[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":484},["ShallowReactive",2],{"post-\u002Fhow-to-make-a-test-tube-setup-tutorial-en":3,"related-posts-how-to-make-a-test-tube-setup-tutorial-en":438,"related-categories-how-to-make-a-test-tube-setup-tutorial-en":466},{"id":4,"title":5,"audio":6,"author":7,"authorImageUrl":8,"authorUrl":9,"body":10,"categorySlug":377,"categoryText":378,"dateModified":379,"datePublished":380,"description":381,"extension":382,"faqs":383,"howToDescription":381,"howToImage":399,"howToSteps":400,"howToSupply":416,"howToTitle":5,"howToTools":423,"howToTotalTime":428,"image":399,"language":429,"meta":430,"navigation":431,"path":432,"productBrand":6,"productDescription":6,"productImage":6,"productName":6,"reviewDescription":6,"reviewRating":6,"seo":433,"sitemap":434,"stem":435,"youtubeVideoId":436,"__hash__":437},"blog\u002Fhow-to-make-a-test-tube-setup-tutorial.md","How To Make a Test Tube Setup - Ant Keeping Basics",null,"Bruma","\u002Fimages\u002Fauthors\u002Fbruma.jpg","https:\u002F\u002Fbrumaombra.com",{"type":11,"value":12,"toc":362},"minimark",[13,20,27,30,35,41,48,55,61,67,73,87,91,97,103,112,118,124,126,130,135,142,148,152,158,164,174,181,187,199,203,209,215,221,227,231,237,243,249,253,260,266,271,273,277,283,293,298,304,314,332,334,339,351],[14,15,16],"p",{},[17,18,19],"strong",{},"Hi guys! I hope you’re doing well!",[14,21,22,23,26],{},"Today I want to show you ",[17,24,25],{},"how to prepare a test tube setup for your queen ants",", the first step in every ant-keeping journey!",[28,29],"hr",{},[31,32,34],"h2",{"id":33},"what-is-a-test-tube-setup","What is a Test Tube Setup?",[14,36,37,40],{},[17,38,39],{},"The test tube setup is probably the easiest and most effective way to create a comfortable space for a newly mated queen",". This setup creates an environment very similar to the one they experience in nature.",[14,42,43],{},[44,45],"img",{"alt":46,"src":47},"Pheidole pallidula colony inside a test tube","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.brumaants.com\u002Fimages\u002Fpheidole_pallidula_colony_inside_test_tube.jpeg",[14,49,50,51,54],{},"In the wild, after mating with a male, the queen starts searching for a small, quiet space, probably in the soil, where she can start to lay eggs. ",[17,52,53],{},"This tiny space is called the “claustral chamber”",".",[14,56,57,60],{},[17,58,59],{},"With the test tube setup, we are going to recreate the same conditions as a claustral chamber",", with the right temperature and humidity.",[14,62,63,66],{},[17,64,65],{},"This particular setup will also give you the chance to see inside the chamber",", since it is made of glass or plastic, and it will also hold a water reservoir.",[14,68,69],{},[44,70],{"alt":71,"src":72},"Lasius emarginatus inside test tube","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.brumaants.com\u002Fimages\u002Flasius_emarginatus_inside_test_tube.jpeg",[14,74,75,76,83,84],{},"If you are an absolute beginner in the magical world of ant keeping, I suggest checking out ",[17,77,78],{},[79,80,82],"nuxt-link-locale",{"to":81},"\u002F5-most-common-mistakes-beginners-make-in-ant-keeping","this other guide!",". ",[17,85,86],{},"In this guide, I list 5 of the most common mistakes that beginner ant keepers make when they first start keeping ants as pets!",[31,88,90],{"id":89},"what-you-need","What You Need",[14,92,93,94,54],{},"To prepare this setup, ",[17,95,96],{},"you will need a test tube, cotton wool, and a long stick of some kind",[14,98,99],{},[44,100],{"alt":101,"src":102},"Test tube setup requirements","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.brumaants.com\u002Fimages\u002Ftest_tube_setup_tutorial_requirements.png",[14,104,105,108,109,54],{},[17,106,107],{},"Test tubes come in a variety of sizes",". The main factor for deciding which size is right for you is the size of the queen you want to place inside. ",[17,110,111],{},"For most ant species, a standard-size test tube will do the trick",[14,113,114],{},[44,115],{"alt":116,"src":117},"Large test tube","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.brumaants.com\u002Fimages\u002Ftest_tube_setup_tutorial_large_test_tube.png",[14,119,120,121,54],{},"Don’t worry if you don’t have the exact recommended size for your species; ",[17,122,123],{},"the queen is very adaptable and will surely lay eggs even in a slightly smaller or larger chamber",[28,125],{},[31,127,129],{"id":128},"preparing-the-test-tube","Preparing The Test Tube",[131,132,134],"h3",{"id":133},"filling-the-test-tube","Filling The Test Tube",[14,136,137,138,141],{},"When you have your test tube, ",[17,139,140],{},"the first thing you need to do is fill it about halfway with clean, cold water",". You can do this directly from a bottle, from the faucet, or by using a pipette, just like I am doing.",[14,143,144],{},[44,145],{"alt":146,"src":147},"Filling the test tube with water","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.brumaants.com\u002Fimages\u002Ftest_tube_setup_tutorial_water.png",[131,149,151],{"id":150},"inserting-the-cotton","Inserting The Cotton",[14,153,154,157],{},[17,155,156],{},"Once you have the water in the test tube, you can insert a small piece of cotton",". To push the cotton ball all the way to the water, you can use a wooden skewer or a plastic tool, like the one I am using.",[14,159,160],{},[44,161],{"alt":162,"src":163},"Inserting the cotton ball into the test tube","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.brumaants.com\u002Fimages\u002Ftest_tube_setup_tutorial_cotton_ball.png",[14,165,166,169,170,173],{},[17,167,168],{},"This way, the cotton will prevent the water from drowning your queen",", while supplying the chamber with the right amount of moisture. ",[17,171,172],{},"The queen will also be able to drink from the cotton without any problem",", eliminating the need for an external water source.",[14,175,176,177,180],{},"One thing I’ve learned from experience is that ",[17,178,179],{},"if you place the cotton ball into the test tube slowly, you will probably end up with some air bubbles between the water and the cotton",". ",[14,182,183,186],{},[17,184,185],{},"To avoid this issue, simply insert the cotton quickly",", preventing the bubbles from forming.",[14,188,189,190,83,196],{},"If you like this simple but effective nest type, I suggest checking out ",[17,191,192],{},[79,193,195],{"to":194},"\u002Fwakooshi-saturn-nest-review","this product review!",[17,197,198],{},"This is an extremely cool ant nest based on the most trusted ant-keeping setup of all time: the test tube setup!",[131,200,202],{"id":201},"closing-the-test-tube","Closing The Test Tube",[14,204,205,206,54],{},"Once the test tube setup is complete, ",[17,207,208],{},"gently place your queen in the tube and seal it with another ball of cotton",[14,210,211],{},[44,212],{"alt":213,"src":214},"Closed test tube setup","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.brumaants.com\u002Fimages\u002Ftest_tube_setup_tutorial_closed_ready.png",[14,216,217,218],{},"Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly before touching the water or cotton. ",[17,219,220],{},"We don’t want bacteria or mold to start infesting the nest!",[14,222,223,224],{},"If you are wondering how the ants are going to breathe, don't worry, ",[17,225,226],{},"there will be sufficient airflow through the cotton for the ants to survive for a long time!",[131,228,230],{"id":229},"recycling-the-test-tube","Recycling The Test Tube",[14,232,233,236],{},[17,234,235],{},"In the event you mess up or need to retrieve the cotton plug inside the test tube, you can take it out by using a pair of long tweezers",", the kind commonly used in fish tank setups.",[14,238,239,242],{},[17,240,241],{},"Simply insert it into the test tube and pull it out",", extracting the cotton ball.",[14,244,245],{},[44,246],{"alt":247,"src":248},"Removing the cotton ball from the test tube","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.brumaants.com\u002Fimages\u002Ftest_tube_setup_tutorial_removing_the_cotton_ball.png",[131,250,252],{"id":251},"covering-the-test-tube","Covering The Test Tube",[14,254,255,256,259],{},"Now that the queen is comfortable and safe, ",[17,257,258],{},"you can make the test tube feel even more like an actual claustral chamber by wrapping it with some type of dark paper",". I like to use tinfoil, which does the job quickly!",[14,261,262],{},[44,263],{"alt":264,"src":265},"Test tube setup with tinfoil","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.brumaants.com\u002Fimages\u002Ftest_tube_setup_tutorial_with_tinfoil.png",[14,267,268],{},[17,269,270],{},"Here it is! It looks terrific in grey!",[28,272],{},[31,274,276],{"id":275},"making-a-test-tube-holder","Making a Test Tube Holder",[14,278,279,280],{},"One big problem with having your queen or founding colony inside a test tube setup is that ",[17,281,282],{},"it's extremely difficult to keep it still on a flat surface!",[14,284,285,286,289,290],{},"This might seem like a minor issue, but trust me: ",[17,287,288],{},"when you start having dozens of test tubes all over your room, this can quickly become a real nightmare!"," You could lose an entire colony just because you accidentally ",[17,291,292],{},"touched the test tube with your elbow!",[14,294,295],{},[17,296,297],{},"If you want, you can solve this problem by creating a test tube holder made of cardboard!",[14,299,300],{},[44,301],{"alt":302,"src":303},"Test tube holder","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.brumaants.com\u002Fimages\u002Ftest_tube_setup_tutorial_holder.png",[14,305,306,307,313],{},"In ",[17,308,309],{},[79,310,312],{"to":311},"\u002Fhow-to-make-a-test-tube-holder","this other article",", I created a dedicated step-by-step tutorial on how to make this super cool type of test tube holder!",[14,315,316,317,320,321,324,325,328,329],{},"This holder is extremely easy to build and ",[17,318,319],{},"can make your ant-keeping journey ten times easier!"," With this system, you can also better organize your ant colonies, dividing them by ",[17,322,323],{},"species",", ",[17,326,327],{},"number of workers",", or ",[17,330,331],{},"climate requirements!",[28,333],{},[14,335,336],{},[17,337,338],{},"I hope you have found this guide helpful!",[14,340,341],{},[342,343,347],"a",{"href":344,"rel":345},"https:\u002F\u002Fbrumaants.com\u002Fantcube-starter-set-combi-review",[346],"nofollow",[44,348],{"alt":349,"src":350},"Antstore antcube arena combi","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.brumaants.com\u002Fimages\u002Fantstore_antcube_arena_combi.jpeg",[14,352,353,354,83,359],{},"If you’re planning to buy some ant nests, I suggest checking out ",[17,355,356],{},[79,357,195],{"to":358},"\u002Fantcube-starter-set-combi-review",[17,360,361],{},"It’s a really cool ant nest made by Antstore, a great ant-keeping company!",{"title":363,"searchDepth":364,"depth":364,"links":365},"",2,[366,367,368,376],{"id":33,"depth":364,"text":34},{"id":89,"depth":364,"text":90},{"id":128,"depth":364,"text":129,"children":369},[370,372,373,374,375],{"id":133,"depth":371,"text":134},3,{"id":150,"depth":371,"text":151},{"id":201,"depth":371,"text":202},{"id":229,"depth":371,"text":230},{"id":251,"depth":371,"text":252},{"id":275,"depth":364,"text":276},"ant-keeping-basics","Ant Keeping Basics","2025-08-04T00:00:00Z","2022-05-09T00:00:00Z","In this tutorial you will learn how to make a test tube setup, the best way to create the optimal environment for a newly mated queen ant!","md",[384,387,390,393,396],{"question":385,"answer":386},"What materials do I need for a test tube setup?","You will need a test tube, cotton wool, and a long stick to help with inserting the cotton.",{"question":388,"answer":389},"How do I fill the test tube correctly?","Fill the test tube about halfway with clean, cold water, and then insert a small piece of cotton using a tool to push it to the water.",{"question":391,"answer":392},"Is it okay to use different sizes of test tubes?","Yes, most ant species can adapt to slightly smaller or larger chambers; a standard-size test tube is usually sufficient.",{"question":394,"answer":395},"How can I prevent water from drowning the queen?","The cotton ball will act as a barrier, allowing moisture while preventing drowning; ensure it's positioned properly within the test tube.",{"question":397,"answer":398},"What can I do to keep the test tube stable?","You can create a test tube holder out of cardboard to keep it stable and organized, preventing accidental tipping.","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.brumaants.com\u002Fimages\u002Fbruma_ants_thumbnail_test_tube_setup_tutorial_new.png",[401,404,407,410,413],{"name":402,"text":403,"image":147},"Fill the test tube with water","Fill the test tube about halfway with clean, cold water using a bottle, faucet, or pipette.",{"name":405,"text":406,"image":163},"Insert the cotton ball","Place a small piece of cotton into the test tube and push it to the water using a wooden skewer or plastic tool.",{"name":408,"text":409,"image":214},"Place the queen ant","Gently place the queen ant into the test tube and seal the open end with another cotton ball.",{"name":411,"text":412,"image":265},"Cover the test tube","Wrap the test tube with tinfoil or dark paper to simulate a natural claustral chamber.",{"name":414,"text":415,"image":303},"Test the setup","Ensure the test tube is stable and provides sufficient airflow through the cotton for the queen ant.",[417,419,421],{"name":418},"Test tube",{"name":420},"Cotton wool",{"name":422},"Clean, cold water",[424,426],{"name":425},"Wooden skewer or plastic tool",{"name":427},"Tinfoil or dark paper (optional)","PT15M","en",{},true,"\u002Fhow-to-make-a-test-tube-setup-tutorial",{"title":5,"description":381},{"loc":432},"how-to-make-a-test-tube-setup-tutorial","ufRoCRF2O_o","1uKIg2g4XxR8M_OJjBorRhCR4fvn4MZfGU92zzzoFFg",[439,446,453,459],{"id":440,"title":441,"description":442,"image":443,"categoryText":444,"path":445},"blog\u002Fthe-manica-rubida-challenge-the-ant-pod.md","The Manica Rubida Challenge - The Ant Pod","Listen to the best ant keeping podcast on the Internet: The Ant Pod! In this episode, the hosts talk about the Manica rubida challenge!","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.brumaants.com\u002Fimages\u002Fthe_ant_pod_27_manica_rubida_challenge.jpg","Podcasts","\u002Fthe-manica-rubida-challenge-the-ant-pod",{"id":447,"title":448,"description":449,"image":450,"categoryText":451,"path":452},"blog\u002Festhetic-ants-ytong-nest-review.md","Esthetic Ants Ytong Nest Review","Today I'm going to make a little review of the new Ytong nest made by Esthetic Ants! In this guide, you will find everything you need to know!","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.brumaants.com\u002Fimages\u002Fbruma_ants_thumbnail_esthetic_ants_ytong_nest_review_2.png","Product Reviews","\u002Festhetic-ants-ytong-nest-review",{"id":454,"title":455,"description":456,"image":457,"categoryText":451,"path":458},"blog\u002Festhetic-ants-outworld-review.md","Esthetic Ants Outworld Review","Today I'm going to make a little review of an outworld made by Esthetic Ants! In this guide, you will find everything you need to know!","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.brumaants.com\u002Fimages\u002Fbruma_ants_thumbnail_esthetic_ants_outworld_review.png","\u002Festhetic-ants-outworld-review",{"id":460,"title":461,"description":462,"image":463,"categoryText":464,"path":465},"blog\u002Fhow-to-make-a-tube-spiral-for-your-ants.md","How To Make a Tube Spiral For Your Ants","In this tutorial, you will learn how to make a tube spiral, a very cool and unusual way to connect an ant nest to an outworld!","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.brumaants.com\u002Fimages\u002Fbruma_ants_thumbnail_tube_spiral_tutorial.png","Tutorials & D.I.Y.","\u002Fhow-to-make-a-tube-spiral-for-your-ants",[467,471,476,481],{"name":444,"slug":468,"count":469,"image":470},"podcasts",24,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.brumaants.com\u002Fimages\u002Fthe_antpod_antcon_review_46.jpg",{"name":472,"slug":473,"count":474,"image":475},"Care Guides","care-guides",7,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.brumaants.com\u002Fimages\u002Fbruma_ants_thumbnail_crematogaster_scutellaris_care_guide.png",{"name":477,"slug":478,"count":479,"image":480},"Various","various",5,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.brumaants.com\u002Fimages\u002Fbruma_ants_thumbnail_mind-blowing_ant_facts.png",{"name":464,"slug":482,"count":474,"image":483},"tutorials","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.brumaants.com\u002Fimages\u002Fbruma_ants_thumbnail_jat_terrarium.png",1790442919439]