174 replies to this topic

[drtrmiller]

I accidentally made a large desert diorama with a stick/wood piece that was placed too close to the lid, making it unsuitable for larger ants.  So I decided I would keep this one and use surplus/damaged materials to finish it.  I'm also testing the latest GroTube version—another announcement regarding this will be made soon.

 

The SimpliFeed liquid feeders that fit into the back holes are not yet finished, so I'm using a standard Mercury liquid feeder for now.

 

 

Pin bugs down to the stump to keep ants from hauling the whole piece back to the nest.

 

Mercury liquid feeder accommodates both large and small ants with a mesh that is positioned to prevent substrate from being adhered to the grid.

 

 

Reserve yours today at http://grotube.byformica.com

Edited by drtrmiller, August 11 2015 - 8:37 AM.

[Silence]

These things are just getting better and better... if this keeps up I'll feel I've ordered too soon

Edited by Silence, August 13 2015 - 2:34 AM.

[drtrmiller]

Nope, nobody ordered too soon. All orders are delayed so only the highest quality boxes go out, and early adopters who already received (or who have pending orders for) GroTubes are getting the latest major version of GroTube, free with their box purchase.

[William. T]

When is the next update on these nests?  

[drtrmiller]

When is the next update on these nests?  

 

GroTube XL, the second version of the GroTube formicarium, focused on an increase in capacity—thus the XL (extra large) name designation. The next evolution of the GroTube product focuses on hydration and security, and thus bears the "HS" designation. The GroTube HS is the next version of GroTube.

 

I'm running tests right now and will show it off when it's ready.  I hope to have something to show within a few days.

[drtrmiller]

Here is a quick summary of major changes to the new GroTube HS.  Everything shipping now is GroTube HS, and some orders include a free upgrade to the HS (for those who already have received the XL), per the byFormica upgrade policy.

 

Edited by drtrmiller, August 15 2015 - 6:18 PM.

[ctantkeeper]

i checked your website to see if i am legible or not, but i forgot whether or not i paid for my gro tube XL. i definitely paid for my glass box though

[john.harrold]

Since you mentioned the GroTube HS earlier, I was initially going to wait to get the GlassBox Arena. But I decided to go ahead and get one after I saw the photos. I'm glad we'll be getting the newer version of the GroTube as well. 

 

I have a question about the changes to the hydration aspect. I think I've read that the current GroTube will overflow into the main chamber if I were to add too much water. I was wondering if you included any overflow pathways to prevent flooding of the main chamber if too much water were added? Like a relief pathway that leaks to the outside if the level in the grow tube gets to the level of the chamber floor. 

[PTAntFan]

I have two white housings and I am in need of a third for my Solenopsis Truncorum.  They are tiny!  Color recommendation for visibility? I'm a bit tired of white, but may go with a third for them.  What about Glassbox?  I am looking forward to my desert but really love what you've done with the Woodlands.  I think they'd just disappear in there, huh?

[PTAntFan]

Hey John,

 

I don't think you need to worry about overflow.  Terry provides pipettes for filling that do not suck up and then dispense enough water to overflow the hydration chambers.  I suppose if you used your own it could happen, but why would you?  The system works perfectly well out of the box, or OOB as we say in the tech industry.

[drtrmiller]

Since you mentioned the GroTube HS earlier, I was initially going to wait to get the GlassBox Arena. But I decided to go ahead and get one after I saw the photos. I'm glad we'll be getting the newer version of the GroTube as well. 

 

I have a question about the changes to the hydration aspect. I think I've read that the current GroTube will overflow into the main chamber if I were to add too much water. I was wondering if you included any overflow pathways to prevent flooding of the main chamber if too much water were added? Like a relief pathway that leaks to the outside if the level in the grow tube gets to the level of the chamber floor. 

 

That's a very good recommendation.  However, you'd be limited in terms of capacity, and I like the small bump in capacity by having the water table to be elevated above the chamber floor—provided it can be done smart—which is the goal of the new design.

 

Here is a test I've been running all day, using just the wood disc on top of the water transfer material:

 

 

You can see that it is glistening, but there is no water pooling.  Before I added the wood discs for resistance, the water would pool into a convex bead on top of the plaster!

 

Here is an earlier test version that I did over a week ago, and it is still flooded from the first watering:

 

 

I think the wood chip as a semi-porous stopper, combined with mesh on top because the wood chip may be too moist for many ants, and perhaps some preservatives in the wood chip to completely prevent mold, may be a winning combination.  

 

The goal will be to allow users to completely fill the reservoirs, if desired, so they may go longer between waterings, with no fear of overwatering.

Edited by drtrmiller, August 15 2015 - 9:05 PM.

[drtrmiller]

I have two white housings and I am in need of a third for my Solenopsis Truncorum.  They are tiny!  Color recommendation for visibility? I'm a bit tired of white, but may go with a third for them.  What about Glassbox?  I am looking forward to my desert but really love what you've done with the Woodlands.  I think they'd just disappear in there, huh?

 

You're getting a free nest upgrade with your box!  The box is finished, but I'm just waiting to finalize the nest design before it ships.  

 

I like the khaki nest color, which allows good contrast for both ants and brood.  The darker woodlands theme will be much nicer when I complete an overhead lighting upgrade in a few months, so either style works.

[john.harrold]

Hey John,

 

I don't think you need to worry about overflow.  Terry provides pipettes for filling that do not suck up and then dispense enough water to overflow the hydration chambers.  I suppose if you used your own it could happen, but why would you?  The system works perfectly well out of the box, or OOB as we say in the tech industry.

 

I was thinking more about refilling and not knowing how much was already in the reservoir. I've only read about the GroTube, so I don't have any first hand experience. Perhaps I was being overly paranoid .

 

From the images Terry posted, it looks like the wooden disk he is using provides enough resistance to prevent flooding. I'm really excited about the GroTube/GlassBox setup.  

[john.harrold]

I like the khaki nest color, which allows good contrast for both ants and brood.  The darker woodlands theme will be much nicer when I complete an overhead lighting upgrade in a few months, so either style works.

 

I ordered the khaki nest color for this very reason.

[drtrmiller]

Hopefully the final stages of testing have begun.

 

[drtrmiller]

Fire ants are among the best to test ant products because they are so destructive.  They decided to relocate one of the mesh discs:

 

 

I'll have to implement a way to secure them in place.

[dspdrew]

They decided to relocate one of the mesh discs:

 

[LC3]

Trichomyrmex destructor anyone?

 

Edit: Done grammaring 

Edited by LC3, August 16 2015 - 1:20 PM.

[drtrmiller]

I'd love to use Trichomyrmex to stress test these products.

 

In the meantime, I gassed my ants with canned air and removed the stray mesh.  I had used two layers of mesh for this one, and the other is more strongly adhered to the wood by a light film of water.

Edited by drtrmiller, August 16 2015 - 1:24 PM.

[PTAntFan]

How is the seal at the reservoir towers?  My Truncorum are so tiny I'd be concerned with drownings in the new design.