mini Hearth from Tar Heel ants as it looks wonderful and is the perfect setup for your camponotus ants as I have mine in the Mini Hearth. Good Luck! ;)


Did you notice the last reply to this topic was over 2 years ago?
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byFormica® is the manufacturer of the iconic nectar feeders and Sunburst Ant Nectar.
byFormica ant products always deliver consistent performance, convenience,
and reliability, making them among the most beloved ant foods and kit enjoyed by
ant keeping enthusiasts worldwide. For more information, visit www.byFormica.com.

#40 Offline Jelly - Posted April 14 2017 - 8:32 AM

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Mini Hearth from Tar Heel ants as it looks wonderful and is the perfect setup for your camponotus ants as I have mine in the Mini Hearth. Good Luck! ;)


Did you notice the last reply to this topic was over 2 years ago?

 

 

Hey Dr T

I was reading through this not realizing its 2 years old and the links on your prior posts are no longer active. 

More specifically the links for "GroTubes", i am rather new here and unfamiliar with these. 

If this product is still available can you send me a link please?







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