Problem with atta not growing

[Formica123]

Use this url:
http://s1036.photobucket.com/user/mjdac ... r.jpg.html

[MartinD]

Yep that works. Thanks for your help

[Formica123]

I think that th humidity is the problem, can you put a lid on the setup?
Or maybe use an old aquarium, and make a setup like this, it will work a lot better:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QfYUYGasHKQ

[MartinD]

The tub they are in is sealed tub. They only have tiny nest entrance hole. Will check out the other set up

[Formica123]

The tub they are in is sealed tub. They only have tiny nest entrance hole. Will check out the other set up

Yes, but the rest of the outworld is not, I think perhaps they don't forage because of this.
If you take a tank or aquarium and you fill about 2 inches with water, you can put a container inside it and keep the ants inside this.
Heat the water with a heatmat or aquarium heater and temperature and humidity will be perfect.
Like this:

But the setup can be smaller

[MartinD]

I had water/moat and sinilar set up with my first atta colony. They kept dumping all their waste in the water, so wanted to avoid that, but might be forced to give it a go again then.

[Acromyrmexbob]

Normally Iwould never say this but if you are not seeing condensation somewhere in your setup then its probably too dry. One thing though, if I have a colony thats too dry then the fungus usually dies first and here that has not happened, Is it possible that your humidity is just ok and not low enough to dry it out but not high enough for them to thrive.

[Deansie26]

What is that white sheet covering the hole Martin? If you where to put moist soil on the tile then get a small plastic tub and cover the fungus they will do better. Make a small hole for the ants to enter and exit, there just won't be enough humidity in there at the minute by the looks of it. Do you gauge humidity?

[MartinD]

That white sheet is a piece of paper stopping any infra red rays that might go into nest box from the heat mats hanging at the back. I have only recently added this and it hasn't changed anything yet to my knowledge. I dont have anything to measure humidity unfortunately. I'm going to have to think hard and make some changes to try and increase humidity which seems to be the consensus problem. Thanks for your help

[MartinD]

Yep deansie, will probably put soil on tile and use smaller tub next, see if that helps.