Two years ago, I built a multi-species ecosystem, This Happened

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[@MS-vw6vj]

Never realised how epic would this joirney turn out to be. Those changes seemed subtle as they were coming one by one over a large period of time, but when you gather them into just 15 minutes... yeah, that's pretty if you ask me👍 Thank's for keeping us updated. It was a great journey and i hope to see it continue this way in the future

[@AntScapes1]

Thank you so much for commenting man, it’s been an absolute journey and you’ve been here the whole of the way! I appreciate you for being here man ❤️

[@TheChromePoet]

@@AntScapes1 A spitting spider would be so cool in there.

[@100Pushups22]

Wow! Such an incredible journey!

[@AntScapes1]

Thank you man! Yeah it’s definitely been a blast these last 2 years 😄🐜

[@antsengland714]

Absolutely awesome Video! Loved seeing the journey of the tank, I remember the beginning so it was great to see it all. Insanely cool how many different critters you have in there living in harmony. ❤️🐜🐜🐜

[@AntScapes1]

Thank you Sadie! I’m glad you’ve been on the journey with me and it’s been great getting to know you along the way. Not only that but you becoming one of my really good friends 😄

[@antsengland714]

@@AntScapes1 becoming?? Lol

[@michalzdunski]

​@@AntScapes1 hey I was wondering how much in total that terrarium costed

[@AntScapes1]

@@michalzdunski honestly? I would never know, due to me adding everything piece by piece as I couldn’t afford to do it all in one go, but over the 2 years I’d easily say around 1000 max? The most expensive pieces were the initial offset though, like the tank itself and the lights, then the acrylic lid I had to cut etc.. after that it’s just the inhabitants which aren’t actually too much. But upkeep is easy by being able to feed left over food etc… that’s saves sugar and cricket costs 🤣

[@michalzdunski]

@@AntScapes1 WOW that's alot of money.Thanks for telling me though

[@StephenLedger]

That is awesome,I have watched fish aquarium creations but never imagined you could have such bio-diversity with insects and invertebrates in a small environment.

[@AntScapes1]

Thank you so so much for your kind words ❤️😄

[@user-hc8dy3jp5m]

This is one of the most stunning videos I've seen!!!! You've actually created an ecosystem of your own. I would love to see you add more creatures in it in the future.

[@AntScapes1]

Thank you very much for such kind words, I’ll make sure I keep you updated on the tank. I’m hoping to make another one just like this in the near future 😄 But creating a more biotope environment for Asian species ❤️

[@AntScapes1]

Either that or it’ll be an African based biotope 😄

[@user-hc8dy3jp5m]

looking forward to it😉

[@paulread4422]

Totally absorbing...loved it..could sit there for hours just watching it all unfold. P.s. hope nothing has escaped..?

[@AntScapes1]

Nothing has escaped fortunately 😄 I’ll be showing you all what’s next for this tank soon ❤️

[@samanthashim9292]

love watching how much care you put into your builds! I'd love to see you work with more isopods! they're my favorite~

[@AntScapes1]

Thank you! I’ll definitely do a little more content on isopods 😄

[@baker9718]

Dude this is amazing! When you get your garage sorted and you start a brand new build you should do a picture a day, absolutely love seeing things grow and change. Great video 👍

[@AntScapes1]

Thanks Baker! I’ll definitely be showing it off, hopefully by the back end of this year it’ll be complete - this is what I hope anyways 😂🤷‍♂️

[@leafystreet]

really inspiring stuff

[@danielbooth2982]

I know how much time and effort you put into creating this video and it really comes across well. It was a fascinating watch and am looking forward to seeing more like this.

[@AntScapes1]

Thank you very much pal! 😄

[@mr.tinkertrain8510]

10:15 ouff that's pretty nasty, how are you not afraid that these ticks will get out and bite you? they can deliver encephalitis@@AntScapes1

[@robertkwiatkowski356]

Amazing video man looks amazing and loved seeing it expand and grow just like you have much love and keep it up

[@AntScapes1]

Thank you Robert! It’s been a journey, I can’t thank you enough for being here the whole way 😄❤️

[@MantasDoesVideos]

underrated video fr

[@AntScapes1]

Thanks so much man, fr it means a lot bro ❤️

[@KraftyKc]

These things are incredibly interesting. Thank you for sharing this. I find bug creepy but as I learn about them it just opens up my heart to all living creatures.

[@jamesfranklyn8547]

Absolutely amazing, really enjoyed watching and listening to the video. Looking forward to watching more content.

[@AntScapes1]

Thank you so much!❤️

[@stephenw.6588]

Fantastic! Great to watch another one of your videos.

[@AntScapes1]

Thank you very much Stephen 😄❤️

[@GlitzyWitch]

Wow, what an amazing set up ❤

[@the_b_pack8714]

This is literally so cool.

[@Antramblings]

What a great round up video ryan you have me inspired for this years manica challenge . One of my queen's will go natural right from the start . Love those millis .

[@AntScapes1]

Thank you buddy, I wish I made it longer but i can save that for next time haha. I think natural is always best so I really do think they’ll do well pal 😄❤️🐜

[@fyinnit6045]

This is absolutely amazing. Never felt at peace from a video. Deserves more recognition tho!

[@AntScapes1]

Thank you so much ✌️❤️

[@cozi424]

man this is an amazing video keep more coming!

[@AntScapes1]

I will do man! I’ll be creating plenty more of these in the coming future, thanks for watching 😄

[@onepieceboll]

This is absolutely amazing!!

[@AntScapes1]

Thank you so so much 😄

[@amazingaquaticsandexotics3030]

beautiful setup

[@AntScapes1]

Thank you buddy 😄🌱

[@NguyenQuang-tm3ou]

dont some of the creatures can escape from an open surface when you doesnt close your tank? sorry if i did not make it clear

[@Logan_93]

I love your channel so much my man.

[@AntScapes1]

Thank you so much my guy, that really does mean a lot 😄❤️

[@MyrmidonDega]

Ive been thinking about starting up something similar to this in an old corner tank i still have in the garage. Im surprised by the sheer lack of flies in there given all the food you are dumping in.

[@AntScapes1]

To be honest the fruit gets eaten far too quickly for them to even reproduce. But I have had gnats before, couldn’t say it was ever out of control though or bad. Thank you for watching 😄

[@jackkelly4622]

Such a cool video

[@lukeday1777]

Love the video!! A tank like this is my dream, I would highly recomend a paludarium type-deal with fish.

[@AntScapes1]

If you check one of my recent uploads, you’ll see an exact build of this style buddy! I’ve also made another paludarium previously too 😄

[@mrpennywize]

Thanks for sharing such a cool project! I have questions: How much effort is it to maintain these species? Is there much watering involved and is adding the food or removing certain things necessary? I'm generally curious how versatile and alive you can keep such an ecosystem if it's completely self-sustained (apart from of course light and some movement or water from time to time) and what happens to the life over time if you just let it develop. Maybe you have a quick answer in store

[@AntScapes1]

Hey! Thank you so much for watching and I’m glad you liked the video 😄 In regards to the tank, it becomes lower maintenance the longer you have it. Generally I’ll add left overs of fruits & proteins, occasionally just give them some fresh stuff. The ants eat loads of the baby isopods and other things like worms and springtails, Young mealworms etc.. they control themselves. I keep a little water bowl in constantly so anything can drink if it needs too, I mist it down every 2-3 days or so. That’s about it really. I add jelly pots & gecko food too and just rotate them slightly in terms of what they get. The fire ants are suffering from mites at the moment too, I’m currently doing everything to get rid and it’s going well. But I’ll make sure I update that and add it to the video as I think they should be able to battle it 😄 🐜

[@SirMilone]

Amazing vivarium and fotographie!

[@AntScapes1]

Thank you very much Milon 😄✌️

[@Hymenonaturaliste2345]

Wow ! Amazing set-up

[@AntScapes1]

Thank you so much Nathan 😄

[@bobmccoy4652]

Can you show how to do a beginner set up? What kind of plants? And insects ?

[@AntScapes1]

A lot of my early videos explain it :D

[@RepvertYT]

Amazing video Ryan!❤

[@AntScapes1]

Thank you so much brother! ❤️ It’s been a minute man 😄

[@cameronjones8641]

Great vid!

[@dfgc7669]

This is the dream for any reptile keeper having real life nature in your house it’s amazing

[@AntScapes1]

Thank you! Yeah man, it really is awesome and I love having it around. It just makes me get so distracted all the time though🤣

[@cabk.4538]

This is so cool

[@stampinturtles]

Love it! I have just stared to keep ants. I have no idea if I’m doing it right. But I hope they will increase in numbers.

[@Nmh86]

So so cool! Great video too

[@AntScapes1]

Thank you so much for watching & the kinds words 😄

[@Zynthex]

love this

[@AntScapes1]

Thank you! ✌️❤️

[@coolguy70537]

respect for even having crickets. i would have every insect but bc they are noisy and eat everything😂

[@1990paulieboy]

I’m from the north east Sunderland to be exact your accent sounds like you’re from the NE I’d love to know! Good luck with your channel and keep the content coming!!

[@AntScapes1]

Thank you so much man! I’m not from Sunderland but I’m from the north east (a smoggie to be exact). I really appreciate the kind words though man 😄

[@kellyfay6370]

Need some lives of this tank again!

[@daquawnfranklin2475]

Where do you get your isopods ??

[@AntScapes1]

I breed them 😄

[@jacklantern7479]

This is insanely cool

[@AntScapes1]

Thank you so much Jack! Also thanks for watching dude 😄

[@roymug1623]

Watched for the first time this is amazing love the video new sub:)

[@AntScapes1]

Thank you so much Roy! That really does mean a lot 😄❤️

[@kellyfay6370]

Ryan thank goodness your alive! Lol. Great video. Need more!

[@AntScapes1]

Eyyy!! I’m alive I promise 😂 Good to see you too Kelly, it’s been a minute!

[@kalinilijevski5764]

good work

[@AntScapes1]

Thank you ❤️

[@formicastpod]

Loved the video my guy!

[@AntScapes1]

Thanks man 😄

[@sgtporkchops6830]

Amazing journey and tank! How do you do your lids? Do you ever have issue with escape?

[@AntScapes1]

I normally use acrylic sheets or corrugated plastic lids, then I cut a square in the middle in a rectangle shape, enough off me to cut, tweak and add. Then i barrier the underside with mineral oil. I then use DIY magnetic square with super fine micro steel mesh which sits flush on the rectangle and acts as like a magnetic mosquito net, magnetised on each corner with either Magnets, or I just double sided magnet tape them on and glue each end firmly. I have the basics of the lid on one of my ant videos, I believe it’s the Ligniperda bioactive setup, I show how I make the lid.

[@AntScapes1]

But hopefully that makes sense 🤣😫.

[@AntScapes1]

I’ll make sure it’s a short soon so I can show you!

[@sgtporkchops6830]

@@AntScapes1 Thank you for such a thorough reply! That makes total sense and I will watch the other video! Thank you again and please keep up the awesome work.

[@melissaskinner4501]

This is so Awesome

[@AntScapes1]

Thank you so much! Also thank you for watching too, it means the world ❤️

[@adriandiaz4624]

Which substrate did you use? Plants? I'd love to build a similar one myself

[@sethpearson1438]

My friend Aj wants to do this someday

[@Winterstillplayz]

The mournong gecko would have a steady food suppl

[@PlantKidShorts]

Could you add brown centipedes , or any other not venomous predators? LOVE IT!

[@AntScapes1]

I added stone centipedes but didn’t touch up much on those, I’d love to add a slightly larger centipede species though 😄

[@whativelearnedthisweek4518]

Do you have problems with Mold? Is it fully safe to have decomposing matter in a closed environment?

[@JoeyGvenlo]

This is so dope

[@AntScapes1]

❤️❤️

[@4ank117]

I have a 150 gallon tank and want to do something very similar to this. I have 2 questions: I breed mourning geckos, I want to put a few in the tank. It looks like you keep your enclosure open on the top. How do you keep yours from jumping out? I know Vaseline works for most bugs but what stops the geckos from just hoping out from one of your plants? How do you keep the ant population in check? What stops them from murdering everything else in the tank? In my experience ants are a species you can not really keep with anything else.

[@AntScapes1]

Hey Salt! First off thank you so much for commenting. Okay so question one, my lid has a square in the middle, when I got the geckos, I essentially just used double sided magnetic tape, to create a tight fitting light around the square with a mesh screen, I then just place a fan on the screen. This stops the geckos and ant flying things getting out. The ant population is controlled by the amount of other critters inside, they compete with them massively. Not aggressively, but peacefully and this is the balance which stops the colony being overfeed and booming. I also used European fire ants (Myrmica Ruginodis) which aren’t as prolific as (Solenopsis Geninata). This was also Sadie to the fact the species was native to me✌️❤️

[@4ank117]

@@AntScapes1 Awesome. Thanks for your response. You've given me some research to do. :)

[@leofritze8704]

What type of vine is that taking over the tank.

[@laurasutton1551]

Why didn't you use glass for the water area?

[@AntScapes1]

I should have! This was a huge error and flaw in my design sadly. I rushed it at the time and wanted it to be done so I could start moving things in haha. Thank you so much for watching 😄

[@Pirotess]

is your drainage layer always contain some water at a certain level or sometime there isnt any or just condensation ?

[@AntScapes1]

Yeah, mine will have a couple Mm of water in, either that or condensation inside it like you say 😄

[@Pirotess]

@@AntScapes1 ty for the fast reaction !

[@AntScapes1]

@@Pirotess no problems ❤️

[@brucegerry1736]

Amazing btw!

[@AntScapes1]

Thank you so much ❤️

[@mkuhnactual]

Kinda surprised the ants haven't taken over and eaten everything tbh. I still remember the lizard I caught as a kid in arizona and put in a tank only to get get back from a shopping trip to discovered ants got in and killed it.

[@AntScapes1]

Oh wow! These aren't as aggressive as the solenopsis sp but they still swarm and pack a small punch :)

[@spam_eye]

I’m only quarter of the way through, but what did you do for escape prevention?

[@AntScapes1]

A video I made where I make a natural setup for my Ligniperda I explain it on that video and show how easy it is, the only difference, instead of using corrugated plastic, I used thick acrylic sheets. 😄

[@diegopc1357]

You said you hadn’t seen your initial millipedes in over a year right. Take a look under the food 14:56

[@TotallyNo_One]

I LOVE ALL YOUR VIVARIUMS

[@AntScapes1]

❤️❤️

[@anthonykot]

Bung some Bombardier beetles into the mix... Kaboom ...

[@swansonfamilyfarm6833]

Please share the tank information

[@AntScapes1]

What info you need man?

[@swansonfamilyfarm6833]

@@AntScapes1 where can I purchase that tank?

[@lukeday1777]

this video literally comes across as a bbc documentery awsome!

[@AntScapes1]

Man that’s a big compliment! Thank you so much for watching 😄

[@jacktheron2900]

I would like to see a new tank about twice the size in area and hight so there is more area for new species

[@AntScapes1]

I’m already planning it but it’ll take a while due to costs. I have an expansion on room size planned, however, I have to wait to save first to do this. Then I can go full throttle with builds 😄❤️

[@jameshopson2580]

You been getting tips from Hollifer on voice overs?

[@AntScapes1]

Haha. No tips, just watched his vids 😂

[@klippschliefer4968]

When i saw the pachnoda beetle eating the chicken meat, my whole view on the world broke into pieces! I always thought they only eat fruits! Now they seem a bit creepy to me...

[@AntScapes1]

🤣🤣 - honestly though. The first time I saw them eating the chicken too it did completely change my perspective of them! I get you 😆

[@D3V1LZOFFICIAL]

This derserved more views😢

[@AntScapes1]

Thank you so much! 😄 Don’t worry though, hopefully one day I can get more views & better equipment. I do all my filming and editing on my phone so my content is limited. Plus cameras be expensive! 🤣. Your view and comment are all the support I need, thank you! ✌️❤️

[@yovanivaldes3104]

how much money did you put in when you first started ? not including the tank itself because i have that already

[@AntScapes1]

Apart from the tank, I genuinely would never know, each inhabitant has been added over the course of 2 years, even if you include the amount it’s cost for feeder insects etc, man, it’ll be a fair amount but I wouldn’t know. The tank and lights were definitely the most expensive though, once that was out the way it’s just small amounts each month, say 20-30 max.

[@AntScapes1]

Thank you very much for watching too by the way 😄❤️

[@yovanivaldes3104]

@@AntScapes1 I appreciate the insight ! Just started watching your vids and I’m hooked

[@ejustwait4me192]

Add a frog this is awesome

[@brucegerry1736]

Does the decomposing food smell?

[@AntScapes1]

It doesn’t! It gets eaten too quick to actually gain a bad smell 😄

[@trenthobson2756]

What species was Alfred? He's so adorable!

[@AntScapes1]

He’s a green & golden bell frog ❤️

[@trenthobson2756]

@@AntScapes1 cool, thank you!

[@ripleyandweeds1288]

1:38 get stickbugged

[@AntScapes1]

🤣🤣

[@beefie101]

HEY DAR MAN FAN

[@galfyes]

no body beetles :D

[@AntScapes1]

😆😆

[@whippedcreamsupreme]

How long do you think it’ll take for the other creatures to evolve into their own civilizations and the reptiles into social media/ metaverse CEO’s?

[@AntScapes1]

Not long now, I heard they’re bringing out 3G inside the setup, a little behind but they’ll catch up! Who knows, they might rule us soon 🤔

[@whippedcreamsupreme]

@@AntScapes1 here’s hoping they’ll make it to the Mars terrarium by 2030 🤞🙏

[@creeperhannes]

You should add some predators!

[@AntScapes1]

Yeah I definitely need some more predators! 😎

[@4.23.21]

Have you seen the mourning geckos eat the ants i habe a small ant colony and i would hate for my geckos to eat them all

[@4.23.21]

What do you do to keep the cricket population in check

[@bloodandtunder]

do you know how did the mantis die?

[@AntScapes1]

Sadly it died during shedding - it’s quiet a common problem sadly

[@Friendofthescavs]

20.3k

[@AntScapes1]

Haha? 😆

[@trishrayner8753]

IM LATE I KNOW BUT YOU NEED TO ADD A SMALL CRAB

[@AntScapes1]

Ouu that’s a great idea! I’d definitely need a new water area though, that’s something I need to really think about 🤔

[@sleepersix]

Are there any predators for red fire ants?

[@AntScapes1]

Hey Ian, Yeah there’s a few like the geckos, spiders, millipedes & crickets but mainly the competition for food means they can’t ever overgrow, this is due to the balance of it all. But because they just live in harmony unless really pestered, they don’t tend to swarm individuals but instead just get what they need & fast haha!

[@Joch2009]

Where can I get a giant African millipede

[@sublimethebot4893]

Online

[@leo.soininen]

I have a question, and that is why feed them so much? I feel that could be detrimental to an ecosystem. Also, I feel that your isopod population has gotten well out of control and just looks like the Tokyo metro all the time.

[@AntScapes1]

The isopod situation definitely got way out of control. To be honest, it was an easy way to decompose and add too it, but that added to the increase of each species. I’m making a brand new one and more which you will see on the channel updates that are already out. My shorts are an easier way to catch up. Thanks so much for watching ❤️

[@leo.soininen]

@@AntScapes1Recently found your channel (yesterday) and I can say is you make top tier content! Keep up the great work. Never built an ecosystem myself, but once I move and get some dosh, I will definitely build one for my self.

[@MasteredMirages]

Is it normal for ants to move their home so much? And why did you pick fire ants? They hurt.

[@AntScapes1]

Haha! Yeah, ants create satellite nests all the time, different stages of egg development will need different humidity and temperatures so they move certain eggs or larvae to different areas 😄

[@stijncroon9287]

Woahhhhh

[@AntScapes1]

❤️😄

[@springrainmountainwanderer4901]

Wait are crickets carnivores?

[@AntScapes1]

They’re opportunists and eat everything! 🦗

[@XYtrumpsXX]

How do animals thrive in the tank filled with fire ants that will attack them relentlessly

[@AntScapes1]

They’re European fire ants which aren’t as aggressive 😄 They work alongside them and have symbiotic relationships with things like the Isopods 🐜

[@XYtrumpsXX]

@AntScapes aahh, right... the fire ants here attack anything that moves

[@gargeely4901]

we ball

[@shefilipina]

amazinggggffff

[@AntScapes1]

Thank you so much for watching 😄❤️

[@callmekrismael7023]

When you have to remove a species like the stick bugs, do you have to go in and get each one individually? And what happens if you have to end the tank, like if the ants got too populous?

[@AntScapes1]

The ants never get too populous due to the fact I’m not adding extra queens and letting it runs its course, but not only that (because certain ant species could) - I have a lot of natural predators for the ants, even the crickets, to the geckos, millipedes etc, I am however, closing the tank down and starting a whole new one with an individual biotope like from say “Asian only species” or “African species only”. I’m super excited to get started 😄 Thanks so much for watching too! Essentially the balance is within the setup, it just controls itself, the isopods and other critters each so much, they also compete with the ants in that they’d never overfeed and grow too big 🐜☮️