24 replies to this topic

[LowQualityAnts]

Does it matter what sand or soil i use? I was looking at the substrates on joshsfrogs but i don't really know what substrates would be good. Would a combo of the river sand and the bioactive desert mix be good?

[TypeD]

 

Looks nice, what kind of ants have you got in there?

 

A compressed sand/soil mix doesn't take water very well and you'll likely end up flooding chambers and the drainage a lot.

 

While I agree about compressed substrates in general, this hasn't been my experience with a mix that's predominantly sand/clay. Sand on its own has excellent drainage, and I haven't found that the addition of clay (and a bit of soil) makes any difference with that. The viv I posted drains quite well, considering how compacted it is.

 

I suspect compaction becomes more of a factor for drainage the higher the soil content there is in a mix, although I don't know why. Just what I've observed from trying different mixes.

 

 

Does it matter what sand or soil i use? I was looking at the substrates on joshsfrogs but i don't really know what substrates would be good. Would a combo of the river sand and the bioactive desert mix be good?

 

 

I think most anything would work well as long as it isn't too heavy-grained. AFAIK desert sands tend to be fine-grained.

[LowQualityAnts]

Alright thanks! I think all my questions have been answered.

[AntaholicAnonymous]

Thanks TypeD, I have messor barbarus in there.

The type of ants you want to avoid flooding because they store seeds. That's why I'm so careful with the substrate the more consistent I get the moisture gradient in the soil the less problems they have with their seeds sprouting.

[TypeD]

Thanks TypeD, I have messor barbarus in there.

The type of ants you want to avoid flooding because they store seeds. That's why I'm so careful with the substrate the more consistent I get the moisture gradient in the soil the less problems they have with their seeds sprouting.

 

That makes sense! Admittedly I do get some stray sprouts in mine, haha. I didn't spruce my viv up like you did so I don't mind them too much.