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?
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3D Printed Formicarium?
Started By
Antennal_Scrobe
, Jul 24 2019 10:09 AM
3d printing formicarium nest
8 replies to this topic
#1
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Posted July 24 2019 - 10:09 AM
Antennal_Scrobe
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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
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Posted July 24 2019 - 10:17 AM
AntPhycho
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Antennal_Scrobe, on 24 Jul 2019 - 6:09 PM, said:
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
#3
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Posted July 24 2019 - 10:35 AM
Antennal_Scrobe
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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
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Posted July 24 2019 - 10:38 AM
Antennal_Scrobe
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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
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Posted July 24 2019 - 10:39 AM
AntPhycho
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Antennal_Scrobe, on 24 Jul 2019 - 6:35 PM, said:
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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#6
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Posted July 24 2019 - 11:55 AM
betterForm
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Antennal_Scrobe, on 24 Jul 2019 - 6:09 PM, said:
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...
Camponotus ...
my development blog >>
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#7
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Posted July 24 2019 - 1:04 PM
Antennal_Scrobe
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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
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Posted July 24 2019 - 1:21 PM
Silq
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betterForm, on 24 Jul 2019 - 7:55 PM, said:
Antennal_Scrobe, on 24 Jul 2019 - 6:09 PM, said:
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.
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