Test Tube Diameter

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Cartil
Posts: 98
Joined: Thu Jul 20, 2017 8:13 am
Location: Halifax, NS

Test Tube Diameter

Post: # 27840Post Cartil
Thu Aug 03, 2017 2:46 pm

Hello everyone!

Last Friday (28Jul), I caught I believe to be a Camponotus Pennsylvanicus queen in Halifax, NS. I installed them on a standard test tube setup, however, I wonder if they have enough space. Looking at how the queen has trouble turning around, I wonder if the test tube will quickly be crowded once I have nanitics (finger crossed she lives long enough for that!). Do you guys think I should switch her to a tube with a larger diameter, or will it be fine?

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Jadeninja9
Posts: 732
Joined: Tue Feb 14, 2017 9:00 pm
Location: SF Bay Area, California

Re: Test Tube Diameter

Post: # 27868Post Jadeninja9
Thu Aug 03, 2017 5:38 pm

You should probably add more space
Keeper of:
1x Camponotus Hyatti
1x Lasius alienus colonies
1x Tetramorium immigrans

Serafine

Re: Test Tube Diameter

Post: # 27879Post Serafine
Thu Aug 03, 2017 6:23 pm

30x200mm test tubes work well with Camponotus.

Cartil
Posts: 98
Joined: Thu Jul 20, 2017 8:13 am
Location: Halifax, NS

Re: Test Tube Diameter

Post: # 27902Post Cartil
Thu Aug 03, 2017 9:10 pm

Alright, I'm gonna order 30x200 mm test tubes then!

However, now that some of them have eggs, how difficult is it going to be to make them move? I heard that it can be stressful for them and slow down their growth. Also, when should I move them? Once they have a few nanitics?

Serafine

Re: Test Tube Diameter

Post: # 27903Post Serafine
Thu Aug 03, 2017 9:14 pm

Wrap something around the larger test tube so it is dark. Put the front of the smaller test tube into the larger test tube. Usually the ants will pack their stuff and move to the darker test tube. Worked perfectly for my 4 worker Campo colony. Then plug the larger tube.

Cartil
Posts: 98
Joined: Thu Jul 20, 2017 8:13 am
Location: Halifax, NS

Re: Test Tube Diameter

Post: # 27907Post Cartil
Thu Aug 03, 2017 9:37 pm

Serafine wrote:
Thu Aug 03, 2017 9:14 pm
Wrap something around the larger test tube so it is dark. Put the front of the smaller test tube into the larger test tube. Usually the ants will pack their stuff and move to the darker test tube. Worked perfectly for my 4 worker Campo colony. Then plug the larger tube.
Ok! :) At the moment, I only have a queen and a bunch of eggs that are one week old or less. Should I wait to have a few nanitics first?

Serafine

Re: Test Tube Diameter

Post: # 27962Post Serafine
Fri Aug 04, 2017 8:08 am

You could put the two tubes together darken them both and wait. Probably she'll move to the larger tube. That way you don't have to disturb her too much.

Cartil
Posts: 98
Joined: Thu Jul 20, 2017 8:13 am
Location: Halifax, NS

Re: Test Tube Diameter

Post: # 27976Post Cartil
Fri Aug 04, 2017 12:11 pm

Ok, I will try that. I wonder if she will move soonish or if she will wait until she has nanitics first...

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idahoantgirl
Posts: 1521
Joined: Sat Sep 12, 2015 11:52 am
Location: Idaho, USA

Re: Test Tube Diameter

Post: # 28019Post idahoantgirl
Fri Aug 04, 2017 11:33 pm

if your talking about moving into a nest, then I would suggest 25-50 workers.
Proverbs 6:6-8

Go to the ant, you sluggard;
consider its ways and be wise!
It has no commander,
no overseer or ruler,
yet it stores its provisions in summer
and gathers its food at harvest.

Keeping Tetramorium immigrans, Tapinoma Sessile

Cartil
Posts: 98
Joined: Thu Jul 20, 2017 8:13 am
Location: Halifax, NS

Re: Test Tube Diameter

Post: # 28117Post Cartil
Sat Aug 05, 2017 6:32 pm

Not a nest yet, no, I was wondering whether I should move her to a bigger test tube or not, considering that she can barely turn around in my current one.

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