902 replies to this topic

[Crystals]

Post your photos of your formicariums and outworlds here so others can see.  If you can include some information like material used, that would be great.

 

This site has a similar thread, but some of the pictures are missing: http://antfarm.yuku....otographsphotos

 

 

Soulsynapse has kindly  gathered all of the pictures from pages 1 through 15 and put them in an image album for those who just like picture looking.     http://imgur.com/gallery/NB5fj

Edited by Crystals, February 23 2017 - 6:56 AM.

[Crystals]

Here are some of mine: 

 

 

Nice alternative to a test tube if you are boosting:

Glass coasters and clay with damp cotton:

Plastic Growtube:

Bead container:

 

 

Mine are all made from grout, I have a how to build thread here: http://forum.formicu...ut-formicarium/ and here: http://www.formicult...ced-hydration/ 

Edited by Crystals, December 28 2017 - 11:28 AM.

[Crystals]

This is a removable formicarium in an outworld.  The outworld is actually a $10 betta aquarium from Walmart.  When this colony gets bigger I can just attach a bigger formicarium and remove the small one once they move.  I used grout and added decorations and then patted down some sand.  Drill a hole and done.  Simple.

 

Here are some of my outworlds.  The first one is a $2 airtight food container from the Dollarama.  I drilled 4 holes in the lid and put mesh over them.  The second one is another betta aquarium from Walmart.

Edited by Crystals, December 28 2017 - 11:30 AM.

[dspdrew]

Good idea, I was about to make one of these threads myself. I guess I might as well add my formicarium to this.

 

I posted about this before in one of my Crematogaster journals, but I guess it would make more sense to put it here. This is a little formicarium I threw together fairly quick using K-23 soft fire brick (like this: http://www.axner.com...firebricks.aspx). So far it's worked really well. You can find this kind of fire brick at most pottery supply stores.

 

 

[Crystals]

Where did you get that black outworld supporter?  And what exactly is it?  It looks like black plastic, but it has me stumped.

[dspdrew]

Where did you get that black outworld supporter?  And what exactly is it?  It looks like black plastic, but it has me stumped.

That's exactly what it is--black plastic. You can get different sizes and thicknesses of ABS plastic on eBay for fairly cheap.

[Crystals]

ABS plastic, interesting.  I looked it up, but shipping to my rural location is horrible.  I can probably get pieces of acrylic for cheaper.  I could probably use something else, but I will have to think for a while for it to occur to me.

[dspdrew]

Anytime I am getting rid of anything that has large surfaces of flat plastic, I cut them off and keep them before throwing it out.

[Crystals]

One of the best methods of preventing ant escape in the outworld that I have found is to made a lip around the edge of the outworld and cover it in fluon.  Even my escape artist Lasius can't walk upside down on fluon.

Edited by Crystals, December 28 2017 - 11:31 AM.

[Mercutia]

Plaster formicariums are great beginner formicariums because they are easy and cheap to build. They do however have their downsides; one being that they are quite prone to molding. With that being said I will still show you how to make one. =)

 

(Modeling clay/Plasticine, Plaster of Paris, Flat-bottomed basin, Tubing, Glass Sheet [from a photo frame])




If you have a design, invert it so that the design will come out the correct way after molding.




Mold your plasticine against the glass. Make sure you adjust the size of the tunnels and chambers based on your ants' needs. Smooth the plasticine out as much as possible to create fewer imperfections during the molding process.




Put the glass into the basin with the plasticine facing up. Remember to include your piping (if necessary, you can always drill for your piping later but putting it immediately ensures perfect fit for your piping. Also, remember to include a place to hydrate your formicarium with. It may not be necessary because you can always spray the back of the formicarium with water but I did it just in case. Fill the basin up with plaster. It is best to fill 1/4, then tap it a little to make the bubbles settle, then continue filling in 1/4 until desired thickness. If you have, I would suggest using plaster gauze to strengthen the structure but I didn't because I'm cheap and I forgot to get it. Leave for 24 hours to dry.


First time doing this, I am concerned by the overall structural stability since it is a little on the thin side, but only time will tell.

[wook]

Some species of ants do only live in the wood like Camponotus truncatus or Camponotus fallax.

I was lucky to find one queen of C. fallax for which I've made wooden funding chamber:

 

Queen started to pull cotton and filling chamber with it. To prevent that I added small pieces of cork.

At this moment I need to build wooden formicarium for lady and her babies.

[Crystals]

Here is another one I recently made.  Grout in an 5x7 picture frame.  The watering channel is on the bottom, but the tube to add water to it is on top.

Edited by Crystals, December 28 2017 - 11:32 AM.

[dspdrew]

Man, everybody just busts these things out so fast. I'm such a perfectionist, it's been like six months now, and I'm still trying to come up with a design I like.

[Aussie Dan]

there's some great stuff on here already well done ppl, Nice to be able to see the photos for a change!!!

I've been using a few of these ideas in my very short time keeping, (don't have many pics yet) but I've found perspex the quickest, and there so easy.

I'll take some specific photos soon but heres a pic i do have, Its not a great photo, But you get the idea.

Edited by Aussie Dan, January 8 2014 - 4:11 PM.

[Myrmecologeek]

there's some great stuff on here already well done ppl, Nice to be able to see the photos for a change!!!

I've been using a few of these ideas in my very short time keeping, (don't have many pics yet) but I've found perspex the quickest, and there so easy.

I'll take some specific photos soon but heres a pic i do have, Its not a great photo, But you get the idea.

This looks similar to the one I made out of layered acrylic sheets. with both viewing layers made of glass to prevent scratching. 

[Inlineants]

Here's a few I made last summer.

 

 

 

 

Edited by Inlineants, January 13 2014 - 10:38 PM.

[Crystals]

That last one looks neat.  Is it just an outworld, or is the nest hidden in there somewhere?

[Inlineants]

Its just an outworld it would be neat to have a nest in there though. I didn't even think about it i have 2 more i can make maybe ill set one up like that. The bases are for an aquarium thing that was actually originally for crabs!

Edited by Inlineants, January 14 2014 - 11:02 AM.

[Oz Ant]

My Myremcia vindex set-up. It's an all-in-one with Ytong nest, false bottom foraging area covered with desert sand.

 

 

 

 

 

[Chinese juvenile]