15 replies to this topic

[PTAntFan]

When I first got into anting, I developed an equally powerful zeal for designing formicariums.  Since hydrostone is remarkably difficult to find here in the SFV, I turned to alternative mediums.  That lead me down the path of combining natural materials with acrylics/plastics.  If you go on the Yuku forum, you'll see some of the crazy stuff I came up with. 

 

One design I've never been able to realize is a circular tower.  There were a host of issues I won't go into here, but since I do have a local plastics shop nearby I thought I would give it a go again.  One of the biggest problems I faced before was even describing what I wanted to the shop.  In comes Sketchup.

 

Before you look at this and judge, I will admit that I am TERRIBLE with Sketchup and have no 3d design training whatsoever.  But please do take a look and add a comment please from a conceptual point of view.  My design goals were as follows:

1. Minimize watering frequency.
2. Maximize viewing angles
3. Create a moisture gradient
4. Enable ants to create their own habitat

Hopefully you can view the text I've placed in this image.  If not you can go direct to photobucket and click on the magnifying glass in the upper right corner. or DL the attached.

Attached Images

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[drtrmiller]

You should create project pages on the byFormica website.

I only offer counsel for projects that are developed, described and nurtured there.

After a year of posting similar diagrams and ideas on Yuku before it died, it became clear that forums are a good place to connect with individuals, but no one really invests time in helping see projects through.

Working with byFormica allows me to assist with iteration, prototyping, sourcing, and actually seeing meritable products through to completion.

Check out how Community Content works on byFormica:

http://www.byformica...mmunity_Content

Edited by drtrmiller, April 22 2015 - 5:30 PM.

[PTAntFan]

Thanks drtmiller. I'm just looking for hobbyist feedback, I'm not looking to make a profit. If I were I'd probably have issues with the intellectual property clause on that byFormica website.

[dspdrew]

This is very similar to what I've been making.

 

Instead of having the water in a giant saucer that takes up a lot of space and is prone to spilling, mine just hold the water in the center container.

 

Instead of slits where the ants could possibly find their way through, I put a layer of Hydrostone on the bottom, and then add another layer with the center container planted in it. This allows water to soak under and up the substrate, without allowing any ants to make their way through. It also creates a little moisture gradient.

[PTAntFan]

so you have a water tower in the center? That's cool. Is it round as well or is this a retrofit of your design with the water container under the outworld?

[dspdrew]

The ones I've been making are square, but I have been planning out a really tall round one with a sealed, air pressure regulated hydration tank. The usual Sparklets water dispensing method used in many things like liquid feeders.

 

Here's what I've been making.

 

http://www.formicult...ated-4-11-2015/

 

[LAnt]

This is in the sfv btw.
http://www.reynoldsam.com/

[PTAntFan]

cool, drew! LAnt! What! Is that a new shop? I remember searching and searching 3 years ago and finding nothing whatsoever. Going there tomorrow.

[LAnt]

Lol I was googling for hydrostone maybe a few months back and that came up. I haven't been there yet. Good luck!

[dspdrew]

That's where I ordered all my casting materials from.

[dspdrew]

These are what I'm thinking of using for mine. The measurements were just a little different than I thought after I emailed them to find out, so I'm not sure if I'll be able to get the right sized plastic pipe for the water tank.

 

http://www.modernvas...Y022/20&cat=138

[PTAntFan]

Are those glass?  What will you put in the middle?   A column of hydro-stone?

 

I'd like to go with glass too, but prototyping in plastics obviously much more affordable.  Once I had a working model I could take it to a glass manufacturer maybe.  I know almost nothing about glassware. 

[dspdrew]

Yes they're glass. I plan to use a PVC pipe in the middle.

[PTAntFan]

That is interesting.  How will the moisture gradient work?  Are you going to have hydrostone at the bottom of the glass then?  This sounds like a simple and cool design.  Have you checked the diameter of the vase and what diameter PVC you can get?  From a plastic shop, you could also get acrylic tubes at your exact diameter specification I think, then you could entertain an internal lighting solution.  If you had an inner tube for water delivery and then an outer tube where your lighting solution sits all surrounded by your glass vase. Ideas...

[Mathiacus]

I seem to be making all of mine in fish tanks with elevated false floors. the "waste space" behind the block is a standing pool of water that hydrates the block quite well.

[PTAntFan]

have any pictures? Intrigued by the elevated floor concept.