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Fortress or Fallen Fortress?

Started By Devi , Dec 5 2020 6:44 PM

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8 replies to this topic

#1 Offline Devi - Posted December 5 2020 - 6:44 PM

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602 posts

LocationDenver, Colorado

Hey guys,

I am thinking about getting a colony of Pogonomyrmex occidentalis from THA, (queen with 20 workers) and I was thinking of getting a fortress or fallen fortress possibly. Is one better than the other? What formicariums would you guys recommend for a colony this size? (from THA please)

Thanks so much guys!

Ants_Dakota likes this

#2 Offline Zeiss - Posted December 5 2020 - 7:10 PM

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1,231 posts

LocationFountain Valley

Something flat is best for viewing since Pogonomyrmex are usually very dirty ants. They will cover the side-viewing nests with their crap and random other things, haha.

Ants_Dakota and Swirlysnowflake like this

#3 Offline Spazmops - Posted December 5 2020 - 8:58 PM

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558 posts

LocationDenver, Colorado

My Pogonomyrmex looooooove covering their glass, but they spend most of their time on the ceiling, which they wouldn't be able to do in a fallen fortress.

Ants_Dakota likes this

Co-owner and founder of Mountain Myrmeculture and The Menagerie Discord Server.

Ants I have:

1 Formica fusca group- 0 workers

1 Tetramorium immigrans colony-20 workers

1 Dorymyrmex insanus- 1 queen, used to have workers

1 large P. occidentalis colony- around 50 workers, plenty of brood

#4 Offline ANTdrew - Posted December 6 2020 - 4:24 AM

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10,502 posts

LocationAlexandria, VA

I recently got a Fallen Fortress for my Pheidole, and I love it. I chose the Fallen Fortress for better viewing of the tiny species. Another thing I like about the Fallen design is how you can look over the nest area to see the outworld, whereas in the Fortress, the outworld is blocked in a way.

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

#5 Offline AleeGuy - Posted December 6 2020 - 8:35 AM

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383 posts

LocationNorthern Virginia

Fallen because Pogonomyrmex are bad climbers, so it will prob be easier to go to another chambers that are at the same level than in fortress where they have to climb up.

Manitobant likes this

#6 Offline Spazmops - Posted December 6 2020 - 8:43 AM

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558 posts

LocationDenver, Colorado

Fallen because Pogonomyrmex are bad climbers, so it will prob be easier to go to another chambers that are at the same level than in fortress where they have to climb up.

They're bad at climbing plastic but just fine at climbing type 3 material. As I said, mine spend more time hanging upside down on the ceiling than on their water tower.

AleeGuy likes this

Co-owner and founder of Mountain Myrmeculture and The Menagerie Discord Server.

Ants I have:

1 Formica fusca group- 0 workers

1 Tetramorium immigrans colony-20 workers

1 Dorymyrmex insanus- 1 queen, used to have workers

1 large P. occidentalis colony- around 50 workers, plenty of brood

#7 Offline Manitobant - Posted December 6 2020 - 10:04 AM

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LocationWinnipeg, Canada

I'd do the fallen fortress since you have Pogonomyrmex, as they are bad climbers and probably wouldn't trash the glass as much.

My journals:

Polyergus Mexicanus: https://www.formicul...gs/#entry175528
Lasius minutus: https://www.formicul...cs/#entry174811
Lasius latipes: https://www.formicul...gs/#entry206449
General acanthomyops journal: https://www.formicul...yops-with-eggs/

#8 Offline OhNoNotAgain - Posted December 6 2020 - 4:50 PM

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LocationCalifornia Argentine Ant Territory

Yup, you should see the horrendous dirty mess that is my Pogonomyrmex subnitidus mini-hearth. I can't see a thing. I'm getting some flat stuff (e.g. Fallen Fortress) just for them.

And I agree - I like the Fallen Fortress and Labyrinth design a LOT. Great visibility. Can easily find the queen. etc.

Ants_Dakota likes this

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Veromessor pergandei, andrei, stoddardi; Novomessor cockerelli

Camponotus fragilis, Camponotus sansabeanus (inactive), vicinus, laevigatus/quercicola, CA02

Pogonomyrmex subnitidus, P. californicus (inactive)

Liometopum occidentale (inactive); Prenolepis imparis; Myrmecocystus mexicanus (inactive); Tetramorium sp. (inactive); Lasius sp.

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#9 Offline Devi - Posted December 6 2020 - 5:55 PM

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602 posts

LocationDenver, Colorado

Thanks everyone for your advice and recommendations! I decided to go for a labyrinth... More can be found here. https://www.formicul...is/#entry171728