Naturalesque Leaf Cutter Formicarium
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- Pupa
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- Joined: Tue Nov 06, 2018 5:14 pm
Re: Naturalesque Leaf Cutter Formicarium
I legit was considering this idea actually lol, it would make EVERYTHING so much easier. Just drill some ventilation holes and leave them alone and allow for free movement of the vapors.
Maybe add a little sponge as a "stopper" at the top to trap the vapors?
Maybe add a little sponge as a "stopper" at the top to trap the vapors?
- Acromyrmexbob
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Re: Naturalesque Leaf Cutter Formicarium
I would definately go down this route.
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- Pupa
- Posts: 78
- Joined: Tue Nov 06, 2018 5:14 pm
Re: Naturalesque Leaf Cutter Formicarium
Yeah I tried it last night, the humidity went up to the normal levels I have been seeing (around 75-80% stabilizing around 72%) but it shot up a lot quicker like it got up to that 75% in about thirty minutes instead of an hour or two.
Would you think drilling tiny ventilation holes into the chamber itself leading into the holes that once housed the sponges would help? My only concern is if the ants start digging around there and make those holes bigger and find the water I may lose some ants.
Also is my idea of using some kind of adhesive to stick substrate to the chamber a decent idea? Not just for looks but to also hold onto moisture better inside the chamber?
- Acromyrmexbob
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Re: Naturalesque Leaf Cutter Formicarium
My advice......
Firstly dont worry about losing ants in water. You will but it is inconsequential, you wont lose enough to trouble the colony. Secondly I would not stick your substrate. Bad idea. Infact the best way is to give the ants the substrate to use. You can only guess at the levels and suitability of the nest for the ants. You cant predict airflow, pockets of dead air etc. The ants can and when they have access to loose substrate they will use this to restrict and direct airflow, thus greatly enhancing the work you are doing. The best setups are where the ants get to engineer their own space and make it perfect. If you deny them this they will either land lucky because you have got everything right, of be subjected to sub-optimal conditions in which case you risk losing them. The ants are their own best keepers!
Firstly dont worry about losing ants in water. You will but it is inconsequential, you wont lose enough to trouble the colony. Secondly I would not stick your substrate. Bad idea. Infact the best way is to give the ants the substrate to use. You can only guess at the levels and suitability of the nest for the ants. You cant predict airflow, pockets of dead air etc. The ants can and when they have access to loose substrate they will use this to restrict and direct airflow, thus greatly enhancing the work you are doing. The best setups are where the ants get to engineer their own space and make it perfect. If you deny them this they will either land lucky because you have got everything right, of be subjected to sub-optimal conditions in which case you risk losing them. The ants are their own best keepers!
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- Pupa
- Posts: 78
- Joined: Tue Nov 06, 2018 5:14 pm
Re: Naturalesque Leaf Cutter Formicarium
Okay good advice I will just put a small pile of substrate in the main chamber and let the ants do what they want. Really my idea was to stick a little AND add loose substrate using both
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- Pupa
- Posts: 78
- Joined: Tue Nov 06, 2018 5:14 pm
Re: Naturalesque Leaf Cutter Formicarium
So finally got the rest of the stuff needed to create the final design.
Here it is for the most part
The bricks were not a perfect fit so I had to shave a lot off
There was a break, hopefully I can just use an adhesive and fix it.
The holes to the water tank.
The bottom of the formicarium housing unit.
And this is where I will fit the cord and tubing for the aquarium heater and air stone. I will also need to use silicone (that I got yesterday) to fill it in and around edges to keep all the water in. I hope to start testing soon.
Here it is for the most part
The bricks were not a perfect fit so I had to shave a lot off
There was a break, hopefully I can just use an adhesive and fix it.
The holes to the water tank.
The bottom of the formicarium housing unit.
And this is where I will fit the cord and tubing for the aquarium heater and air stone. I will also need to use silicone (that I got yesterday) to fill it in and around edges to keep all the water in. I hope to start testing soon.
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- Pupa
- Posts: 78
- Joined: Tue Nov 06, 2018 5:14 pm
Re: Naturalesque Leaf Cutter Formicarium
I think next time I do this (assuming this first one works well) I will just make a mould and use plaster of Paris for the nest part. Avoid having to grind down the bricks and lining the holes up perfectly etc... I would still need to drill holes for the water vapors to travel into the chamber but that's a given no matter what.
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- Larva
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- Acromyrmexbob
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Re: Naturalesque Leaf Cutter Formicarium
Plaster of paris is excavated by the ants, they can cut it easily. They will use the white crumbs they remove to 'plaster' the walls and front with this material (did you see what I did there!! )
Better use concrete and other material and create the holes before you pour the cement so they are part of the mould. Again I would say there are easier ways to achieve all of this but I am enjoying your exploration of what works and what doesn't. You will emerge from this, whether it works or not, with a far better understanding of controlling environmental parameters in housing for sensitive species such as leaf cutters.
Better use concrete and other material and create the holes before you pour the cement so they are part of the mould. Again I would say there are easier ways to achieve all of this but I am enjoying your exploration of what works and what doesn't. You will emerge from this, whether it works or not, with a far better understanding of controlling environmental parameters in housing for sensitive species such as leaf cutters.
- Acromyrmexbob
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Re: Naturalesque Leaf Cutter Formicarium
Nice setup, colonies looks great in there!!here are two photos, how I tried to create a natural looking mushroom chamber for my Atta cephalotes