Ytong ant farm question?

[baggers]

Just a question really can they be bought already made or do they have to be made by the person?

[djant]

Yep they can  - Antstore, CGAnts and Queen ant shop sell ytong nests. Antstore's nests seem to be a little cheaper but that's without postage which can be pretty expensive. From Antstore you can order uncarved ytong too so you can decide on your layout. I haven't actually ordered ytong nests from these companies though so I can't comment on the quality and I've found it dirt cheap to make your own from aerated concrete. Hope that helps.

[baggers]

Yeah thanks for that I just fancied trying different tanks but I'm not very artistic which is why I thought I would have a look. Cheers I'll check them out.

[djant]

No problem I'm not artistic either but making the ytongs was easier than I thought it would be! The first one was a bit of a disaster but the blocks are big enough to make 2-3 nests out of (and only for £1.40). Or for gypsum nests you can try tarheel ants or anthills.net but to be honest I haven't used gypsum and from what I hear is similar to plaster which can go mouldy (but the nests do look great), but it is a similar look to a ytong.

[baggers]

Yeah I may try and make one how do you cut the block then? Yeah all the ones I've seen do not have foraging tanks which I would quite like to use for the ants to explore

[Wood~Ant]

Apparently Wickes and a few other DIY stores sell aerated concrete blocks (Ytong) which can be cut to size with a good saw, and you use an old screwdriver or cold chisel to cut out the chambers as it is quite soft; but if you use any power tools to make a Ytong nest make sure you use a mask and goggles as it gives off a lot of dust.

Check out this thread How to make a Ytong Nest

[djant]

That's exactly what I did! And a saw will definitely do the job. It's amazingly easy to cut.

[baggers]

That is clever isn't it too dry in there tho how would you keep it damp :/ or do you not have too....

[djant]

I'm using my ytong for Messors which don't need a very humid nest so as long as there is a test tube with water in it in their foraging area they should be fine. But for species which like humidity you can carve a little chamber that is not covered by the glass, which you put water into. The water will soak through the rest of the ytong.