52 replies to this topic

[ANTdrew]

I have not.

[westhollywoodant]

I have not.

 

How long did you use it? Why did you stop using it?

Edited by westhollywoodant, June 23 2022 - 6:47 AM.

[ANTdrew]

Hydrating is the issue. It’s a big guessing game. It is much better to learn how to make mesh covered water towers.

[westhollywoodant]

I already have made those, that’s easy 😎🤙🏼
So how long did you use your firebrick formicarium?
What species did you keep in it drew?

[ANTdrew]

I kept a Camponotus chromaiodes colony in one for about six weeks.

[westhollywoodant]

Oh ok. And they didn’t do well in it? You had deaths?

[ANTdrew]

They freaked out every time I watered the thing and chose to live in the outworld. I said, screw it, and move them into a THA mini-hearth. I have a journal on here about it somewhere.

[westhollywoodant]

Oh dang. Ok interesting and good to know. I will update with my results working with it 🙏🏼🙏🏼

[UtahAnts]

This thread is couple years old so curious, have you guys had any long term success with a firebrick formicarium? 

 

I've made a couple over the years from K-23 and most ants just simply prefer other materials. I've kept Crematogaster and Formica species in Firebrick, and both colonies did better in other formicaria. As the ants live in the nest, silica dust (which is harmful to the workers and certain stages of brood development) will accumulate, eventually leading to a sluggish colony with no brood. The low humidity of the material is also another factor contributing to low brood development. 

 

I would also advise against soaking the brick with a live colony inside to hydrate the nest. Any water in the brick will be saturated with the aforementioned silica particles, which will harm or even kill the workers who drink the water. Because of this, I would recommend a water tower over direct hydration for FireBrick. Providing additional water sources in the outworld may allow species who don't chew the nest up to be kept long term in K-23 FireBrick.

 

One possible solution to the loose silica dust would be to coat the interior of the firebrick chambers with grout or something similar in order to limit direct exposure to the dust. I wish you luck with your colony. Your formicarium looks amazing!

 

Here's a guide for K-23 nests for future readers

[westhollywoodant]

Excellent information Utah Ants. I really appreciate it and noted! I will have to experiment and see what solutions I might be able to come up with. Hmmmmm 🤔🤔😎

[westhollywoodant]

I found really good results with pouring some concrete mix into the interior. The light coat should help retain water slightly better I am hoping. Going to move a Camponotus colony in soon. 

I then took it and got a square clear box and built a make shift all in one nest and outworld formicarium. 

[Roachant]

I used a firebrick Formicarium for three years for some tetramorium ants. I had no issues with them living in it and the colony grew so big they outgrew their brick so I released the colony to my backyard.
i did in fact coat the interior of the chambers with grout which may have been why it was so successful. 
i recently found a few tetramorium queens so I may be trying that nest again.

To hydrate it I simply added water to the outside of the brick on one side, the brick wicked up the water and I stopped until the grout one one side of the nest started to darken. I found the ants preferred to keep their brood somewhat mid way from the dry to the moist side.

i don’t recall which type of firebrick it was or what it’s made from.

[westhollywoodant]

Made another smaller built in nest formicarium. Concrete mix really working out well seems like. 

Fun builds. 

Top view and front view

This pre cut red cover fits perfectly

I broke through the chamber wall with the sponge water chamber and added a screen to allow for more moisture to be lower chamber of nest. 

Nest entrance on the side 

All in all came out pretty good for a throw together build.