912 replies to this topic

[nevillz]

Hey! This is my DIY formicarium for small colony of L. Niger. I'm waiting for material to make transparent cover for ant nest and whole formicarium.

Central part of nest is for watering purposes. Whenever colony is in need for more water they can go on top of the nest and get water from sponge / cottonwool.

I could add breakable hole in the bottom so I could connect this formicarium to anything bigger. Every part is replacable.

Do you have any protips?

Edited by nevillz, February 26 2018 - 4:02 PM.

[Kevin]

Hey! This is my DIY formicarium for small colony of L. Niger. I'm waiting for material to make transparent cover for ant nest and whole formicarium.

Central part of nest is for watering purposes. Whenever colony is in need for more water they can go on top of the nest and get water from sponge / cottonwool.

I could add breakable hole in the bottom so I could connect this formicarium to anything bigger. Every part is replacable.

Do you have any protips?

 

 

 

I assume the outer piece is to have an acrylic box fitted on for an outworld? If so you need to make a plug or something on the of the water port for the sponge otherwise they can nest inside the watering chamber, which you probably don't want. Other than that, I like it.

Edited by Kevin, February 26 2018 - 4:30 PM.

[Major]

Well I guess it’s time for me to make a nest too for my Camponotus! Any ideas. (Btw I really like Drew’s setups)

[KBant]

Honestly just buy a fortress from Tar Heel Ants. Recently bought two and then another two. They work very well!

[Major]

I’ve already bought some formicariums, but made one for my queen today!

[Major]

deleted by author

Edited by Major, September 13 2019 - 11:24 AM.

[CoolColJ]

http://www.formicult...iy-formicarium/

Yeah I know it sucks. Didn’t have a test tube so threw this together.

 

Better than a test tube apart from visibility

[Jamiesname]

Here's a pic of a formicarium that I made out of aeriated concrete (AC). I live in the US so This stuff is virtually unheard of. This was just supposed to be a test block that I made, but it looks like I've finally found a good recipe that cures rather well. I've tried several combinations and was starting to get discouraged, so I'm happy this turned out.

I decided to just carve it out and move my small, yet over crowded C. pennsylvanicus colony into it. There's more space than they need, but it's not really a big deal - the colony is growing fast.

This colony is also doubling as a gunea pig. If there's no issues after a couple weeks (with the colony or brick) I'm going to make a giant form that I can fill with AC that produces several smaller bricks at a time. I plan on selling the bricks if all goes well.

Edited by Jamiesname, June 23 2018 - 5:16 PM.

[Major]

Uhhh don’t use my formicarium, had an escape.

Edited by The_NY_Major, July 7 2018 - 7:02 PM.

[FormicaAntFarmKit]

I use acrylic storage boxes from IKEA and 3D printed nests to give my ant farms some individuality =)

 

  

 

  

 

[EthanNgo678]

http://s347.photobuc...dn.jpg.html?o=0

 

This is my first plaster nest. Its supposed to hold Tapinoma sessile or Tetramorium sp.e

[CoolColJ]

I use acrylic storage boxes from IKEA and 3D printed nests to give my ant farms some individuality =)

Please use a different colour for the nests.
That brown is by far the worst for colour contrast to ants, and just looks pukey...

[DaveJay]

I use acrylic storage boxes from IKEA and 3D printed nests to give my ant farms some individuality =)

Please use a different colour for the nests.
That brown is by far the worst for colour contrast to ants, and just looks pukey...

It would look good for a red sand arid set up I reckon. Personally I prefer a natural colour for nests, most plastic formicariums look like they should be in a space station or something. I like them being brown but there are many shades brown!

[CelticWanderer]

Has anyone tried making a formicarium out of that green fake plant stuff? Anyone know what I'm talking about? I think they call it florists foam?

[Zeiss]

Has anyone tried making a formicarium out of that green fake plant stuff? Anyone know what I'm talking about? I think they call it florists foam?

I do think you mean florists' foam.  There is a good reason to not make any formicarium out of it: ants can easily chew through it.  

[CelticWanderer]

Has anyone tried making a formicarium out of that green fake plant stuff? Anyone know what I'm talking about? I think they call it florists foam?

I do think you mean florists' foam. There is a good reason to not make any formicarium out of it: ants can easily chew through it.

I know, but I can't seem to find any AAC or soft concrete blocks ANYWHERE! I was going to mold the nest out of it and use it in an all-in-one type setup, but I guess you have a point with them being able to chew it to pieces:/

[Zeiss]

 I know, but I can't seem to find any AAC or soft concrete blocks ANYWHERE! I was going to mold the nest out of it and use it in an all-in-one type setup, but I guess you have a point with them being able to chew it to pieces:/

If you live in the US, there are no places that sell just regular bricks.  Closest thing to it is firebrick, I think.  Look around the forum using the search bar to see what people do to make nests.

[CelticWanderer]

If you live in the US, there are no places that sell just regular bricks. Closest thing to it is firebrick, I think. Look around the forum using the search bar to see what people do to make nests.

Cheers Zeiss 👍🏼

[Crystals]

 

I know, but I can't seem to find any AAC or soft concrete blocks ANYWHERE! I was going to mold the nest out of it and use it in an all-in-one type setup, but I guess you have a point with them being able to chew it to pieces:/

 

I made a number of tutorials for making formicariums from various materials: http://www.formicult...of-handy-links/

[DaveJay]

A few of mine. They have a box coated with grout beneath the substrate. Some just have a straw embedded so water can be introduced to the bottom of the substrate to provide a gradient, in some the box has vents on the top and low on a side and is filled with wet sand. I'm still in the experimental stage atm.