ANTSTORE World of Ants

[Maolo]

Yes, you read right. I've just finished to build my new glass nest, and it is 50x50x10cm. I ordered the glasses before reading what I've read in this last 3 weeks, so now i think i've done it a bit too big...
I was thinking to put some expanded clay at the bottom, about 5 cm, and over it 35cm of sand/loam mixture.
Now the question is: what species of ant do you believe I should put in this enclosure?

At first I thought about Myrmica rubra, then I switched to Pheidole pallidula and Lasius niger. Now I'm thinking again about Pheidole... I like all of them, so I ask your advice. Also which one builts biggest nests? If I buy Pheidole will it build a nest bigh enough to occupy all the basin?

Tnx a lot guys.

[miszt]

depending on the species Pheidole will fill a large nest quickly, it really depends on your experience, and how well the nest is made, whether i'd recomend Pheidole, they are excellent escape artists, and will chew thru anything, even the tiniest hole will be an exit for them

Most european species will live well in your tank, it may take a while to fill of course, Lasius niger are the fastest growing in the EU, except for Pheidole

Camponotus will do well in your farm, they are nice big ants, but fairly slow growing (the temprate species), but they have large colonies once they reach maturity, which takes around 36months if they are well fed

Formica are a fairly fast growing species, and many have large colonies, fusca or sanguinea are nice

something i'm sure you have considered already, but should say, a 50x50x10cm tank will fill with nearly 30kg of sand, thats allot of weight if your glass is not very thick

its generally a better idea to choose your species and design their nest based on what htey need, rather than the other way around

[Maolo]

Well, the glass is 5mm, I thought that it would be enough as 3mm glass is enough 4 50 lt aquariums...but now...is 5mm enough in your opinion?

[JimmyVe]

I suppose it is strong enough to hold the sand.
I would go for a Camponotus species, your tank is big enough for bigger ants, so...

[miszt]

5mm should be fine, most aquariums have stronger glass than 'standard' glass