Ants

[Mark Gray]

OMB I opened my 32 gallon trash can that I keep my ATO water in I saw a cluster of ants floating on the surface. Well it's sort of dark where the container is at, I got a paper towel and scooped them out. dumb move they where all still alive, just in my water taking a swim I guess

 

[Mark Gray]

OMB I opened my 32 gallon trash can that I keep my ATO water in I saw a cluster of ants floating on the surface. Well it's sort of dark where the container is at, I got a paper towel and scooped them out. dumb move they where all still alive, just in my water taking a swim I guess

 

[Fudsey]

Fire ants? They will make themselves a raft out of each other and just float around

 

[Crabs McJones]

Is it a sealed container? How'd they get in?

 

[Mark Gray]

Fire ants? They will make themselves a raft out of each other and just float around

yep thats what they ate doing not 100% what i am going to do about it. Time to search the yards i guess

 

[Mark Gray]

Is it a sealed container? How'd they get in?

no it's just a trash can with RODI water in it.

 

[Crabs McJones]

no it's just a trash can with RODI water in it.

Might have to invest in a cover for it lol

 

[Mark Gray]

Might have to invest in a cover for it lol

yeah I guess it's time to buy the 100 gallon container, will need it when it hopefully in February when the new tank arrives

 

[Fudsey]

If there are any left in there, use a water jug with a handle to remove them with some water. That way they will stay floating. I hated fire ants when I lived in NC

 

[Mark Gray]

If there are any left in there, use a water jug with a handle to remove them with some water. That way they will stay floating. I hated fire ants when I lived in NC

Me to, good idea I will try and find
there mound tomorrow, I guess tonight I leave the rest swim.

 

[DLHDesign]

How... odd.

Is there anything in or around the container that would attract them? I wouldn't think water alone would do it, but... I guess?
Do you have any movement in the tank? I can't imagine needing it for anything tank-related, but perhaps a small powerhead would move the water enough to keep the ants out?

 

[andyg1960]

No uncles?

 

[Mark Gray]

How... odd.

Is there anything in or around the container that would attract them? I wouldn't think water alone would do it, but... I guess?
Do you have any movement in the tank? I can't imagine needing it for anything tank-related, but perhaps a small powerhead would move the water enough to keep the ants out?

No nothing I agree very strange and it was not just a few it was allot it's hard to tell in my picture it is dark out there. I guess it's winter and they needed water

 

[meir]

Do to the description you gave, tgat the ants were clustered on the water surface, I’m inclined to say tropical fire ants. They are known to do this when moving the colony’s location

 

[Mark Gray]

I thought the picture posted the may be tropical fire ants

 

[Benga]

That is pretty interesting. I probably would have held off and observed them to see if they were just passing by. Maybe you had bad weather and they took refuge in there temporarily. I can't imagine them staying there long as it's saltwater and there isn't food there.

 

[Mark Gray]

That is pretty interesting. I probably would have held off and observed them to see if they were just passing by. Maybe you had bad weather and they took refuge in there temporarily. I can't imagine them staying there long as it's saltwater and there isn't food there.

No it just RODI water for my ATO, and yes there was bad weather I was not here for it a little snow but when I scooped them out they are very much alive and still in the stinging stage lol, Guess I interrupted them

 

[HB AL]

Feed them to your fish, they will feast on em

 

[Mark Gray]

Feed them to your fish, they will feast on em

I thought about that but fire ants pack a good punch

 

[ThunderGoose]

Ants will be attracted to water if conditions are unfavorable - dry or cold. I'm not sure how far fire ants can travel but some species can travel a surprisingly long distance. I've always had good luck with Terro brand ant bait/poison.

Good luck.