ANTSTORE World of Ants

[ratgreen]

This is the making of the Epic ytong.
I finally bought some ytong and silicone sealant at Wickes, so i started on my messor setup today after smashing up one piece by accident. i just need to know any ways of improving it before i seal it up to the perspex(plexiglass) . For moisture i will be using 3 tubes that I will drill into the ytong and fill with water (ty Tigga for the idea) just any comment would be great, as i dont want to waste 2hours and 30 minutes just because i forgot something.

[ratgreen]

most of the tunnels are about 1cm wide and 1cm deep and the chambers are dark because i was trying to wash out the dust(its impossible to get it all out i swear,every time i was it more comes out,grrrrrrr i will win.)

[mpir]

It looks great... I love it. Do bare in mind that if the colony will not have any major problems they will out grow this set up in 2 years. "Expendable" is the word of the day.

[ratgreen]

yer that ok in two years i will have more cash for more tanks etc. does it seem useable though

[mpir]

It sure is usable. If I were you, I'd drill a hole or two on top and fill it up with gravel... and then use that holes for moistening the nest. M. barbarus doesn't need a lot of moist, but it needs some. Make sure that the part of the nest will stay dry. They will use if for storage of the seeds.

[SteveUK28]

yes very nice ratgreen, i will prob be puttin my barbarus in a ytong eventualy not untill they have a good 100+ workers tho.. for the mo they are happy in the ice cream tub setup im using with a test tube in the side.

[ratgreen]

good, thanks for feedback i am doing the moisture system today it will look something like this
its a bit stupid but you shoul get the idea. a tub with a tube that splits into 3 and are drilled into the ytong.

[SteveUK28]

mmm nice idea.. but the only problem is there it might get to moist for messor.. remember they need a fair bit of dry space otherwise the seeds will start growing.. n u dont want that.

[ratgreen]

yer about 3 of the chambers(bottom right 3 next to entrance for easy storage) will not get any moisture, also i have just cut about 1 inch off the top as it did not fit in the tank,lol. and the sillicone is drying as i type.

[ratgreen]

final setup.

[ratgreen]

they moved in in about 5 mins from putting the test tube in there as the queen got scared and the ytong was dark so she ran into it and the workers followed.

[mzfckr]

oh looks great! probably gonna make smth like you did.

[JimmyVe]

Looks great, pics and setup. Only one question, can't the ants climb on the tubes ? (the ones you keep the y-tong moist with)

[ratgreen]

yer but at the moment they are not connected to anything, but once it is connected i will coat the tubes with ptfe so they can not climb them.
also any ideas on warming the inside of the ytong up as at the moment it is only 23~24'c and i want it about 28~29'c, im thinking of getting a second bulb (a ceramic heater or infrared as they dont make light, except infrared,but they cant see red) and aiming it at the side of the ytong that i look through, but then would i have to get a thermostat, as things start to get expensive after that.

[marc.tulley]

looks great m8, i luv the y-tong nests , so cusomisable!
and visability is maximised

as soon as i made my 1st couldnt help plan my second.
Planning on doing something similar but with a log next.

mine:
http://www.antstore.net/viewtopic.php?t ... sc&start=0

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