markm
Nurse Ant
Posts: 83
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Post by markm on Nov 14, 2008 21:16:34 GMT
So I went out on my lunch break today and picked up a cheap 10 gallon glass fish tank to house my ants come spring. It is the first step but none the less I am excited and wanted to share. I have started my plans in my head and they have evolved a bit into wanting to do something more in the line of the 19th or so picture down on this site... www.akolab.com/fourmis/forum/viewtopic.php?f=50&t=12074The one that looks like a ant mound and has sand on the bottom of the rest of the tank. It looks natural and I think it would be fun to try and mold somthing like that. Why does the person have the red tint over the glass where the ants live? Do they think it is dark because of the red and you don't have to cover them up?
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Post by Jenny on Nov 14, 2008 22:15:53 GMT
Why does the person have the red tint over the glass where the ants live? Do they think it is dark because of the red and you don't have to cover them up? If you want to observe ants at night, it means putting a light on. This startles them and can result in stressing the colony. Ants can't detect red light, but they can white, and therefore red film can be used either over part of a nest or over a flashlight, even a red bulb can be used in the room they are in to keep stress levels to the minimum. If a queen gets stressed she is liable to eat her first brood.
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markm
Nurse Ant
Posts: 83
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Post by markm on Nov 17, 2008 17:09:03 GMT
So can you sub the red tint verses keeping them covered up while not observing them?
Also, I contacted some people state side and looks like I have some Ytong coming to my house in a week or so! I am excited about being able to build a few enclosures so I will be set to go in the spring.
What is the best way to form the Ytong? I suspect a dremel or something would work wouldn't it?
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Post by Wood~Ant on Nov 17, 2008 17:56:44 GMT
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markm
Nurse Ant
Posts: 83
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Post by markm on Nov 17, 2008 18:10:20 GMT
Thanks wood ant. I should have a flat piece like in your example and a block.
I would like to use the block in the corner of a tank. have 2 of the sides touching the glass of the tank and them chisel the block to look like a hill.
I am thinking I should have 3 formicariums by spring!
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Post by Formicalondon on Nov 18, 2008 18:50:50 GMT
Hi Markm I constructed my old set-up using a fish tank and plaster. I would suggest using plaster of Paris for this method as I have used the finishing plaster you have on interior walls and it has caused many problems for me in the past. Simply lay down the tank and build a removable mould on the wall of the tanks that is easy to remove once plaster is set I shall post a diagram.
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markm
Nurse Ant
Posts: 83
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Post by markm on Nov 21, 2008 21:49:26 GMT
So tonight is the night for my first "build" as stated in past threads I want to have 3 formicariums up for spring and summer and my kid will be staying with her grandparenst tonight! So with that said I will have time to myself to build my plaster set up. I have the plans and will add to this thread with pictures of the build, I even set up a photobucket account just for ant pictures! I know, I'm a bit ahead of myself as I don't have any ants yet, but soon!
So with my plaster set up I plan on having the tunnels and chambers against the glass with an outlet for the ants on the bottom verses the top and the bottom of the tank as a foraging area. I plan on using play sand for the bottom of the tank and I'll spruce it up with rocks, sticks, etc.
My main questions right now are after I pour the plaster and it dries how does one "attach" the mold to the side? Will it remain upright on it's own or should I use some silicone sealer along the edges to hold it in place? Also I have read that if the ants have to much room they may use one of the chambers as a "dump" for their waste. I would like to fill the chambers with play sand so they can dig as they need more space. Does this seem reasonable? I have read I should bake the sand for awhile to kill whatever may be in it so I was thinking of baking it at 400 for say 1/2 hour, again, does this seem about right?
Lastly, am I to ahead of myself. If I get this built and all sealed up against the glass with sand in it, it will likely sit until at least spring if not next summer. Will the sand/plaster, etc harbor unwanted bugs during it's long wait for ants? If so I can wait and build more towards when it is feesible to find a queen
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Post by Black Ant on Nov 22, 2008 17:06:15 GMT
Silicone sealant should be fine to hold it in place. Just make sure it sets before you take your hands off the plaster nest, as it will break the glass if it falls over and leave you I don't think your ahead of yourself, as it is never too soon to prepare a good ant set up for your colony
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markm
Nurse Ant
Posts: 83
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Post by markm on Nov 23, 2008 4:50:03 GMT
Alright, a few hours later and I have finished molding and pouring my first plaster nest!!!!! It really wasn't that bad. I read and watched enough stuff that I think I kinda knew what I was doing and what to expect. So I took some pictures, hopefully you will enjoy. Please tell me what you think as it was my first time and I'm sure I did something wrong! The plan.. Molding Final mold Pouring the plaster Finished pouring Now I just wait until tomorrow to see if it worked! I will post pictures of the plaster after it is dry and the clay is dug out tomorrow. Mark
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markm
Nurse Ant
Posts: 83
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Post by markm on Nov 23, 2008 7:52:36 GMT
Well its a few hours later and I figured why not pop the plaster out and see what it looks like. It took a bit of trying but the plastr came out without to much struggle. The plaster mold looks good and I think all I'll do to it is a bit of sanding to smooth it out and then it should be ready to go. here is the plaster nest!
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Post by Zarbi on Nov 23, 2008 9:43:02 GMT
Looks good to me, as at least you've provided plenty of nice sized chambers for the ants to live in You'll find that they will use some for brood, others for the queen and food storage, while some will hardly be used at all; but they tend to swap brood around a lot, so it will all get used when the colony gets big enough.
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Post by Wood~Ant on Nov 23, 2008 10:10:15 GMT
Thanks for posting pics of how you've made your plaster nest. It is always good to use photos to illustrate a set up, and it provides a useful step by step guide for others to follow should they also choose to do a similar type of set up in the future Are the 2 holes leading from the nest into the tank area going to be at the base? I think this will be better than having them at the top. The ants will not have to climb up and down each time they forage for food, and can get it into the plaster nest quicker too
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markm
Nurse Ant
Posts: 83
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Post by markm on Nov 23, 2008 17:38:44 GMT
Yes, the 2 holes are for entrance for the ants and I was planning to have them at the bottom of the tank because I wanted the bottom of the tank to be the foraging area and I figured they would come out right to it verses having to climb down to the bottom. But if you think it is better for them to climb in up top, I'm sure I could just flip the nest around and have them coming in and out at the top. I'll have to rethink a plan to help them get to the bottom like a ladder of some sort but that shouldn't be to hard. I'm sure I could fine some wood or a rock they could climb down on. Do you think it will be a big deal if I leave the entrance at the bottom? I also did 2 entrance/exit holes because I had read it was better to have 2 for air circulation?
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Post by Jenny on Nov 23, 2008 17:53:50 GMT
Mark, have a read at Wood Ants post again above yours. He did say, "the holes would be better at the bottom". I am glad you have taken photos from the beginning, as so many antkeepers get so wrapped up in making the formacarium, the photos get forgotten until the end.
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markm
Nurse Ant
Posts: 83
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Post by markm on Nov 23, 2008 18:03:02 GMT
Opps! I guess I should have reread the post!! Good, I will keep them at the bottom as per my plan. Can't wait to fill the thing up!
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