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has anyone ever made a limestone formicarium?


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6 replies to this topic

#1 Offline brian - Posted April 24 2017 - 5:19 AM

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I have two large blocks of the stuff and its easy to cut up. But I'm wondering if it will be okay for ants.

#2 Offline drtrmiller - Posted April 24 2017 - 6:01 AM

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Sandstone might work, but limestone is too reactive and won't last long with all the compounds ants and their waste will produce.
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#3 Offline brian - Posted April 24 2017 - 8:10 AM

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Ya I was thinking it might be to soft and dissolve too easily. Thank you for your input it saves me some time and effort.

#4 Offline Subverted - Posted April 24 2017 - 12:14 PM

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I wonder how much formic acid would react with limestone... If you have a lot of limestone to spare it might be worth trying just to see how stable it is.


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#5 Offline Works4TheGood - Posted April 24 2017 - 5:52 PM

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I thought limestone was highly basic. They make Tums out of that stuff, don't they? Seems like they would eventually become taximg on the colony due to having a higher PH.
~Dan

#6 Offline drtrmiller - Posted April 24 2017 - 6:35 PM

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I wonder how much formic acid would react with limestone... If you have a lot of limestone to spare it might be worth trying just to see how stable it is.

 

The same person giving people advice on mixing dangerous chemicals into their test tubes, is asking how an acid will react with a rock primarily composed of calcium carbonate?




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.

#7 Offline Subverted - Posted April 24 2017 - 6:39 PM

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Well it obviously will react with it but I was wondering if neutralizing the formic acid might have beneficial effects for the ants...it might even be harmful.

Right now we have zero data about how limestone formicariums perform so don't you think it might possibly be worth someone trying if they have heaps of the stuff around?

My ants | My free feeder design | PM or email me if you need and 3d printing, cnc machining, or manufacturing done: http://www.lrmachining.com

Make your own mold/fungus/bacteria resistant test tube water! Don't get ripped off! Read my simple guide: http://www.formicult...-simple-how-to/

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