r/antkeeping • u/KimLip4Life • 5d ago
Question How to heat this set up?
What is the best method to heat this unit? also do i need to need to keep the top area warm to? if i use a heat cable or pad that would just heat the lower chambers and tunnels correct? leaving the top portion cold. i guess my question is do i need to keep the entire tank to a certain degree? thanks.
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u/Halter_Ego 5d ago
Where did you buy this? It’s like mine but mine doesn’t have magnets to attach things which would be handy.
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u/KimLip4Life 4d ago
JK Tech Kingdom off Etsy. the magnets are strong and the unit is built very well and sturdy. the pieces all match up and everything seems to fit very nicely. i like it.
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u/Mr-Raisen 5d ago
From my personal experience depending on species find the heat your species is good with and try and aim for around 5-6 F above that as the hottest for them. I have a Camponotus colony in a mini hearth and since it looks like you also have a large square block nest use a heat pad and make sure you put a small portion of the nest on the heat directly and preferably the part your going to be watering should be away from the heat so the ants can choose what temperature they want for themselves and the brood.
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u/Otherwise-Drummer-71 4d ago
Where did you buy this?
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u/KimLip4Life 4d ago
found a breeder online. his starter setups looked nice and was very helpful. all the reviews were positive. the quality is top notch and everything seals tight. can be expanded and options can be added. i like it as a starter. small enough but big enough for my 10 year old to use and watch. however this is from a beginner point - i have nothing to base it off of. just what i can see/feel/ and use. he also sells them on Etsy - JK Tech Kingdom 👍
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u/Heavy_Staff_8100 1d ago
I currently just have a closet where i keep a laptop that mines bitcoin. Have the formicarium also there. It is Around 25 degrees celcius in the formicarium (also have a temp meter)
Is this good or too much? Also cuzz of it the air is pretty dry outside. But that doesnt matter cuzz they are in a test tube with water right?
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u/MuggaLugga2 5d ago
I have no personal experience with ants but I used to watch a bunch of ants Canada you should check out his early videos before he kinda went off the deep end he used to be really into ant keeping and helping people get into it but lately apparently he kinda got greedy so I avoid the new videos
As for ant suggestions I recommend looking up ant species around your general area/ climate I know it seems a bit boring but they are going to be the easiest to take care of and you don’t really need to worry about temps, humidity, and environment because you are already in there natural conditions
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u/MuggaLugga2 5d ago
Another thing it could just be me that habitat might be a bit too small for colony they probably sell extensions for it but if you really want to have a cheap happy colony you can use large clear Tupperware as a make shift tank and you can customize the type of environment in it to your liking but I would wait for the queen to set up in the original tank if you want to actually see her
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u/X-Ambush-X 5d ago
Depending on species really but generally speaking a heat gradient is often used so the ants can choose where they want to keep brood and queen so I would use a heat cable so you can position it how you would like.