Jump to content

  • Gallery
  • Members
  • Member Map
  • 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

Gel Farms are really bad: Why exactly?

Started By Stubyvast , Jun 18 2024 4:53 PM

  • Please log in to reply
12 replies to this topic

#1 Online Stubyvast - Posted June 18 2024 - 4:53 PM

Stubyvast

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 318 posts
  • LocationBritish Columbia, Canada

So I've heard a lot about Gel farms. According to what I've heard, people say it's not good for ants at all. And although I'm not contradicting this, out of simple curiosity, why is that so? Does it have to do with chemicals inside the food? Or the fact that they eat the same material that they dig through? Any answers would be welcome.

 

antworks-product.png


Currently raising: 

Manica invidia (1 queen +  ~200 workers)

Manica invidia (1 colonies, 1 queens plus 3 workers - released other colonies)

Lasius niger (single queen + ~200+ workers)

Lasius americanus (1 colony, ~10 workers 

Tetramorium immigrans (1 queen + ~1200 workers)

Tetramorium immigrans (4 colonies, 4 queens - hopefully get some buyers this upcoming school season)

 

"I discovered that if one looks a little closer at this beautiful world, there are always red ants underneath."

      - David Lynch

#2 Offline GOCAMPONOTUS - Posted June 18 2024 - 5:42 PM

GOCAMPONOTUS

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 950 posts
  • LocationRocklin,CA

first of its known to mold


Currently keeping: 2 C.vicinus colonies.2 C.sansabeanus. 1 C.leavissimus. 2 C.Ca02. 1 V.pergandei. 4 T.immigrans.1 F.pacifica. 1 C.hyatti

1 M.ergatognya

 

 

 

 

Trying to get my hands on :C.modoc,A.vercicolor, and Any Honeypots

  

 

 

#3 Offline GOCAMPONOTUS - Posted June 18 2024 - 5:44 PM

GOCAMPONOTUS

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 950 posts
  • LocationRocklin,CA

they also don't acually provide the nessecary food for the ants nor good humidity.


  • Stubyvast and Temno like this

Currently keeping: 2 C.vicinus colonies.2 C.sansabeanus. 1 C.leavissimus. 2 C.Ca02. 1 V.pergandei. 4 T.immigrans.1 F.pacifica. 1 C.hyatti

1 M.ergatognya

 

 

 

 

Trying to get my hands on :C.modoc,A.vercicolor, and Any Honeypots

  

 

 

#4 Offline IdioticMouse26 - Posted June 18 2024 - 6:25 PM

IdioticMouse26

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 206 posts
  • LocationSeoul, Korea

Also probably the fact that its translucent doesn't help since ants like the dark.


  • Stubyvast and cooIboyJ like this

#5 Offline GOCAMPONOTUS - Posted June 18 2024 - 7:05 PM

GOCAMPONOTUS

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 950 posts
  • LocationRocklin,CA

Not all ants are affected by being in the light


Currently keeping: 2 C.vicinus colonies.2 C.sansabeanus. 1 C.leavissimus. 2 C.Ca02. 1 V.pergandei. 4 T.immigrans.1 F.pacifica. 1 C.hyatti

1 M.ergatognya

 

 

 

 

Trying to get my hands on :C.modoc,A.vercicolor, and Any Honeypots

  

 

 

#6 Offline IdioticMouse26 - Posted June 18 2024 - 7:32 PM

IdioticMouse26

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 206 posts
  • LocationSeoul, Korea

Well, most ants. Espically queens in early founding stages. And if the area they consider a nest is bright. 

But your also totally right, I have seen colonies from youtube where the ants are chill even if lights are shined one them, mostly big colonies.


Edited by IdioticMouse26, June 18 2024 - 7:45 PM.

#7 Offline BleepingBleepers - Posted June 18 2024 - 7:46 PM

BleepingBleepers

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 256 posts

Too bad though, it does look kinda neat. It's somewhat visually appealing from an outsider's standpoint. Throw some lights into that, have a rave :headbang:. 

 

I'm suddenly developing a craving for some jello....Homer Simpson "mmmmmmm....Jello......"


  • bmb1bee, Stubyvast, AsdinAnts and 1 other like this

JOURNAL: Camponotus CA02 - First Time At Ant Keeping CLICK HERE

JOURNAL: Ectomomyrmex cf. astutus - Ant Species #2 CLICK HERE

#8 Online Stubyvast - Posted June 19 2024 - 3:46 PM

Stubyvast

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 318 posts
  • LocationBritish Columbia, Canada

Haha you got that right. Yeah I've always thought these look pretty cool, even if they don't support ants very well. Well, thanks everyone! Interesting discussion. 


Currently raising: 

Manica invidia (1 queen +  ~200 workers)

Manica invidia (1 colonies, 1 queens plus 3 workers - released other colonies)

Lasius niger (single queen + ~200+ workers)

Lasius americanus (1 colony, ~10 workers 

Tetramorium immigrans (1 queen + ~1200 workers)

Tetramorium immigrans (4 colonies, 4 queens - hopefully get some buyers this upcoming school season)

 

"I discovered that if one looks a little closer at this beautiful world, there are always red ants underneath."

      - David Lynch

#9 Offline Temno - Posted June 19 2024 - 5:23 PM

Temno

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 39 posts
  • LocationOregon

Haha you got that right. Yeah I've always thought these look pretty cool, even if they don't support ants very well. Well, thanks everyone! Interesting discussion. 

Also the gel in the farms doesnt have enough nutrients for the ants.  Also when the ants make a trash place it will mold.


  • Stubyvast likes this

#10 Offline GOCAMPONOTUS - Posted June 19 2024 - 6:41 PM

GOCAMPONOTUS

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 950 posts
  • LocationRocklin,CA

 

Haha you got that right. Yeah I've always thought these look pretty cool, even if they don't support ants very well. Well, thanks everyone! Interesting discussion. 

Also the gel in the farms doesnt have enough nutrients for the ants.  Also when the ants make a trash place it will mold.

 

you put in better words :lol:


  • Stubyvast likes this

Currently keeping: 2 C.vicinus colonies.2 C.sansabeanus. 1 C.leavissimus. 2 C.Ca02. 1 V.pergandei. 4 T.immigrans.1 F.pacifica. 1 C.hyatti

1 M.ergatognya

 

 

 

 

Trying to get my hands on :C.modoc,A.vercicolor, and Any Honeypots

  

 

 

#11 Offline IdioticMouse26 - Posted June 19 2024 - 7:13 PM

IdioticMouse26

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 206 posts
  • LocationSeoul, Korea

I heard somewhere that NASA is the creator of gel farm


  • Stubyvast and cooIboyJ like this

#12 Online Stubyvast - Posted June 20 2024 - 9:28 AM

Stubyvast

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 318 posts
  • LocationBritish Columbia, Canada

Yes apparently they used gel farms to test insect behaviour in outer space, and that's where it originates from.


Currently raising: 

Manica invidia (1 queen +  ~200 workers)

Manica invidia (1 colonies, 1 queens plus 3 workers - released other colonies)

Lasius niger (single queen + ~200+ workers)

Lasius americanus (1 colony, ~10 workers 

Tetramorium immigrans (1 queen + ~1200 workers)

Tetramorium immigrans (4 colonies, 4 queens - hopefully get some buyers this upcoming school season)

 

"I discovered that if one looks a little closer at this beautiful world, there are always red ants underneath."

      - David Lynch

#13 Offline ZATrippit - Posted June 24 2024 - 9:58 PM

ZATrippit

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 105 posts
  • LocationWaikato, NZ
1. The gel moulds easily
2. Chambers can cave if the ants tunnel too much
3. The light disturbs (most) ants that are kept inside, meaning they're constantly stressed
4. The gel does not meet their dietary requirements
5. Often sold with/ filled with lone workers, meaning colonies are unsustainable beyond a few months
  • DEAD_DOG and Stubyvast like this
FROM NEW ZEALAND YEAHHHHHH!!!!!!!Species I have:3x Iridomyrmex undescribed2x Ochetellus glaberFree Queen Ants- 100% Legit (not a scam):<p>https://blogs.mtdv.m...free-queen-ants
Back to General · Next Unread Topic →


1 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 1 guests, 0 anonymous users