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Post by catelee2u on Apr 9, 2012 4:18:14 GMT
Hi All, I've never officially kept ants except for a colony which set up an outpost in our living room from outside and marched in for free pepsi (a couple of years ago) but have been reading up with the intentions of getting some ants soon. I've looked into traditional starter kits and ytong and will probably try to find some aesthetically pleasing but cheap tradeoff because I don't want a monstrosity in the living room. Any help with that appreciated. However I was looking on ebay and saw this: www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PENN-PLAX-AQUA-NURSERY-AUTOMATIC-CIRCULATING-HATCHERY-TROPICAL-FISH-TANK-HATCHER-/200698587127?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Fish&hash=item2eba9167f7Yes it's meant for fish but I could see the possibilities for this keeping ants and wondered what everyone thought because as I said I've never had a formicarium so don't fully comprehend everything having no experience. I'd more likely go for something much bigger than this, my Husband has mentioned making a home out of perspex for them but I was just curious.
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Post by Wood~Ant on Apr 9, 2012 6:00:03 GMT
Hi Cate, and welcome to the Ant Hill. I can see the possibilities in the kind of tank you found on EBay, and as long as it is escape proof for ants it should make a good home. Making any tank designed for fish or reptiles to be ant proof is always a challenge, but with some adaptation it is possible. I have used plastic tanks for some of my ants and they make a good home, although you won't see as much of the nest as the ants may dig into the centre of the soil, or from my experience on the base of the tank, which means you have to lift the whole thing above your head to observe them at work. Slimline upright nests are great for ant study, as are properly made Ytong or plaster nests set ups. So if your husband is good at DIY, and to be honest most men are better at it than I am ;D get him to make you a homemade set up sometime, as it can be cheap but effective.
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Post by catelee2u on Apr 9, 2012 9:23:01 GMT
Thanks very much and for fast replying!! DIY isn't his favourite thing but he is quite good at it. For the price of this little set I might be tempted to check one out in a pet shop closer up and see what it really looks like and see if it can be experimented with. I've seen a lot of ideas tonight...head is swimming with ytong and allsorts!!
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Post by thistle on Apr 9, 2012 12:40:42 GMT
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