912 replies to this topic

[ANTdrew]

Here is a nest I made using Hobby Lobby Perfect Cast and wet sand to mold the chambers. I got a rougher finish by using Patio Paver sand. It is 5" by 5". I plan to move a Camponotus nearcticus colony in here pretty soon. 

[Locness]

Here is a nest I made using Hobby Lobby Perfect Cast and wet sand to mold the chambers. I got a rougher finish by using Patio Paver sand. It is 5" by 5". I plan to move a Camponotus nearcticus colony in here pretty soon.

Well done, looks clean and natural.

Edited by Locness, April 28 2023 - 3:23 PM.

[ANTdrew]

Here is a nest I made using Hobby Lobby Perfect Cast and wet sand to mold the chambers. I got a rougher finish by using Patio Paver sand. It is 5" by 5". I plan to move a Camponotus nearcticus colony in here pretty soon. 

The C. nearcticus colony I moved into this nest two weeks ago is doing great. They have plenty of room to grow into the new nest, and the visibility is so much better than the tube they were in. 

[Barristan]

I designed a test tube connector (called FormiBridge) which allows to connect multiple test tubes and/or vinyl tubing together. It is made to be printed using flexible TPU 95a.

 

A colony of Pheidole pallidula living in a FormiBridge:

 

Flexibility demonstration:

 

 

I can easily customize the FormiBridge (number of connectors, diameters)

Here a picture of one I made for a customer from the UK:

[Barristan]

 

I want to show you a small plaster founding chamber nest (86.5 mm x 36.5 mm x 19 mm).

The glass plate is removable but should be fixated with small pieces of tape, plasticine, or air-drying clay.

It has three 10 mm openings and is shipped with three 10 mm rubber connectors.

Moisturizing is done by adding water to the watering chamber through the small opening at the rear. The water is quickly absorbed by the nest.

You can connect multiple nests together as shown in the picture.

Vinyl tubing 14/10 mm can also be connected. a 10/8 mm tubing can be put directly into the hole.

 

 

3D View: https://crazyants.de/otn_gips.xhtml

[Ernteameise]

 

I want to show you a small plaster founding chamber nest (86.5 mm x 36.5 mm x 19 mm).

The glass plate is removable but should be fixated with small pieces of tape, plasticine, or air-drying clay.

It has three 10 mm openings and is shipped with three 10 mm rubber connectors.

Moisturizing is done by adding water to the watering chamber through the small opening at the rear. The water is quickly absorbed by the nest.

You can connect multiple nests together as shown in the picture.

Vinyl tubing 14/10 mm can also be connected. a 10/8 mm tubing can be put directly into the hole.

 

 

3D View: https://crazyants.de/otn_gips.xhtml

Ah, so it is you selling these on Kleinanzeigen.

[Barristan]

Yep

[ANTdrew]

I put the finishing touches on this new setup for my explosively growing Monomorium minimum colony. I call it the MonoMansion. I kept details to a minimum to not obscure the tiny Monomins, but I did put lava rocks from Guatemala.

Edited by ANTdrew, July 26 2023 - 12:38 PM.

[antperson24]

I have never used Perfect Cast before, and was wondering if you are able to drill into it to make the entrances. Also what what do you use for your out worlds? I have tried display cases, but they get scratched so easily that they are impossible to use. By the way, good job on your latest formicarium ANTdrew! 

Edited by antperson24, July 26 2023 - 3:18 PM.

[ANTdrew]

It is very easy to drill holes in Perfect Cast. I use display cases from Hobby Lobby for my outworlds. BoxBox containers from Container Store are another good option. Neither will scratch if you work carefully.

[antperson24]

It is very easy to drill holes in Perfect Cast. I use display cases from Hobby Lobby for my outworlds. BoxBox containers from Container Store are another good option. Neither will scratch if you work carefully.

Thanks, that's weird as I used ones from Hobby Lobby and just gently using a clean paper towel to dry them off scratched them. I'll try again and just be really really gentle.

[ANTdrew]

Use microfiber cloths or soft cotton.

[Full_Frontal_Yeti]

I have never used Perfect Cast before, and was wondering if you are able to drill into it to make the entrances. Also what what do you use for your out worlds? I have tried display cases, but they get scratched so easily that they are impossible to use. By the way, good job on your latest formicarium ANTdrew! 

If you plan it you can use vinyl tube in the mold build stage to have all the ports you want in place up front.
With one end of the tube in the sand/play-dough(what will be the chambers) and the other end either just pressed firmly into the mold wall and plugged up so the pour won't leak into it.
Or pushed through a hole in the mold wall and sealed around the edges with a bit of clay or whatever(or just a really tight fit) to prevent any leaking.

The tube can be easily pulled out after drying if you don't want vinyl tubing, or left in place/replaced as needed. As the port hole will be a perfect fit to the tube used (no need to match drill bit size to tube size).


Not that i done any of this personally, but I'm in my planning stage to do this, so i been doing a lot of homework and this is a method used i see commonly, and plan to do myself.

 

[That_one_ant_guy]

Making formicariums again, I'm thinking about maybe selling these, I wanna hear your thoughts on it, eould you guys buy?

Edited by That_one_ant_guy, July 30 2023 - 6:26 PM.

[That_one_ant_guy]

Made another formicarium this one a three story petri dish setup same question as above, do you think it would sell?

[gs5248]

I put the finishing touches on this new setup for my explosively growing Monomorium minimum colony. I call it the MonoMansion. I kept details to a minimum to not obscure the tiny Monomins, but I did put lava rocks from Guatemala.

Are you using a lid less design for your Monomorium's? Just with fluon? I am asking because I have a Pheidole californica colony that I would like to make a similar setup with, with an open top design. I have never used fluon before as a barrier and don't know how well it would do just horizontally with no lid. I am guessing it would be infinitely more effective upside down though.

Edited by gs5248, August 3 2023 - 8:07 PM.

[ANTdrew]

I put the finishing touches on this new setup for my explosively growing Monomorium minimum colony. I call it the MonoMansion. I kept details to a minimum to not obscure the tiny Monomins, but I did put lava rocks from Guatemala.

Are you using a lid less design for your Monomorium's? Just with fluon? I am asking because I have a Pheidole californica colony that I would like to make a similar setup with, with an open top design. I have never used fluon before as a barrier and don't know how well it would do just horizontally with no lid. I am guessing it would be infinitely more effective upside down though.

I have a lid with a big cut out hole. Horizontal fluon would not stop Monomorium long term. The colony categorically rejected the nest by the way. I gave them their test tube back. Myrmy’s Law…

[ANTdrew]

Here is a new satellite expansion nest I made for my Crematogaster. I went for an old school look with clay molded chambers.

[UtahAnts]

That's got to be one of my favorite all-in-ones I've seen. Did you coat the chambers?

[bmb1bee]

I agree. Those floating ledges are definitely a unique touch to an already creative formicarium design.