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Post by Wood~Ant on Nov 7, 2015 9:22:38 GMT
Coconut matting does rot away over a period of years, but as you don't need to keep it very wet (as Messor like it a bit on the dry side) you could even run a strip of it along the other end if you wanted to and fill in between with the soil.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 7, 2015 9:26:21 GMT
Just to make sure I understand you properly, are you suggesting I hydrate both ends?
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Post by Wood~Ant on Nov 7, 2015 9:34:03 GMT
Just to make sure I understand you properly, are you suggesting I hydrate both ends? If you have the matting at each end you then have the choice to dampen just one or both ends, depending on how dry the soil gets. As dry soil can collapse, you only need to keep it just damp; but from my experience with the Worm World I keep my A. senilis in, it would be a better option to be able to add water at both ends if it is required.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 7, 2015 12:43:13 GMT
Mesh attached and strips in. When it's dried I think I'm ready to add the john innes.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 7, 2015 13:10:34 GMT
I'd use sand, I've mixed white sand to aid visibility before! I'd worry you'll barely see them.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 7, 2015 13:48:09 GMT
I think I'm going to stick with the john innes mate, I like the more natural look I think. Not that living in plastic is natural
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Post by Deleted on Nov 7, 2015 13:54:47 GMT
Fair enough, I'm sure they'll Enjoy it more!
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Post by Deleted on Nov 7, 2015 15:12:25 GMT
I haven't actually given much thought to how to transfer them. Should I just connect them up and let them move themselves (assuming they want to!)? My new larger outworld hasn't arrived yet so I'm not sure if the old nest will fit inside and then the viewing window unscrewed.
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Post by Wood~Ant on Nov 7, 2015 15:37:33 GMT
Fix the feet on before filling it with soil, as this will make it stand more securely and not topple over. Don't think of it as a plastic nest, more of a plastic box container for a soil nest, and I cover mine with the cardboard sleeve so it encourages the ants to make tunnels and chambers next to the clear sides. You may find that once the workers discover the soil nest they will lay down pheromone trails and the rest of the colony will move in. Attach a length of tubing from the old nest into the new one, and keep the new one dark when not observing the ants.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 7, 2015 16:40:27 GMT
I intend to put the worm world inside the terrarium sunk into the soil as though you're seeing a slice of earth. One side will be against the glass, I just need to attach something to the outside of the glass then like black card or something similar to keep them in darkness. The outworld will sit on top of the soil.
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Post by Jenny on Nov 7, 2015 16:45:53 GMT
Think on when you fill it with compost, leave enough space like just over half full. When the ants dig they will push the soil up to the top with the excavated soil
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Post by Deleted on Nov 7, 2015 16:49:39 GMT
Hadn't thought of that, thanks Jen.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 8, 2015 12:03:56 GMT
Thank you. I want the best of both worlds - easy hydration whilst still allowing the ants to make chambers on the bottom. To this end I think hydration needs to be from the side like my coconut fibre strip idea. If I was to use this idea I think it might be best to silicone the coconut panel to the side. The bung at the top is a tight fit and would just be pulled out and then water syringed or dripped onto the coconut panel from the top. It should work its way down through the panel and provide that side of the nest with a humid side. Can anyone see any issues with this? With it being an enclosed nest in acrylic I can't imagine it dries out very quickly? I'm still debating with myself whether to continue heating the nest. If I was to heat this one I'd be inclined to heat from one side. Excuse the state of the window in the pictures! I must clean the sills. I really really like your idea,I am tempted to do a hybrid of both my idea and your idea.My worm world came in use back in july and my colony of nigers has gone crazy since the move so I hope your messors share the same success.My messors will move into a worm world in 3-4 months or when the numbers get to around 30 workers
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Post by Deleted on Nov 8, 2015 12:36:03 GMT
Right here we go, connected up and just a waiting game now. The worm world is in its final position, the new arena will be here next week so as long as they've moved out of the old nest by then I can remove that and add the new arena and then "landscape" around the lot. 7w heatmat on the back of the worm world. The egg crate is to keep an air gap, plastic behind the egg crate keeps the earth at bay. Black card on the outside of the terrarium that handily slips into the black terrarium surround so I can just lift it out to look in (if they make chambers on that side). I've had john innes in the terrarium since I bought it to bring it up to room temperature and dry it out a little. It came out of the bag very soggy and cold as ice. So the room temp john innes has gone into the worm world. For some reason the HA6 didn't stick the tank connectors well enough so they're now super glued in.
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Post by Jenny on Nov 8, 2015 14:06:48 GMT
Expect to have a long wait, they won't move out of their cosy spot quickly. It could take weeks or months, as they seem entrenched in the ytong. You have to hope they will go on the forage, taking the seed pot from the ytong might help
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