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Post by deansie on Jan 8, 2014 16:20:00 GMT
Hey, just sharing the set up for my new Atta's, got them this morning and really happy with them, they are looking great. Nice size garden with even what looks like a solider , first time seeing one. The set up is quite simple at the moment, Storage box with a smaller storage box at the bottom that is filled with water and houses an aquarium heater set at 30 degrees. The box that houses the colony made up of John Innes No9 and coco fibre. I've made 2 holes in the lid and 2 holes in the following boxes. I then silicone the boxes onto the lid. So one is a feeding the other possible dumping area. I put a little play sand the in the 2 boxes to help catch any drips/ humidity etc and sticks in the holes for the ant to climb up. I've also put small ventilation holes in both boxes in the lids. I also put some tin foil round the heating box to help insulate it as its a cold room but I left the front foil free for viewing and so the colony have light coming in. Also got a temp gauge in there. Some pics of the queen and colony, even seen some brood Eventually will get a plastic shed in my back possible which I'll insulate etc to house these colonies.
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Post by Joona on Jan 8, 2014 16:36:41 GMT
Yeah thats a soldier from the looks of it. Looks a nice little colony and the fungus looks great (mine was in a million pieces lol). Atta are the harder to look after of the two you have as they require a more constant environment but once you crack it that fungus will grow like the clappers!
Good luck with them matey!
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Post by Wood~Ant on Jan 8, 2014 16:46:06 GMT
We will soon be having an Atta owners club here on the Ant Hill A lovely colony Deansie and I look forward to it growing over time, as I love following all the journals of you guys who are keeping Leaf Cutter Ants.
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Post by deansie on Jan 8, 2014 16:47:20 GMT
Thanks mate, yeh that's what thought seeing it, quite a size. Hopefully get these conditions within the parameters then can just tweek things. Really enjoy the leaf cutters,
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Post by deansie on Jan 8, 2014 17:02:17 GMT
Ha ha, Thanks wood ant, I'll keep it updated good or bad-though hopefully good!
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Post by Black Ant on Jan 8, 2014 17:16:56 GMT
I am amazed at the size of the queen as I read somewhere that they get to about 5cms or 2 inches. Nice photos and a good start to your journal.
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Post by Joona on Jan 8, 2014 19:34:21 GMT
Just curious here deansie, was that tub that they are pictured in the one they arrived in?
I'm gutted every journal I read theres arrive with soldiers but mine are just getting theres now three months later lol.
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Post by Jenny on Jan 8, 2014 19:44:34 GMT
Great to read another Atta journal, good luck with them Deansie. Now we have 3 members with this species it's like "The Atta Club",
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Post by deansie on Jan 8, 2014 19:59:26 GMT
Yeah thats a soldier from the looks of it. Looks a nice little colony and the fungus looks great (mine was in a million pieces lol). Atta are the harder to look after of the two you have as they require a more constant environment but once you crack it that fungus will grow like the clappers! Good luck with them matey! Thanks Joona, it does look a strong little colony to start with so fingers crossed. Soon as they go under ground and I see some fungus growth I'll be happy
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Post by deansie on Jan 8, 2014 20:02:57 GMT
Just curious here deansie, was that tub that they are pictured in the one they arrived in? I am gutted every journal I read theres arrive with soldiers but mine are just getting theres now three months later lol. I live not for from supplier so we meet half way, so its great for me and the ants plus I can pick his brains at the same time with questions lol. He said he thought there was a soldier that had just appeared so was a nice surprise. The colonies he has at the moment are strong, his words not mine. Least you have them now!
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Post by deansie on Jan 8, 2014 20:06:18 GMT
Great to read another Atta journal, good luck with them Deansie. Now we have 3 members with this species it's like "The Atta Club", Thanks Jenant, I know there becoming more common, I like the club lol
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Post by Joona on Jan 8, 2014 20:14:24 GMT
Ah nice, I envy you I'd love a chat with Andy! Some of his Ideas for habitats are just amazing, as is his knowledge!
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Post by deansie on Jan 13, 2014 20:25:35 GMT
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Post by Wood~Ant on Jan 14, 2014 8:27:34 GMT
As the new queen does not have the same colony scent, was there any special way of getting the old colony to adopt her in place of the one which died?
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Post by deansie on Jan 14, 2014 9:10:30 GMT
As the new queen does not have the same colony scent, was there any special way of getting the old colony to adopt her in place of the one which died? I never done anything, Andrew said just to keep the small ants and the fungus. I'm not sure if the fact I left the dead queen in the tub for a day made any difference. The missing soldier was found floating this morning also.
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