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Hello, I'm new to the world of ant keeping,

Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2019 1:35 pm
by ShaneTavinder
Hello there i'm new to the world of ant keeping, I'm in the process of doing research and have acquired the 5ft tank I will be using to create my eventual paludarium inspired by the fire ants habitation.. Of course ill be starting my Ants off small and eventually be moving them in. As I keep tropical fish I was wondering if they would be compatible with this being heated water I keep my room temperature lower for eco reasons but I cannot apply jumpers to my fish sadly, and how long should I maintain requirements of my ants for in the tank before actually introducing them?


I will be creating the tank so it has clay ball of gravel substrate for drainage and then using a similar makeup to the soil in the area the ants originate and that fit the requirements of the ants. I have a local flourist and garden, ponds and so on centre close to my location where i can choose local and sutable resorces plants soil types,


Im also wondering if the change from aquarium to paludarium is a huge leap in management. obvioulsy bringing aspects of nature into my home i will have to learn many skills but my initial worry i suppse is if there are any major changes to maintaining the two together. are there any changes to how i should manage my water systems and so on and are there any recommended life hacks for maintaining the wires and tubes for the water.


also im still undicided if i will be having a central island with a moat or go full in and make a pond and waterfall type feature


any recomendations on this.

Re: Hello, I'm new to the world of ant keeping,

Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2019 2:48 pm
by antnest8
Well... if your new to ant keeping you will be faced with problems that normal ant keepers don't have such as, flooding, water contamination and drowning ants. If I were you i would have a population of about 100-500 ants depending on the species before moving in, fire ant should be ok since they are more resistant to drowning and grow fast (plus they are expendable). the water heat should be find and maybe it might help by also having a heating cable/pad effect. As for maintaining conditions before moving ants in, you don't have to do much, no like putting food in there and such, just make sure there are no chemicals introduced that can harm your ants (so most chemicals ;) ) maybe make sure the aquarium part of the setup is stable before adding ants in and keep mold outbreaks away. also you might want some Lilly pad or frog leaf for the ant's safety rafts.

Oh! one more thing, you need a good barrier, like Mikey Busto's you'll need a good barrier, baby powder might not cut it since these are fire ants. you might need flu-on as a barrier. (sadly no tarantella silk).

Re: Hello, I'm new to the world of ant keeping,

Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2019 4:34 pm
by ShaneTavinder
Yea my original plans are to just set up the tank for the fish and plants and let it settle in, while my ant colony silently grows in the corner. I already have a well established tank with Malawi cichlids, snails, shrimp and another with fresh water lobsters and piranha.
I suppose ill keep on learning and apply the knowledge i have of aquariums and wait untill i have the landscape and drop pool and waterfall well established brfore i apply any ants to the mix it may be a big curve at once. i presume the terrariums are fairly simple tools untill i have to knowledge to apply the ants. i should really get the ball rolling with that befor getting any ants. i will make it to the requirements of the ants i will be choosing but as i am learning i feel an island set up will be much easier to maintain

Re: Hello, I'm new to the world of ant keeping,

Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2019 4:42 pm
by ShaneTavinder
Also its Camponotus ligniperdus I would like to keep not fire ants. I wouldn't think water would be too much of a problem I mean its always raining in Europe

Re: Hello, I'm new to the world of ant keeping,

Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2019 5:36 pm
by ShaneTavinder
Camponotus ligniperdus is not actually native to the uk so already I am glad I am double checking. looks like Myrmica rubra (fire ants) will be a better choice or maybe something less aggressive for a first try idk so many bloody ants any recommendations?

Re: Hello, I'm new to the world of ant keeping,

Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2019 10:25 am
by antnest8
the camponotus would do very well in the terrarium. other less aggressive, easy to keep ants in your area are 1. Lasius 2. Formica 3Tapinoma erraticum (Polygenous) 4 Tetramorium caespitum 5 some species of Temnothorax