My setup

Ideas, techniques, problems and issues associated with keeping Leaf Cutting Ants in Captivity
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Formica123
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My setup

Post by Formica123 » Wed Dec 23, 2015 3:52 pm

New setup that i shall be using for acromyrmex. I have designed it in a way that all the heating is contained within the setup. the fungus chamber on the far right, and it is the smaller chamber inside of the larger one. The larger one acts as an incubator. You fill the bottom with water and underneath place a heatmat or place a heater inside. Then, the fungus grows inside the smaller cube as seen in the picture. This maintains a high humidity and perfect temperature.
This is just a rough sketch i made. Actual design will show the detailed nest.
Image
All will be made out of acrylic, 5mm thick. Boxes are 25x25x25cm and fungus chamber 18x18x18 , maybe even 20x20x20cm.
Pipe is 32mm inner diameter
I keep over 20 species of ant, inc. Acromyrmex Octospinosus
Owner of AntKeepingShop (www.antkeepingshop.weebly.com)

Formica123
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Re: My setup

Post by Formica123 » Wed Dec 23, 2015 5:58 pm

Click on image to englarge.
I need some input. Will this heating me this work? And what do you guys think about space, does it need to be bigger?
I keep over 20 species of ant, inc. Acromyrmex Octospinosus
Owner of AntKeepingShop (www.antkeepingshop.weebly.com)

acro-attaman
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Re: My setup

Post by acro-attaman » Wed Dec 23, 2015 7:11 pm

Nice degsin hope it works well :D

Formica123
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Re: My setup

Post by Formica123 » Thu Dec 24, 2015 12:48 pm

Thanks :)
I'm getting it in January. A few minor changes made, like bigger Cubes etc.
It's really cheap to make surprisingly, coming at just 55 euros ! All made from 5mm thick 100% transparent acrylic. Also means that I don't need to worry about heating/humidity as it's all built in
I keep over 20 species of ant, inc. Acromyrmex Octospinosus
Owner of AntKeepingShop (www.antkeepingshop.weebly.com)

Formica123
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Re: My setup

Post by Formica123 » Thu Dec 24, 2015 2:22 pm

Ok, I'm halfway through the design stage. I made some VERY basic models just to get a feel for the setup. This will be the size of the cubes:
Image
All connected by 10cm of 3mm thick 30mm inner diameter tubing.
Do you guys think this will be enough space for a small to medium acro/atta colony?
As you can see by the picture, they are quite big. I placed the ant store medium alpha ants nest next to it for size comparison
I keep over 20 species of ant, inc. Acromyrmex Octospinosus
Owner of AntKeepingShop (www.antkeepingshop.weebly.com)

Formica123
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Re: My setup

Post by Formica123 » Thu Dec 24, 2015 4:04 pm

This is the tubing that shall be used but better quality. My supplier makes the acrylic himself so all the sizes will be exactly what I want. But this is the size tubing I'll be using:
Image
I keep over 20 species of ant, inc. Acromyrmex Octospinosus
Owner of AntKeepingShop (www.antkeepingshop.weebly.com)

Formica123
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Re: My setup

Post by Formica123 » Fri Jan 15, 2016 8:25 pm

The setups now in the process of being made! Can't wait :D
It's a bit late though. After all - I don't have a colony anymore.. At least it should be here for my next
I keep over 20 species of ant, inc. Acromyrmex Octospinosus
Owner of AntKeepingShop (www.antkeepingshop.weebly.com)

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Leafcutter
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Re: My setup

Post by Leafcutter » Fri Jan 15, 2016 8:55 pm

There's always my Atta colony that needs a new owner... ;)

Atta cephalotes (2019)
Camponotus detritus (2018)
Camponotus maculatus (2018)

Formica123
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Re: My setup

Post by Formica123 » Fri Jan 15, 2016 8:55 pm

Leafcutter wrote:There's always my Atta colony that needs a new owner... ;)
Believe me. If I had the money, I'd snap them up.
I keep over 20 species of ant, inc. Acromyrmex Octospinosus
Owner of AntKeepingShop (www.antkeepingshop.weebly.com)

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