Re: My new Leaf Cutting Ant Room
Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2016 10:18 pm
So an update on the new megacomplex I am building in the back garden!
After the amazing year I have had with leaf cutters worldwide I think this new facility is merited and is going to be very good for my business. I have basically had two of my guys working on this project for around a month now, things are going very well.
The heating in the entire greenhouse complex has been redone, new boiler, new manifold system, new radiators throughout, everything replaced and upgraded.
Heres the heating hub....
The large greenhouse, as per the original plan, has now, finally, been raised and a new roof fitted. This was a dodgy time because taking the old roof off at this time of year, with all of the creatures inside, was a risk. But we chose the best few days we could, got mob handed, and went for it. In this picture you can see the old roof shape and the new roof above it.
Also I have fitted huge cannabis lights overhead, so in the winter the timers will come on when it gets dark and stay on to extend the daylight to 12 hours throughout the year.
The new ant room is built, insulated, lined with ply and is now being painted.
and the new mini greenhouse, which will house the Green Weaver ants once it is finished, has also been insulated and lined...
The greenhouses now number 4, there are 4 rooms also and this complex now occupies a larger footprint than my house. However I will shortly have enough capacity for around 500 colonies comprising up to 15 different species of Leaf Cutters and next year I will set about filling it with new and very different stock. I am also replacing all of the glass in the facility with 25mm thick, 7 walled polycarbonate sheeting which is insanely expensive but performs very well. Looking like the new setup will cost in the region of £25 per day to heat, and will require a full time member of staff to run. (full training provided).
Planned completion date will be around 15th December. First 200 colonies will arrive from Trinidad 14th January to add to the 50 larger ones already in stock.
Anyone who would like to visit is more than welcome to do so. More updates as they happen.
After the amazing year I have had with leaf cutters worldwide I think this new facility is merited and is going to be very good for my business. I have basically had two of my guys working on this project for around a month now, things are going very well.
The heating in the entire greenhouse complex has been redone, new boiler, new manifold system, new radiators throughout, everything replaced and upgraded.
Heres the heating hub....
The large greenhouse, as per the original plan, has now, finally, been raised and a new roof fitted. This was a dodgy time because taking the old roof off at this time of year, with all of the creatures inside, was a risk. But we chose the best few days we could, got mob handed, and went for it. In this picture you can see the old roof shape and the new roof above it.
Also I have fitted huge cannabis lights overhead, so in the winter the timers will come on when it gets dark and stay on to extend the daylight to 12 hours throughout the year.
The new ant room is built, insulated, lined with ply and is now being painted.
and the new mini greenhouse, which will house the Green Weaver ants once it is finished, has also been insulated and lined...
The greenhouses now number 4, there are 4 rooms also and this complex now occupies a larger footprint than my house. However I will shortly have enough capacity for around 500 colonies comprising up to 15 different species of Leaf Cutters and next year I will set about filling it with new and very different stock. I am also replacing all of the glass in the facility with 25mm thick, 7 walled polycarbonate sheeting which is insanely expensive but performs very well. Looking like the new setup will cost in the region of £25 per day to heat, and will require a full time member of staff to run. (full training provided).
Planned completion date will be around 15th December. First 200 colonies will arrive from Trinidad 14th January to add to the 50 larger ones already in stock.
Anyone who would like to visit is more than welcome to do so. More updates as they happen.