ANTSTORE World of Ants

[sits]

I've just recieved my order and I have no idea what I need to do as there doesn't seem to be any instructions. Below is what I ordered-

1 x air (flexible) tube d: 5 mm
1 x queen: Lasius niger
1 x Fodder: sugar-honey-fluid
1 x rubber plug 6,0 - 10,0 mm
1 x 10x tube link for 8/10 mms of hoses
1 x flexible tube glassy 8/10 mm
1 x drinking trough for ants, small
1 x ground: potter´s clay granulate
5 x ground: desert sands red 2.25 Kg
1 x Ant Display Deluxe
2 x ground: loam

I would appreciate if anybody could help me out! Here are my questions...

1) When I ordered the Ant Display Deluxe it recommended several things including 5 sand, 2 loam and 1 potters clay. The bags of sand are considerably bigger than the loam so do I have enough loam? Do I just put one box of potters clay at the bottom, mix the loam and all the sand together and put it in?

2) I saw a picture where somebody had a pipe going into the clay with cotton wool at either end and water in the middle. Do I use the flexible tube for it?

3) How do I use the drinking trough?

4) What are the tube links for? It was recommended when I ordered the Ant Display but I've got no idea what to with them.

5) How long can I leave the queen in the tube for?

Thanks in advance for any help for this complete beginner!

[Martin S.]

to 1.) first you put the potter clay 1cm on the ground, after this, you mix sand and loam together and put this in the farm (only 2/3 of the farm)
to 2.) you can use a tube or a pipe for this, but you must close the end of the pipe with cotton.
to 3.) If you have a glass basin, you can put this on the ground.
to 4.) this is to connecting the 8/10 mm tube on the farm or if you want to tubes together.
to 5.) some weeks.

Sorry for my bad english

Greetings Martin

[sits]

Thanks, Martin, for your speedy reply and your english is great!

Just a few more questions!

1) Do I use all the sand? Each bag is 2.25kg but the loam container is very small so do I mix all 5 bags with the 2 loam?

2) But I can use the flexitube (green) for this?

3) I don't have a basin so I guess I don't need this

4) I don't really understand this. What tubes would I connect together? I've only got one tube (I'm assuming the glass tube is what the queen came in.)

5) Good as it is taking me awhile to get my head around this!

I was reading with another post that I mix the sand and loam, put it in on top of the potters clay and then compress it. I then add water to bind it together. How much water and how long does it take?

Again, thanks for your help!

Tony

[Martin S.]

to 1.) in the 2.25 kg sand is a little bit loam. but if you make a mix 5 loam/sand with 2 loam, than I thing you have a good mixture. but you can make a small test before you mix all together.
to 2.) Yes, is possible too.
to 3.) fot the antbox (10 cm high) is it to large, perhaps you can cut it small.
to 4.) if you have two tubes 8/10 mm, than you can connected it together or you connectet the tube to the other formicarium with this adapter.
to 5.) please carefull with the water do not make a aquarium on it. make the ground wet but slowly.

Greetings Martin

[sits]

Thanks again, Martin!

Just to be clear mix all 5 bags of sand with the 2 small containers of loam. (I'll do a test first but what I'm looking for? A mixture that sticks together?)

Thanks!

[Martin S.]

Hi Tony,

normal, we mix 3-4 sand with 1 loam, but in your 2.25 kg sand is some loam too. better you make a test and if the mix good than you can make a big mix.

Greetings Martin