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Sced: Gypsum (27. Dez 2006 01:28)

Hello :D

I am building a gypsum nest for a colony of Camponotus ligniperda and I was wondering if anyone has experience with making gypsum nests.

I have ordered a 30x20x1 gypsum plate and a 30x20 glass plate and also a glass cutter.

The main information I need really is moulding the chambers,
For example what instruments I will need and tips on keeping it damp

Also any other tips with Camponotus ligniperda and gypsum modelling will be much appreciated. :D

Luke

JimmyVe: (27. Dez 2006 12:22)

Hi Luke,
What is your idea to make ? As you can see the plate is only 1cm thick so i think it is better you make a display from it, glass plates on both sides.
If you do that you can make rooms in the gypsum plate with a screwdriver. you need to have an out world to where you can feed them.
In my experience gypsum is not so easy to keep wet. maybe if i understand more with your intenseness are with it i can help you a bit more.

Try to make a nest with a main tunnel and several rooms come out on this tunnel, at the end of the tunnel the entrance to the nest, this is one of the easy things and it works for most species.

Greets

Sced: (27. Dez 2006 14:07)

Thanks JimmyVe
Luckily enough I have another sheet of 30x20 glass here so I will Make a display as you said.
I also have a mini arena and a tube to connect to the nest.
Thanks for your help :)

JimmyVe: (27. Dez 2006 15:26)

That is great, now you can start building ;)
To keep it wet maybe you can put some water in a tube and connect that to the nest, but be ware that the ants do not drown.
put some picture here if your are finished.

mpir: (27. Dez 2006 16:45)

30x20x1 ??? :shock: And you want to put Camponotus ligniperda in there? It is only the biggest ant species in Europe!!!!! :D

I'd make everything twice that big, at least. 60x40x2 :wink: And I'd replace that mini arena with a big one. Of course for the start of a colony the original idea is ok. But it will be outgrown very fast. Consieder puting some wood in that arena or make nest out of wood.

You can keep gypsum nest wet the same way as you'd keep your ytong nest. Make holes in it or make canals, fill them with cotton and keep them damp.

Looking forward to some pictures. :wink:

Sced: (27. Dez 2006 16:47)

Ok
I've decided to make the nest out of ytong, and I have a large amount of it so i shall make it big, maybe 60x40 like you said Mpir

Thanks

JimmyVe: (28. Dez 2006 20:26)

;) Y-tong is indeed better (my opinion) that is true, 60*40 is better but for a starting colony (like yours) 30*20 is fine. If i have i new colony i keep them in a tube with a small out world and if they outgrow it i move them to a bigger nest.
If you put a small colony in a big nest they won't be able to keep this clean and only use 2 or 3 chambers of the nest.

Sced: (28. Dez 2006 20:30)

Thank you, when they grow they will use the rest of the chambers?
Hopefully the ants and materials will come tommorow or the nest day, so I will post a few pictures of the nest and the ants in theis topic :)

JimmyVe: (29. Dez 2006 12:12)

Indeed if they grow they are going to use the rest of the chambers, but mean wile they just use them to dump stuff.

Looking forward to see some pictures. ;)

Sced: (29. Dez 2006 12:42)

Ok thanks
Im just having a break from making the nest.
The colony is healthy, 2 majors and 5 mnors,queen and a pile of eggs :)
Ill get some pics soon

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