ANTSTORE World of Ants

[Kurgan]

So after trekking across London to the parcel depot I have my Lassius niger queen with a few workers and my starter set. I have a few questions however - sorry!

-Is it best to dampen the sand to put into the farm or should I just pour it in, dry as dust.
-Is it okay to keep the tube in the basin part of the setup or should I put the whole thing on one side for now and just keep the tube in a small tupperware box (the basin seems to meet this description but I've also heard of people hooking the tube directly up to the port on the farm - this seems to be a long distance from food/water in the basin! (I see now the caresheet on the forum says both of these methods are ok but what would more experienced keepers suggest?
-I've read that the colony does not need protein until it is larger but how soon should I offer honeywater?
-Do you leave the bottom of the basin bare or do you add a thin layer of sand?
-I haven't got any clay aggregate balls, are there any other methods you would suggest to keep things moist than the straw/clay method?

I've read the Lassius niger caresheet but are there any other online resources I should read? I'll post some pics when things are set up

[tail__]

- The arena don't need to be damp, it's better if dry, otherwise ants can try to dig in damp sand and move there.
- Ants in natural environment usually need to travel at least a few meters to food, so don't worry it will be too far
- Of course every colony need protein food! Where did you read such nonsense? They need food when the first workers hatch. Small insects (not larger than ants) would be best.
- Ants don't really care, but sand looks much better than bare glass or plastic.
- Arena don't need to be moist, water in the tube will be enough for a few months (if it is not wide open, of course), you need simply to replenish water in nest when it becomes too dry.

[miszt]

Pour the sand into the farm dry, then add water, be careful not to put to much water, as Tail says, you dont need to add water to the basin substrate

Yep no problem putting the test tube in the basin section, and again as tail said, its not to far

As soon as you have Brood (ie eggs/larvae) you need to give them protien, and they should have a supply of sugar or honey at all times

do what ever you like with the basin

you can also use gravel instead of clay aggregate balls, but gravel doesnt hold water aswell, so you need to keep an eye on the moisture inside th farm as it will dry out more quickly

[Kurgan]

All set up now. My colony actually has about 10 workers (i'm sure it didn't have more than 4 the first time I saw it!) as well as a few eggs and one pupae. I've got it all set up now, using gravel and a straw to keep the farm moist. The tube is in the basin and the workers have already found the honey water and are making regular trips. Tomorrow I will try some protein, depending on what I can find, probably a small piece of earthworm
Exciting! (my wife disagrees).
Thanks for help