mzfckr: some questions (28. Aug 2007 14:28)

Hello everyone,
this is my first post.ok i have some questions.after 2-4 weeks i will buy my first colony and all that ant-stuff.i think the best for me is Myrmica rubra colony( queen + 11-25 worker ) and i will put them into this
http://www.antstore.net/shop/product_info.php/info/p751_ANTSTORE-Starter-Set---glassfarm-arena---classic.html
glassfarm/arena .how do you think , this glassfarm will be good enough for this colony??? this glassfarm need ventilation ??? if yes how to install it?how much teaspoons need to one teacup to be a good sugarwater?do they need lighting?do these ants have special risks?

i will be glad to hear advices .

Mzfckr :)

miszt: (28. Aug 2007 14:38)

will be fine :)

Its should be ventilated enough already with the lid

You need only a tiny amount of sugar, put ~half a teaspoon of sugar in the dish, then a few drops of water, then place the sponge on top, you need to clean the dish every 2-3 days and add nu sugar solution to stop any molds growing. You also need to give them dead insects, the larave need protien to grow, or you can use a Protien jelly, they have some on here, or do a search of this forum, theres a recipe, but insects are better ;)

tbh you would be better giving them Honey, as it contains minerals n vitamins they need, otherwise you should also add somthing like Fish Flakes to the solution

These guys do Sting, so dont be tempted to poke around them to much, one is not to bad, kinda like a Nettle sting, more annoying than anything, but a few is not nice at all, put them in, and leave them alone :) they are aggresive! Sumtimes called The European Fire Ant, but dont worry, they aint half as dangerous ;)

Dont worry about lighting, keep them out of direct sunlight

miszt: (28. Aug 2007 14:39)

if you have any more questions, do a search of the forum, theres LOTS of posts about these ants that will answer all your questions i'm sure, if not post again :)

mpir: (28. Aug 2007 14:44)

Good choice of colony. :wink: I keep them too.

Farm is a good choice too. No problem with that. Make sure you keep the nest area damp. Don´t put too much water in as it might flood the tunels and they might drown. I doesn´t need any speical ventilation, just leave the arena part open for a while. But don´t leave it open as even if you have PTFE applied they might get out.
It´s hard to say how many teaspoons for cup. Don´t put it too much. Try different mixtures and see which one they like the most.
Lights? No need. They prefer dark places.
Special risks? They can sting you if you bother them too much. But it is not very painful.

Keep the nest damp, feed them regularly and they should be ok.

Good luck

mzfckr: (28. Aug 2007 14:55)

oh thanks for this information ;) !!

but theres comes more questions ...
whats pTFE?nest was where eggs is right?and how keep it damp?drop drops in the tunnels ?how feed ants with honey?put in the dish without sponge??how can i give that protein jelly?WHAT IS FISH FLAKES???

Mzfckr :)

Kiam: (28. Aug 2007 14:57)

PTFE is a substance that is supposed to make them fall when they are climbing up the tank and yes the nest is where the eggs is and you can sprinkle water on the nest to keep it moist or you can get a tube underneith and put water in there I dont think you should drop water down the tunnels if theres brood there for honey you just put some in the dish protein jelly i have no idea

Fish flakes are liek the flakes for goldfish that they eat ants do eat them to ;)

miszt: (28. Aug 2007 15:21)

PTFE is one option to stop them escaping, but i'd really recomend Vasaline, a 2cm band around the inside of the basin at the top will stop them getting out :)

mzfckr: (28. Aug 2007 15:26)

ok thanks.but when i will get the ants in the tube i need to open the tube and put in the arena or dont open and wait something??and if i have PTFE aplied how long time wait to next aply?and ptfe need only for arena?? and how much bottles of ptfe need to aply all walls?

please write a list where all things what ant needs :) like arena,ptfe,etc. i will be very happy about that.

Mzfckr :)

miszt: (28. Aug 2007 16:14)

unless you are planning on opening the Farm reguly, which u shuldnt do, u only need PTFE on the basin

Connect everything up, then Open the test tube when u receive them and put the test tube in the basin, they will find there own way into the farm :)

mzfckr: (29. Aug 2007 06:57)

question about sand & loam.a need just put it in the farm and thats all?or i need them compress or something?i need feed them 1time per day?

thanks about this information !! :)

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