Reevey Acromyrmex Aquarium setup

[reevey]

morning update sean I only have this tub. lid is on with about 2cm gap I havent added anything pipe or more tubs just left them in that main tub.
temp at fungus is in small tub is 22.7 humidity is high again says 99%. the main tub is 24 and humidity is 97% so seems humidity is the problem which is what Andrew said.
how do I get the humidity down with out losing the temp please. oh they have not cut anything over night.
thanks

[reevey]

maybe I need to do away with the pipe in the tank and do like RichardP one is and have it open.
what do you all think ?

[Acromyrmexbob]

I can organise new fungus for you. Quickest would be to give me a phone. 07876825726. Andrew

[RichardP]

From my own experience and seeing the set up they use at The University of Gloucestershire under the auspices of Prof. Adam Hart where they keep about 6 or 7 colonies I would definitely say leave the nests open to the aquarium atmosphere.

When I visited Adam he was returning from a break and all the colonies had been left for 7 days without care and were all fine. His approach is even simpler than mine. He puts the ants into an upturned lab beaker (with a spout that facilitates access). The beaker is about half a litre in volume maybe. And the beaker stands on a tile on a platform just above the water level. The tanks are covered loosely with a plastic lid.

[reevey]

hi any ideas how I can get the humidity down but keep the temp

[Deansie26]

hi any ideas how I can get the humidity down but keep the temp

Steve your colony is small at the minute so why not just do a simple island, tub on top with some slightly moist soil inside and have the lid ajar an inch for the ants to get in and out and then just feed them directly on the lid. Use the humidity from the aquarium, you wont need to control as the humidity will be correct, just make sure the temperature is right. Do this for a month or two and get them going and this gives you time to tweek your main set up.

Look at the bottom of this page http://www.leafcuttingants.com/www.leaf ... ?f=13&t=24
very simple to do.

[Acromyrmexbob]

I completely agree with this advice.

hi any ideas how I can get the humidity down but keep the temp

Steve your colony is small at the minute so why not just do a simple island, tub on top with some slightly moist soil inside and have the lid ajar an inch for the ants to get in and out and then just feed them directly on the lid. Use the humidity from the aquarium, you wont need to control it the humidity as it will be correct, just make sure the temperature is right. Do this for a month or two and get them going and this gives you time to tweek your main set up.

Look at the bottom of this page http://www.leafcuttingants.com/www.leaf ... ?f=13&t=24
very simple to do.

[reevey]

ok thanks for reply's right so if I use the main tub I have in the tank at the minute and just open the lid about 2cm for the ants to get out and feed. then keep the pipe that was in the side of the tub blocked with cotton wool. so they have to go out the top.
Should I leave them in the little tub they are in that is inside the main tub
sorry for all the questions steve

[Deansie26]

Hi Steve, take out the small tub, leave a good inch opening and even place a small twig leading to from the soil up to the lid. Block the pipe so they can't enter it at all. Have the soil moist and even put a very small pile of dry soil so they can change it as they wish. The humidity will enter via the gap, Your having sticky start but they should kick on buddy.

[reevey]

hi guys update on whats going on have done as Deansie26 suggested and Andrews fungus has arrived and I have added it to the tub so they are going to be busy putting the fungus back together i have put some privet on the tub lid and we will see what happens. I have noe got a chair near them now so I can watch whats going on pictures not very good