ytong blocks

[elitzchupa]

Where could I obtain ytong blocks in the UK?
I hear AAC thrown around but that seems to be a horrible grey colour in a store caked wickes.

[Stapleburger]

The stuff from Wickes is what I have used. 

However, I did see a guy on a different site who had stained his to a better colour.  He used lots of tea bags and hot water and put the ytong in a bath of tea, then let it dry out,  so that it dyed it a sandstone colour.

[Wood~Ant]

Mar 20, 2014 15:18:23 GMT elitzchupa said:

Where could I obtain ytong blocks in the UK?
I hear AAC thrown around but that seems to be a horrible grey colour in a store caked wickes.

The bigger DIY stores may stock aerated concrete blocks. It depends on what species of ants you wish to keep, as not all ants take to life in Ytong nests. 
Welcome to the Ant Hill where you will find a lot of information around our boards, as most of the forum is now open to you. 

[elitzchupa]

It's Lasius niger that I'll be keeping. I have looked at aerated concrete blocks but they are a grey colour and not very pleasant to look at. I preferred the white ytong but it's hard get hold of. I might try dying it. Would a water based paint work?

[Jenny]

Better water based than a spirit one, as these give off fumes and need a long time to disperse in the fresh air. This video shows Adam painting a plaster nest  painting plaster video

[elitzchupa]

How deep would the Chambers have to be for a Lasius niger colony?

[Wood~Ant]

Mar 21, 2014 12:59:47 GMT elitzchupa said:

How deep would the Chambers have to be for a Lasius niger colony?

I would say that a chamber depth of an inch (2.5 Cms) would be plenty, and actual chamber sizes are best varied so some are bigger than others to make it look like a real ant nest. 
For example, chambers where ants keep larvae and pupae tend to vary according to how much brood there is and how many there are.