Chalky723: Which Formicarium?? (10. Feb 2007 02:37)

Hi Everyone - What a great site!!

I'm seriously looking into getting & keeping some ants. I'm a bit confused by some of the formicariums though! I know the Farm type ones (had a Miltons one when I was a kid). I have a couple of old fishtanks around the house & was thinking of a basin type.

I notice that some of the basins have balconies and apartments & like this idea. I was thinking of putting an empty tub in the middle of a small aquarium and surrounding it with soil - this would mean the ants would have to dig round the edges, but could walk on the top too - would this work ok?

If I bought/made an apartment balcony basin what would I put on the bottom floor? It looks like a bit of a waste otherwise!!

I have made a plaster (gypsum) formicarium which is still drying & I like the idea of a ytong block in a basin too - is this a good solution?

Thanks for getting me interested & thinking - my wife may not be so pleased though!!!

Regards,

Chalky

JimmyVe: Re: Which Formicarium?? (10. Feb 2007 15:50)

Hi Everyone - What a great site!!

I'm seriously looking into getting & keeping some ants. I'm a bit confused by some of the formicariums though! I know the Farm type ones (had a Miltons one when I was a kid). I have a couple of old fishtanks around the house & was thinking of a basin type.

Hi Chalky and welcome to this forum. ;)
Fish tanks can do the trick. But did you already think of a way to prevent the ants from breaking out ? if you use glide material (like paraffin oil) it is difficult with a fish tank, because they have silicon in the corners and the glide material don't work on silicon. So maybe it is better to use a lid.

I notice that some of the basins have balconies and apartments & like this idea. I was thinking of putting an empty tub in the middle of a small aquarium and surrounding it with soil - this would mean the ants would have to dig round the edges, but could walk on the top too - would this work ok?

My guess, this is going to work. ;)

If I bought/made an apartment balcony basin what would I put on the bottom floor? It looks like a bit of a waste otherwise!!

Maybe you can put some decoration in it so the ants have a bigger out world.

I have made a plaster (gypsum) formicarium which is still drying & I like the idea of a ytong block in a basin too - is this a good solution?

Y-tong is one of the best material to make a farm (in my opinion) it is easy to keep it wet and easy to handle.

Thanks for getting me interested & thinking - my wife may not be so pleased though!!!

Regards,

Chalky

;) Good luck with persuading your wife.
and happy ant keeping.
Greets

Chalky723: Re: Which Formicarium?? (10. Feb 2007 22:48)

So maybe it is better to use a lid.

I think you're right - I shall begin construction!!

Y-tong is one of the best material to make a farm (in my opinion) it is easy to keep it wet and easy to handle.

Great, I'll have a look round for the UK equivalent & have a go...

;) Good luck with persuading your wife.
and happy ant keeping.

Ha! We'll see.....

I'm very excited about this & have my youngest son on my side too - so at least I can use the excuse that I am educating him!! :wink:

Regards,

Chalky

JimmyVe: (11. Feb 2007 13:44)

lol ;)
Keep us informed. and maybe some pictures to, always nice to see how people make there nests. ;)
There is a nice gallery here at the site, maybe you can take a look there to have some ideas. ;)

one thing, did you already deiced witch species you are going to keep, each species has his one quality's (for example, Messor barbarus like there nest dry and Myrmica rubra like it wet)
so it is easy'er to deiced first witch species you are going to keep and then build a nest for them.

If you have more questions, just ask. ;)
Greets