ANTSTORE World of Ants

[woutern]

Hey,

I just bought my fist colony (Camponotus ligniperda), just checking if i have everything to begin with .

I bought:
1 x dried flies 12g
1 x Book: Principals of keeping ants
1 x drinking trough (35ml)
1 x seal adhesive tape 5m x 8mm x 1mm
1 x Glass basins 30x20x20 cm with 27mm drilling
- shipping: package additional
1 x Lid glass + grid 30x20 cm
- shipping: package additional
1 x rubber plug 25,0 - 31,0 mm
1 x sand loam mixture white 200g
1 x formicarium moss small 150g - M
1 x Insect Vitamin Jelly 16g
1 x Camponotus ligniperda

My idea was in the beginning just placing the tube in the basin and later on make a nice big vertical ytong. I already got a block standing of 60x40x7.
So if i'm missing anything or someone has any ideas for improvement?

Thanks

[Uncletommy]

I think you covered all bases there buddy. I just finished building my Y-tong for my c. lig colony. Its only 200mm / 150mm, but will do for the time. Post some pictures when you get yours set up, cos id love to see it.

[jartok]

Nice i just got mine last week. dont see no ptfe on the list but i guess ur taping . i find these ants very fasty moving

[woutern]

Oke i just recieved everything!!!

She looks very nice and big:) i've build up the outerworld with some sand and loam and moss. The tube is in the outerworld with some moss over it so that she feels nice and secure. I have set up a little drinking place in front of the tube with sugarwater. Together with soms fishfood:). I have sprayed some water over the whole basin but im kinda wondering if it is enough, maby anybody has a advice on humidity of the basin for me?

Any other advice is also welcome:)

[Uncletommy]

I've had mine a year in a test tube and she was happy enough. The water ran out in one so i put another fresh tube next to the older one, within a day of water running out in the old one, she had moved. They are a large species and in my (terrible) experience with PTFE i found that they were too big to fit through the gaps around the top on antstores starter basin.....so maybe just a lid will be suficient. I'm actually unveiling the new y-tong later on today......

[SteveUK28]

Cant wait uncletommy And i hope she does very well for you Woutern.

[woutern]

the tape seals the lid really good so no escaping in my basin:P she is now bussy doing things what ants do:P, to my surprise she is really active sorting out her eggs and stuff. She is also pulling on the wadding that blocks the water, dunno if that is a sign that i should give her some?

[ashhad1]

its normal but if she starts pulling off to much just make sure it doesnt overflow and kill her brood. But they tend to never pull of that much so dont get scared of wat i said xD wat i wud do is just leave her be and wait till the first worker hatches as im guessing there are non.
good luck with them

P.S: it takes quite ALOT of time for this species to grow in size as i own this species myself xD but the wait is worth it once the majors come hatching out

[woutern]

I don't really have time for her now so im leaving her all alone. I just give nem sugarwater every 3/4 days. I hope i will have my first worker in a month or so. How long does it take with your ligniperda to get from egg to ant? And do you use a heater? Maby you can post some pictures of your colony and formica for me?

[ashhad1]

Check my old diary for this species though i ahvtn updated it recently but will, i believe all your questions shud be answerd there.
Heres the link: http://www.antstore.net/viewtopic.php?f=194&t=7420&st=0&sk=t&sd=a