11 replies to this topic

[AntsCalifornia]

(Update 12/19/17)

I'm currently working on my new project. I've decided to recreate the drew dirt box. I used the size he used using the instructions he gave on his research and design. The boxes were way smaller than I thought, so as you may see in the pictures, I've bought bigger boxes to make a bigger version. I think they'll be the same size when they're done as drew's Pogonomyrmex formicariums I think. I plan to stick my C. fragilis in one of these. The first box, also the testing box, is almost done. It will house my Dorymyrmex insanus. All it needs is hydrostone, which I'm nervous about. I've never used hydrostone before. I will have this finished before the end of the week though.

Edited by AntsCalifornia, December 19 2017 - 5:42 PM.

[Connectimyrmex]

I actually made a similar formicarium once, without even knowing Drew's existed.

[AntsCalifornia]

I made my first prototype for my C. fragilis. Here are some pictures. 

[Antking117]

Photos are upside down, you can go into the gallery to rotate them Cool looking though.

[AntsCalifornia]

Turns out the inner chamber was to close to the wall, I watched as the queen tried and failed to jam her enormous body in but with no luck. I decided the best solution was to 3d print the inner and give about an inch of space. I'm also going to 3d print a lid that will have better hold of the tube and won't crack as the tubes are bursting the ceiling creating cracks going across the entire roof. After all this is done I'll put a smaller species in this one, probably a Solenopsis colony I've been wanting to give a formicarium.

 

Here's some pictures of the 3d plans, inputs would be appreciated as this is my first attempt at 3d printing.

 

Edited by AntsCalifornia, February 14 2018 - 10:19 PM.

[Jadeninja9]

This is really cool man

[Derpy]

I like it, tell us how the project goes.

[AntsCalifornia]

So I currently only have access to a printer in my school club. The printer I'm going to print it on got finished recently. I'm currently changing the design to make it more functional. Hopefully the prototype will be finished by this week and I can get it printed. If all goes well I will probably try to print a couple before summer break.

 

Edit: Here's the design for the large one's lid, but I have more materials for the small ones, so I'm working on those next.

Edited by AntsCalifornia, May 15 2018 - 5:09 PM.

[drtrmiller]

More functional? How?

[AntsCalifornia]

More functional? How?

This new design has more ventilation. Also it extends the place where the tubes insert on the side to reduce bending of the vinyl tubing. It also combines both the vinyl tubing ports on the lid so I only have to remove one plug instead of unplugging two when re hydrating. Also my size scales were a little off and I decided to finally fix it since I only have one test print before the finished product.

 

Edit: I realized I never said what colony ended up in the last formicarium I made, and if anyone is interested, it was my S. xyloni. Here's a picture of them inside.

Edited by AntsCalifornia, May 7 2018 - 6:39 PM.

[AntsCalifornia]

Created the design for the small ones. It's too bad I finished right now, school is almost over, which means an end to 3d printing privileges.    Was going to print it today, but some weird thing is going on with makerbot because some company bought it and screwed up the software and all the makerbot printers in the world are not working right now. Hopefully I'll get at least one print before summer break, but after that I have to wait until school starts again.

Edited by AntsCalifornia, May 10 2018 - 4:15 PM.

[AntsCalifornia]

The parts are being printed and I will put the 3d printed one together probably next week when school gets out and I don't have to worry about finals.