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joshua867: Ideas for a Messor barbarus setup? (4. Aug 2013 23:19)

Hello everybody

I am wanting a new colony and I wanted to try Messor barbarus, now I have been looking around for ages wondering what would be the best set up. I have been looking at Ytongnest - Premium 45x25x5 with it's flat nest and glass covering the nest will be great for viewing, I though as well I can link it up to other basins I have even another ant farm. The reasons why I am wanting a artificial ant farm is, I have had other Messor colony's before and they would die out from mites (caused by the sand) other reasons our that I would be able to view the ant farm and this will be great for photography.

So people if you have a great Messor barbarus setup and it works for you, please share your information as I would love to start a Messor colony again :)

Thank you
Joshua

yomchi86: Re: Ideas for a Messor barbarus setup? (24. Apr 2014 09:17)

Hi Joshua,

Messor b arbarus are great aren't they :) Below is a link to some pictures of my set up for the Messors, it's a sand/loam mix at the moment but they are close to outgrowing their nest. As such, I've just purchased a YTong nest (A vertical one that's extra large). I've never had issues with the sand before thankfully. I know what you mean about viewing them though, with my nest it's difficult to see one side of the nest due to the location in the room. The ants have pretty much removed most of the sand now though lol as you can see on the pictures :)

Hope that helps

http://myrmecology-blog.co.uk/ant/index.php?/category/2