Leaf Cutting Ant Forum

Ricc, yes, there will be a Leaf Cutting Ant colony on display.

Ace I can't wait see the set up its looking good so far how long till it's all done Andrew ???

Mid March. Will you come up and see it when its done? We could organise a forum day out.

Yeah be great to come up and see it

Sorry everyone, I have been away to Marwell Zoo and other places working with Atta setups this week. So havent managed to update any days for you but I will get pictures tomorrow and put them here because the guys were working there this week.

It's okay can't wait see it tho I've put in Dairy March lol so am free all in March lol

So while I was away, one of the guys added whats called the scratch coat to the mesh and polythene. This is concrete which is spread on the surface and then scratched all over so when we apply the final layer it will stick.

Some pictures from last week.

Inside of displays have been filled and prepped for painting.



frames fitted for glass which is coming Monday (tomorrow)


In the Croc display we have built a step which will allow the 8ft apquarium to slide in to the bottom portion forming the land area at the top.




The Aztec wall has had all of the undercoat of concrete ready for this weeks theming work and the butress root tree has polythene stapled ready for the mesh.





The front of the stage is also scratch coated, this will be themed with Aztec rock also..



The rear of the Zoo style exhibits is painted ready for the electrics to be fitted and the doors to each individual display are fitted.






Now some of the units are coloured. We do not use paint for this. Paint is not a suitable covering for enclosures. We always use fibreglass, the same stuff Sean uses for all the dead queens he gets!

The Big Snake pen is Green


The Croc pen is grey and Chameleon enclosure is blue,


Treefrog enclosure is light green


and the others are black. Glass arrives tomorrow and we plan to fit it when it arrives.

I will be building all of the vivariums myself over this week. Busy days ahead!

Finally the tank and pond tropical fish exhibit is scratch coated

Fantastic Andrew, really taking shape, can't wait to take the kids. Did I read that right is there going to be a crocodile? Can I ask why fiberglass is better than paint, is it harder wearing? How is fibre glass applied, is it in paint form?

oday was glass day!!
I was basically cutting and building the vivariums and the Leaf Cutting Ant nest and feeding table.

So set up a temporary cutting table


All of the glass was cut to size in 6mm and laminated glass for the front panel.




First tank built was the Leaf Cutting Ant nest tank...

with its central heating weir and start of the top moat.

Next I built the feeding tank with its central table and surrounding moat.


then starting on three vivariums. First to glue up the glass...


then assemble the panels








More tomorrow.