Tubs and Tubes
Definition
A cheap and simple setup in which one or more test tube nests are placed inside an open plastic tub that acts as the outworld, protected by an escape prevention barrier.
Tubs and tubes is one of the easiest ways to house a growing colony. The name says it all: the tubs are flat-bottomed plastic containers, and the tubes are
It solves a problem every beginner meets sooner or later. Once a test tube colony grows, opening the cotton to feed the ants means a dozen workers on your desk. With a tub around the tube, the ants come out into a closed space, and feeding and cleaning become much easier.
When my colonies outgrow a simple test tube, this is often the first upgrade I make. I used an old ice cream container, a layer of sterilized aquarium sand and a band of
In practice
- Wash the tub and anything you put in it, like sand or decorations, before adding the ants.
- Apply the escape prevention oil all around the top of the tub without leaving gaps. The ants will find any you miss.
- When the tube runs dry, simply add a new test tube to the tub and let the colony move by itself.
- Feed in a small dish or with a
liquid feeder placed away from the test tube entrance.
