Buying my first colony soon hopefully, need help.

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WizTraits
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Joined: Tue Jan 15, 2019 1:24 am
Location: Bryan Tx

Buying my first colony soon hopefully, need help.

Post: # 55258Post WizTraits
Tue Jan 15, 2019 1:31 am

Hi, I am buying my first colony staring with Dorymyrmex Sp. I really want this to work out but I'm currently in college and as much as id like to buy a starter kit from AntsCanada I can't afford it. I've been looking for cheaper alternatives but I don't trust myself %100 to choose what's right. My budget would max be 60ish dollars but if there's no way for me to succeed with that amount I could try to save more.

WizTraits
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Joined: Tue Jan 15, 2019 1:24 am
Location: Bryan Tx

Re: Buying my first colony soon hopefully, need help.

Post: # 55259Post WizTraits
Tue Jan 15, 2019 2:08 am

I was thinking a 10-gallon fish tank (I found one for $24), with a tube leading from the bottom of the tank through mesh I would use at the top of the tank leading to a cheaper alternative for a hybrid nest. I'm looking for help with finding these cheaper alternatives, help with all the soils and filling for the tank id need (Preferring fake plants) and listing all the things I'm forgetting.

JoeHostile1
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Re: Buying my first colony soon hopefully, need help.

Post: # 55271Post JoeHostile1
Tue Jan 15, 2019 9:23 am

You could try checking YouTube. I believe there are tons of do it yourself tutorials. Also you could try tarheelants.com. They’re pretty expensive, but you might find something you’re looking for.
Keeping:
Tetramorium immigrans * Lasius Neoniger * Lasius Claviger * Messor Aciculatus * Myrmica Rubra * Camponotus Novaeboracensis * Camponotus Turkastanus * Pheidole Pallidula

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSfFtn6RegZ3F1NdS1g08NA

WizTraits
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Joined: Tue Jan 15, 2019 1:24 am
Location: Bryan Tx

Re: Buying my first colony soon hopefully, need help.

Post: # 55274Post WizTraits
Tue Jan 15, 2019 10:38 am

I've been up all night looking stuff up haha :roll: and I came across some "do it yourself" options like cement and stuff. The only thing with that is the fact id have to make a whole new one after a while to due to the substance molding or something. I think this is a good option for me, (https://www.etsy.com/listing/663603731/natural-ant-farm-formicarium-modular-kit?plkey=c1276d86e2b8024d46f55affa90a97e27db4e196%3A663603731&frs=1) and after a while if they need more room I could move them into a AntsCanada Outworld.

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antnest8
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Re: Buying my first colony soon hopefully, need help.

Post: # 55287Post antnest8
Tue Jan 15, 2019 3:57 pm

the ant's Canada hybrid nests are under $60 and you can just use tubaware for the outworld, or just thinking about it you could just use all tubaware. for one of my colonies I use a Red Vine container that I ate all the red vine.
Some of My Informative Sheets
https://forum.AntsCanada.com/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=19099
Includes :
  • Ant Care Sheets
    Queen Hunting
    How To Identify Ants
Goal is to become #2 poster on the forum

WizTraits
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Joined: Tue Jan 15, 2019 1:24 am
Location: Bryan Tx

Re: Buying my first colony soon hopefully, need help.

Post: # 55292Post WizTraits
Tue Jan 15, 2019 8:44 pm

antnest8 wrote:
Tue Jan 15, 2019 3:57 pm
the ant's Canada hybrid nests are under $60 and you can just use tubaware for the outworld, or just thinking about it you could just use all tubaware. for one of my colonies I use a Red Vine container that I ate all the red vine [With using a tubaware I would just be worried about ventilation and humidity though, I want to make sure it's all perfect.]

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antnest8
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Re: Buying my first colony soon hopefully, need help.

Post: # 55299Post antnest8
Wed Jan 16, 2019 8:51 am

with an ant barrier you can have the Tuberware open lid or you can just but hole in the lid large enough for cotton ball to fit in and plug those. The second solution could have less ventilation though.
Some of My Informative Sheets
https://forum.AntsCanada.com/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=19099
Includes :
  • Ant Care Sheets
    Queen Hunting
    How To Identify Ants
Goal is to become #2 poster on the forum

WizTraits
Posts: 10
Joined: Tue Jan 15, 2019 1:24 am
Location: Bryan Tx

Re: Buying my first colony soon hopefully, need help.

Post: # 55305Post WizTraits
Wed Jan 16, 2019 12:04 pm

Okay, so what I've decided is going the completely homemade way to just save up for a super nice setup when my ants need it. I think I'm going to buy a 14 slot pill sorter thing that you see people use in movies. It's two rows of 7 spaces and each of the spaces opens individually so 14 lids. I was thinking I could put cotton on the far left top and bottom spaces for their water then drill holes on the inner walls of the casing to have them be able to walk through. Then like yall were saying use a tubbaware for the Outworld. One thing I was wondering was what dirt I should use to put into the pill case for a good hydration gradient.

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antnest8
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Re: Buying my first colony soon hopefully, need help.

Post: # 55339Post antnest8
Thu Jan 17, 2019 2:59 pm

so I've heard this method being used with bead sorters and such but this is basically the same idea. so you can put cotton in one of the slots and drill tiny holes that ants can't fit in so the hydration can spread out, you also can use two hydration chambers and alternate them so you reduce the risk of mold outbreaks.
Some of My Informative Sheets
https://forum.AntsCanada.com/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=19099
Includes :
  • Ant Care Sheets
    Queen Hunting
    How To Identify Ants
Goal is to become #2 poster on the forum

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