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Post by IceWhyte on Aug 16, 2011 19:34:49 GMT
Hi there,
Sorry if my threads seem silly but I am kind of new to this, keen to learn and don't want to put the ants at risk.
Could someone please give me info on heating? I am going to need some sort of heating for the winter months and at night. I had a look online and I see heat matts and lighten but I don't know whats best or how either will work.
Thanks
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Post by Wood~Ant on Aug 16, 2011 19:56:34 GMT
A heat mat that is used for reptiles and is thermostatically controlled is fine, and set to about 21 Celsius give or take a degree if you are wanting to use it for ants such as Messor
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Post by IceWhyte on Aug 16, 2011 20:33:36 GMT
Hey guys, Thanks for the info and kind words. Ok I will get one of them. Do they just sit underneath the tank? Will it heat the tank to 20 or is it just the mat that goes to 20? Thanks
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Post by Kyle on Aug 16, 2011 22:32:40 GMT
For the placement of heat mats I'd put them on either the side or on top of the tank/farm, as ants in the wild when it gets too hot retreat further deeper underground to escape the heat.
Normally the smaller (in size) the heat mat the hotter they tend to be E.g. I have a small 10.2 x 12.7 CM 4 Watt mat and that's one of the hottest I've got, but it can only really be used to produce a "hot spot" rather than warming the whole tank, so really it depends if you want a "hot spot" or to heat the whole tank.
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Post by IceWhyte on Aug 17, 2011 9:12:28 GMT
Hey thanks for that information,
That makes a lot of sense and I wouldn't want to over heat them. So I have read that these ants will do better if the temperature is slightly higher, and by using one of these mats that creates a "heat spot", how will this provide the ants with the extra heat in the nest? I am guessing the queen won't leave her nest to go to the heat. I was also looking at the thermostats but the ones I have found are pretty pricey.
Thanks
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Post by Wood~Ant on Aug 17, 2011 9:35:19 GMT
If you're thinking of keeping Messor barbs Icewhyte, I personally have kept them for 4 years and never used a heat mat. I simply keep them in a warm room during winter and they have adapted, so I think it is not necessary to use extra heating if you have somewhere which is warm enough, as central heating radiators keep the temperature fine even during frosty nights
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