Leaf Cutting Ant Forum

Haha! That's getting old.....

Getting,, got.

Andyj wrote:Getting,, got.

Have just collected a month of temperature/humidity data on our new colony.



As you can see, average humidity is not particularly high, but checking the nest material from the top of the tank, it is nicely moist, not too dry at all. I've stopped putting water into the nest area now, as the bottom of the nest chamber has condensation behind the glass and the colony are throwing out a lot of wet fungus and other material into their water, I hope they stop this soon!

Average temperature is OK too at around 27 degrees C. These data loggers are great for keeping a check on things.

Thats some really good stats, Jackie. Where are you measuring the humidity? And the temperature?
The high temperature setting would be a little too late I think. I would set that at 29C The average temperature may be better a little lower than that. 27 is at the top end of whats ideal. 25C for the average would be better. But again it depends on where specifically you are measuring this.

Are you using Lascar data logging Jackie, if so which model ?

Hi Andy, yes, a Lascar EL-USB-2-LCD. I am measuring these parameters generally, so the data logger sits behind the nest tower. I also have an ambient thermometer which is always at around 27-28 degrees C. You have to bear in mind though that this unit is big, 3m length, 2.8m height and 0.6m depth, so not an enclosed space. I think the environmental conditions are fine, no problems with fungus or activity of colony. Also, we now have night & day settings, so the colony are without light for 10 hours. Quite a bit of heat is generated from the strip lights during the day, when the lights are on for 14 hours.

Thanks Jackie, i have a cheaper one coming, different make but i want something which has probes. Just be interesting to see what does happen although something on my scale probably won't be worth doing. But i do love a new toy to play with.

I think it's always worth it, no matter what type of set up you have. I used to use the same data logger with our Acro set up here, it's a good way of keeping a general check on things.

What's your opinion on mites in the nest substrate? Saw quite a lot today, not seen before today. We had mites in our Acro colony tanks....should I be concerned? The colony don't seem to be.