Click to view full story of "Lighting"

needforfreedom: Lighting (19. Nov 2006 23:20)

Up untill recently my ants have been in a tank on my desk. But I have now dedicated a whole cuboard big enough to walk into and stand to the ants. Now that they have more space for expansion I am planning to build tanks fitting to this new space. Mainly one 100x100x100 cm for a new colony in the coming year.

Now that they have an independant space Im considering temperature regulation and Instaling lights. At the moment I have two small colonys.

One L.Niger colony with around 8 workers and one queen in hibernation, Living in a basic antstore Basin.

And a L.Flavus Queen still in a test tube also in hibernation.

I dont think that temperature regulation will pose much of a problem for these species as they naturaly occur here.

However I was wondering If the installation of lighting would be advantages to these ants as otherwise they will be in almost comlete darkness 24 hours a day.

Will instaling lighting give them more of a sense of above and below ground and where they are likely to find food?

Should I have two diffrent kinds of lighting for day and night?

Any suggestions are welcome

sithmaster676: (20. Nov 2006 07:16)

it would be better for the ants if you had a light on them when it is light outside to simulate the nature i dont think it would hurt them if it were 24 hrs of darkness but i do know that having a light would be good for them:)
Sithmaster676

JimmyVe: (20. Nov 2006 21:15)

It wouldn't hurt them to be in complete darkness.
In nature they are now below ground for there hibernation. so...

needforfreedom: (20. Nov 2006 22:54)

Yes they are undergound. I was thinking more of instaling the lights for the summer months as I have plenty of time on my hands just now. And I dont want to change too much of their habitat when they come out of hibernation.

I would be keeping them in complete darkness at night and during the winter but was planning on providing them with a daylight lamp for about 12 hours a day during the summer. Im not sure if I should use a "night" lamp at night during the summer

needforfreedom: (20. Nov 2006 23:00)

I might not have been clear. My problem is that in order to dedicate the space I want to my ants they will be in 24 hour darkness all year round.

JimmyVe: (20. Nov 2006 23:58)

Then i have to stay with sith his answer. During the winter they spent most of the time underneath the ground. but it is nice if they come out they can see some light.
In summer time (are spring - fall) it is best they have light when it is light outside. Simulate the nature.