ANTSTORE World of Ants

[JimmyVe]

I have finally find a few minutes to take more picture of the nest.
I hope this is a help for the people here.

Here we go .

[Azzer]

Nice one Jimmy, that explains how to make the YTong "expandable" without having to disturb the colony when expanding. Good plan!

I am thinking that perhaps between us, we could/should write a bit of a basic tutorial - how to set up & maintain a Y-Tong colony. I have seen (and in fact asked myself) many questions about Y-Tong, covering all different aspects (from purchasing, to carving, to maintaining, to moving it around/where to keep it for hibernation, to expanding it, materials to use, whether it should be kept in darkness, red light, or can be kept open, moisture, etc. etc.) - perhaps a bit of a "guide" covering everything all in one go to be stickied would be helpful for future generations of ant-keepers who wish to set up a Y-Tong?

[JimmyVe]

in deed, that would not be a bad idea. (if only i had a bit more time. )

We could put the basics in a sticky, to make a y-tong, but for keeping it moist and covered it depends witch species you are going to keep in it.

But i agree, it would be very useful for starters.

off topic: Do you have MSN ? Maybe we can work something out.

[SteveUK28]

Jimmy.... How big is that ytong block.. cos here the biggest you can get them is like 17-18" long...

[JimmyVe]

The block is 60cm * 25cm and 7cm thick.

[SteveUK28]

Sorry Jimmy u may have covered this elsewhere but ive not seen it.. is that outworld glasss... and if so.. how did u cut a hole in the bottom??

[Messorus]

Hehe. Nice ytongs Jimy, I post here some of mine. I like naturaly forms of rooms in ytongs, and I´m making ytong by this....

[darradar]

very nice Messorus, Its fascinating to see how we all strive to the best of our abilities to provide for our ants.. and a very informative way to learn about different housing techniques simply by looking at our photos... KEEP IT UP EVERYONE

[Messorus]

Thanks Darradar
And for everyone- I can make ytong specially for you If you want to be interested, send me a PM

[JimmyVe]

Sorry Jimmy u may have covered this elsewhere but ive not seen it.. is that outworld glasss... and if so.. how did u cut a hole in the bottom??

I don't think i already said it before. The out world is a plastic fish tank. In one piece so no silicone in the corners. PTFE has trouble with the silicone.


I know my y-tong don't look very natural, but i make them this way because it is easier for the ants to have one big hall and that the rooms are connected to it. If the colony is still small it doesn't matter that much, but if you have a big colony and they need to carry the food to one of the bottom rooms... difficult for them if they have to crosse al the other rooms.
In nature they expand the nest when the colony grows and they can make rooms and hallways like they think it is best.

[SteveUK28]

Thanks for that jimmy.. How did u make the hole then??? Something hot to melt through it??? And also any chance of a new pic??? preferabily a close up
Also have u put any ground into the tank.. IE.. SandLoam??

[Messorus]

I had seen it, than you are making only halls in, but I think halls are also good, because when you have a really huge colony, it´s better to have them in halls.... I will be think about ,,hall ytong" (:D:D) like second ytong nest for Cremato scuterallis...

[JimmyVe]

I make the holes with a dremel,
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No there is no sand ore anything in the farm, if you give them that, they probably use it to cover up the glass.
Which part doe you like a close up from ?

@Messorus: in deed, for bigger colonies it is a good setup, i also put my small colonies in it and close off a part of the nest, if the colony grows i remove it, that way i don't need to build more y-tongs. They grow with the colony.

[ant dude]

hey eveyone

this week i'm gonna practice making my first ytong, i'll let u know how i do with it(probaly badly) lol........just fault i'll give it ago, steveuk28 persuaded me to try it lol .......THANKS STEVE!!!

[darradar]

wowzers Antdude, may i wish you every success...!! its fun to try, lol it took me 3 times till i was 100% satisfied with what i could produce, but like i said, its fun to do...... cant wait to see your results..!!