174 replies to this topic

[Herdo]

Yes, it's kind of a non-standard size.  One is .5 inch, the other is 5 mm.  In a future version months or so from now, I may make the smaller hole bigger, like 1/4 inch.

 

 

Well the queen I just caught has already started laying eggs.  She is pretty tiny herself so I figure her workers will fit just fine.  I'm just making sure she gets a good head start and then I'm buying one for sure.

[Tspivey16]

What are your thoughts on heating element(such as cable) integrations into a formicarium?

[PTAntFan]

Great question. I second.

[drtrmiller]

Minor update:

 

 

GroTube XL nest version 2.2 is coming.  

 

Because this is a very minor update, units stocked at Amazon will be commingled with version 2.1 and sold under the same SKUs.

• Adds tapped holes on the bottom to secure the nest riser to the nest
• Hydration holes on the inside walls of the nest have also been made larger
• Nests use 15% less plastic material
• Increased production capacity by 25%
• Slightly improved surface finish

 

 

What are your thoughts on heating element(such as cable) integrations into a formicarium?

 

Excerpt from the "Live Chat with Mikey Bustos:"

 

Mar 16 2015, 8:59 PM      Mercutia              i like the heating tunnels

Mar 16 2015, 8:59 PM      Mercutia              that's something i never would have thought of

Mar 16 2015, 8:59 PM      drtrmiller            merc when you heat underneath, what do you think is going to happen to...all of the front glass?

Mar 16 2015, 8:59 PM      drtrmiller            basically, you'll get water droplets that will rain on the ants

Mar 16 2015, 8:59 PM      Mercutia              lol

Mar 16 2015, 8:59 PM      Mercutia              i know i know

Mar 16 2015, 9:00 PM      Mercutia              still like the idea

 

 

 

Before the AC "Hybrid Nest" release, their company repositioned the heating tunnels to the side of the formicarium.

 

This is still not ideal.  Thermoplastics like HIPS and ABS are not designed to come into direct and prolonged contact with heating cables, as this will warp and crack the plastic over time.  It also still does not solve the issue of condensation, as the top of the glass/acrylic remains unheated and highly susceptible to condensation.

 

I've brainstormed with a few members here regarding future innovations in the way of heating that involve heating the top of the glass/acrylic only, similar to an automobile defroster grid or air louvre system.

 

It has always been my intent to cover the basics before exploring more experimental concepts.  Since the current design has proven solid in terms of creating a satisfactory environment for many species of ants, I'll soon start to work on things like heating, lighting, and feeding system enhancements.

Edited by drtrmiller, July 7 2015 - 12:31 PM.

[PTAntFan]

My vote is prioritize feeding systems. I'd like to go on vacation and not worry.

[Tspivey16]

Another question- the loop video on the web seems to show an open air lid concept, but the option pictorial shows a slotted lid. Does it come with both options?

[drtrmiller]

NEW Configuration:

 

Introducing the GroTube XXL.  Same size, same price, now with more room to accommodate larger ant species.

 

Compare:

 

GroTube XL:

 

NEW GroTube XXL:

 

The goal is to offer these as a free trade-in for current GroTube owners.  More details to be announced, probably in a few weeks after additional testing and refinement.  You can tell from the picture that I haven't fully moved this colony of Camponotus pennsylvanicus into the nest.

 

 

 

Another question- the loop video on the web seems to show an open air lid concept, but the option pictorial shows a slotted lid. Does it come with both options?

 

Two lids are included with each GlassBox transition arena, and they work together and serve different functions.

 

The bottom-most lid is lined with Fluon or another deterrent underneath.  This way, the sides of the foraging area may remain clear and free of the milky-white deterrent.  Further, the deterrent lid may be quickly swapped if it starts to perform poorly, as opposed to evacuating all the ants from the arena, cleaning out the foraging area, and reapplying deterrent.

 

The top-most lid, not pictured in the video, acts as a physical barrier.  This second lid is used for emergencies, transport, or for ants that are able to escape the Fluon-lined lid.  An open-air foraging area with plenty of ventilation is the default use case.

 

The lid design has not been 100% finalized.  I'm trying to make them very dummy proof, made for ants, durable, and cost effective.

Edited by drtrmiller, July 11 2015 - 8:32 AM.

[Ants4fun]

Nice. I have been keeping my Camponotus in the Grotube XL, and they love it! Can't wait to upgrade to this.

How large is the small hole?

Edited by Ants4fun, July 11 2015 - 8:34 AM.

[john.harrold]

It looks like the water reservoirs in the XXL are significantly smaller than those in there XL. If the colony you're currently moving in was previously in the XL can you comment on how frequently you have to refill the XL vs the XXL for that colony?

Edited by john.harrold, July 11 2015 - 3:00 PM.

[drtrmiller]

How large is the small hole?

 

Everything is the same size.  12-13 mm for the big hole, and 5 mm for the small hole.  The big hole fits 1/2" OD tubing, but I'm not sure what standard US tubing size fits in the small hole—it will need to be less than 1/4" OD.

 

It looks like the water reservoirs in the XXL are significantly smaller than those in there XL. If the colony you're currently moving in was previously in the XL can you comment on how frequently you have to refill the XL vs the XXL for that colony?

 

The GTXL reservoirs are too large and are a carry-over from version 1.

 

Sometimes it is really dry, and I make the mistake of adding 3-5 ml of water, even though I always tell my customers to only add 1-2 ml of water at a time, and I regret this when I inadvertently create swamp-like conditions and the ants become rather displeased for a few days until the excess evaporates.

 

I should make a change in the future that only allows the reservoirs to hold 1-2 ml of water at a time, or else find a way to release the water in such a way that overwatering is impossible.

Edited by drtrmiller, July 11 2015 - 4:59 PM.

[Herdo]

drtrmiller, on 11 Jul 2015 - 5:58 PM, said:

 

It's 3/16".  I have some fairly squishy 3/16" OD tubing that fits snug.  If the 3/16" OD tubing is more rigid you may have to sand a bit off to get it to fit, but it still shouldn't be much of a problem.

[drtrmiller]

Thanks for that!

 

3/16" is 4.76 mm, so that sounds about right.

 

The hole is not perfectly round, and may vary in size depending on the material, as some materials shrink more than others (+- 1% total mass).

[dspdrew]

...or else find a way to release the water in such a way that overwatering is impossible.

 

Now you're talking. Then you can give it a five gallon tank.

[Ants4fun]

Question, when will the foraging area be available separate?

[drtrmiller]

If all goes as planned and the boxes are cut this Friday, they should be on Amazon with Prime shipping in a few weeks in various sizes and themes.

[drtrmiller]

Version 2.4 is coming!

 

 

Changelog:

• V2.2 -
  • Screw holes on bottom to anchor riser for attachment to GlassBox transition arena.
  • New type of plaster absorbs water quickly and more evenly.
• V2.3 -
  • Improved hydration system.  Hydration now occurs from underneath rather than through the sides of the reservoirs.
  • Middle chamber is now larger.
• V2.4 -
  • Increased reservoir capacity underneath nest for 300% longer times between refills.
  • Decreased height of side vents for better escape prevention.
  • Added additional side vents.

 

 

Limited quantity of sub V2.4 units will be offered at a special price in the coming days.

 

Will offer V2.4 as a special trade in for existing customers.  Details to be announced.

[Mdrogun]

I normally don't like 3D printed formicariums but this looks pretty good

[Ants4fun]

is version 2.4 and the grotube xxl the same thing? 

[drtrmiller]

No. Version number denotes feature changes affecting all variations.

Edited by drtrmiller, July 30 2015 - 6:46 PM.

[BugFinder]

I look forward to it!

 

Me too!  I'm drooling over the description and price of it!!

I look forward to it!

 

Me too!  I'm drooling over the description and price of it!!