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3D Printed Formicarium?

Started By Antennal_Scrobe , Jul 24 2019 10:09 AM
3d printing formicarium nest

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8 replies to this topic

#1 Offline Antennal_Scrobe - Posted July 24 2019 - 10:09 AM

Antennal_Scrobe

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Are 3D printed nests generally good for keeping ants? If so, what are some good tips I could use if I were to design one? Has anyone had any experience keeping ants in such a nest?


Currently keeping:

 

Tetramorium immigrans, Pogonomyrmex occidentalis

Myrmica punctiventris, Formica subsericea

Formica pallidefulva, Aphaeogaster cf. rudis

Camponotus pennsylvanicus

Camponotus nearcticus

Crematogaster cerasi

Temnothorax ambiguus

Prenolepis imparis

#2 Offline AntPhycho - Posted July 24 2019 - 10:17 AM

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Are 3D printed nests generally good for keeping ants? If so, what are some good tips I could use if I were to design one? Has anyone had any experience keeping ants in such a nest?

 I find that 3D printed (and bare acrylic) formicariums work great with small species like Solenopsis or Tetramorium. You can get many free formicarium templates on https://www.thingive...675d38a07048d88


Founding (for myself):                                                                                       My Shop

Solenopsis invicta experiments...                                                                     California

                                                                                                                     Ants & Formicaria

                                                                                                                     

                                                                                                                                       

                                              

                                                  

 

 

 

#3 Offline Antennal_Scrobe - Posted July 24 2019 - 10:35 AM

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I imagine 3D printed designs are even better than acrylic though, because they do have a texture of sorts that ants can cling to. Not to mention cheaper and easier to make.


Currently keeping:

 

Tetramorium immigrans, Pogonomyrmex occidentalis

Myrmica punctiventris, Formica subsericea

Formica pallidefulva, Aphaeogaster cf. rudis

Camponotus pennsylvanicus

Camponotus nearcticus

Crematogaster cerasi

Temnothorax ambiguus

Prenolepis imparis

#4 Offline Antennal_Scrobe - Posted July 24 2019 - 10:38 AM

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I think I will go for a Hybrid Nest style water tray under the nest, with a portion of the floor being a mesh that water vapor can go through. I'm not sure, however, if I need to put cotton in the tray. I would much rather do without, and because Tarheel Ants nests work fine without any cotton at all, I think I could do this without any problems.


Currently keeping:

 

Tetramorium immigrans, Pogonomyrmex occidentalis

Myrmica punctiventris, Formica subsericea

Formica pallidefulva, Aphaeogaster cf. rudis

Camponotus pennsylvanicus

Camponotus nearcticus

Crematogaster cerasi

Temnothorax ambiguus

Prenolepis imparis

#5 Offline AntPhycho - Posted July 24 2019 - 10:39 AM

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I imagine 3D printed designs are even better than acrylic though, because they do have a texture of sorts that ants can cling to. Not to mention cheaper and easier to make.

When it comes down to it, they are both bare plastic. 


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Founding (for myself):                                                                                       My Shop

Solenopsis invicta experiments...                                                                     California

                                                                                                                     Ants & Formicaria

                                                                                                                     

                                                                                                                                       

                                              

                                                  

 

 

 

#6 Offline betterForm - Posted July 24 2019 - 11:55 AM

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Are 3D printed nests generally good for keeping ants? If so, what are some good tips I could use if I were to design one? Has anyone had any experience keeping ants in such a nest?

 

See my 3d printed modular formicarium...

Messor's...

7zhf7WU.jpg

 

 

XJl9oZt.jpg

 

Camponotus ...

acYDFkk.jpg

 

my development blog >>


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ant keeping stuff in my Etsy shop

 

#7 Offline Antennal_Scrobe - Posted July 24 2019 - 1:04 PM

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Cooool!


Currently keeping:

 

Tetramorium immigrans, Pogonomyrmex occidentalis

Myrmica punctiventris, Formica subsericea

Formica pallidefulva, Aphaeogaster cf. rudis

Camponotus pennsylvanicus

Camponotus nearcticus

Crematogaster cerasi

Temnothorax ambiguus

Prenolepis imparis

#8 Offline Silq - Posted July 24 2019 - 1:21 PM

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Are 3D printed nests generally good for keeping ants? If so, what are some good tips I could use if I were to design one? Has anyone had any experience keeping ants in such a nest?

 

See my 3d printed modular formicarium...
 

my development blog >>

 

crazy how I was trying to browse this forum yesterday during work then it went down. I was getting back into 3D printing and searched Thingiverse then they crashed. I checked this morning and I actually ran into your 3D model on thingiverse and downloaded it. That is so cool that you are a poster there and here. I have camponotus too and was worried if these would work with them but now I know. I will try to print it this week. My only concern is that I am using a MP mini so my print bed size is limited to 120x120 but it looks like most of everything are smaller parts. I'll check it out in a bit after I finish my other prints.


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Ant Journal: http://www.formicult...-journal/<br> My colonies: C. Semitestaceus, P. Californicus, V. Pergandei, S. Xyloni.

#9 Offline betterForm - Posted July 25 2019 - 1:12 AM

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...
my print bed size is limited to 120x120....

 

 

maximum block size: 102 mm.
AcKTbA4.jpg


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My Instagram

ant keeping stuff in my Etsy shop

 

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