ANTS LIVING IN MY FILTER!!!!

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SemperFish

Gambusia
MFK Member
Dec 25, 2007
743
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Hubert, NC
Anyone ever have something like this happen? I went to disconnect my Rena cannister filter this morning and there were quite a few ants on it. Its not unusual right now because we always have ants looking for moisture out here in the desert. Plus Id seen a few around the top of the tank recently too. Well when I disconnected the part that the hoses connect to hundreds of ants poured out from under it. I took some pictures that I'll post soon. I set it in the tub and blasted them and more came out. At first I thought that they were just scavenging but now I really think they were moved in and establishing a colony inside the lid. There is a little hole underneath where the hose bracket thing attaches. It seems to serve no purpose but apparently leads inside the lid where it is hollow. As I sprayed and sprayed with water more an more ants came out and they started briniging stuff out with them - pupae and food? They didnt actually get inside where the filtration happens and its structural integrity is sound but im washing them out and hope they dont return Im not using any chemicals. I guess it was moist and warm in there.
Anyone else have a similar experience?
 
It's been said that vinegar deters ants. You could try rinsing that part of the chamber with some. Be careful not to get it into the filtration part, but an accidental drop wouldn't be tragic.
 
Never ants but I do get spiders setting up shop in the top of my xp3 every now and then. Last time it was a little male blackwidow. I do the same as you and just make sure I wash out the lid really good with each water change. The vinegar idea sounds pretty solid though you should try that.
 
Love them Rena's...Personally, the FilStar "class" replaced my beloved Fluval...Screw all that bio media they sell for it...I fill mine with crushed coral....As far as ants making a jungle colony out of my filters, nope never happened..LOL...If it is a problem, stick double tape around the bottom of the canister...Or, place the filter in a dish of water....No chemicals....
 
flush them out and feed them to you fish!!!
 
I think most ants have a powerful venom that might make them a bad choice for fish food.
 
Are they African Army Ants?!!?!?!?!?!?!!?Cuz if so, you in twa-ble...:ROFL:
 
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