15 replies to this topic

[ZTYguy]

I have this new nest that is being sold in my shop. I want feed back on the design, not this product itself. Thanks

 

-ZTY

 

 

It can fit small-tiny and even some medium species.

Edited by ZTYguy, November 20 2020 - 6:30 PM.

[Swirlysnowflake]

ok so, i’m sorry, but i honestly wouldn’t buy this. i absolutely love the design, the nest looks amazing

but

the mold and the yellowing just throws me off. maybe you could use a different material for the nest building like grout or hydrostone or something.

if the mold and stuff wasn’t there, i’d buy it for 6-9 dollars

[ZTYguy]

Cool just looking for feed back on the design.

[dspdrew]

That looks like its in one of the cups you get from Panera Bread.

[ZTYguy]

That looks like its in one of the cups you get from Panera Bread.

Probably is. I had a friend buy the cups so who knows.

[ZTYguy]

Oh and by the way, I tested the same plaster which had the same black dots with a mexicanus colony. For more info visit my shop. There is a whole conversation on it. https://www.formicul...op/#entry169639

[SleepyAsianAnter]

So you founded mexicanus in there? Impressive, maybe it's better than we thought. How are they doing in there? Any repletes yet?

[FSTP]

I'm going to be brutally honest. This isn't something I'd consider a product to be sold. It basically looks like someone took a used fast food cup intended for single use and used it to practice pouring plaster. I'm sure it works fine as ants typically don't care what the formicarium looks like as long as it provides what they need. But as far as a product designed to be sold to other ant keepers? I don't see it. If I'm going to be buying a formicarium its going to have to be something that I can't do myself. not something I could whip up in ten minutes with some leftover fast food cups and a few ounces of plaster. My advice is to keep making formicarium and refining your designs until you have a design that looks a bit more presentable. 

Edited by FSTP, November 20 2020 - 7:32 PM.

[ANTdrew]

I'm going to be brutally honest. This isn't something I'd consider a product to be sold. It basically looks like someone took a used fast food cup intended for single use and used it to practice pouring plaster. I'm sure it works fine as ants typically don't care what the formicarium looks like as long as it provides what they need. But as far as a product designed to be sold to other ant keepers? I don't see it. If I'm going to be buying a formicarium its going to have to be something that I can't do myself. not something I could whip up in ten minutes with some leftover fast food cups and a few ounces of plaster. My advice is to keep making formicarium and refining your designs until you have a design that looks a bit more presentable.

Preach!

[Swirlysnowflake]

I'm going to be brutally honest. This isn't something I'd consider a product to be sold. It basically looks like someone took a used fast food cup intended for single use and used it to practice pouring plaster. I'm sure it works fine as ants typically don't care what the formicarium looks like as long as it provides what they need. But as far as a product designed to be sold to other ant keepers? I don't see it. If I'm going to be buying a formicarium its going to have to be something that I can't do myself. not something I could whip up in ten minutes with some leftover fast food cups and a few ounces of plaster. My advice is to keep making formicarium and refining your designs until you have a design that looks a bit more presentable. 

yes, even just using a different container to put the plaster in (the container store would be perfect for that) would make the product look a lot nicer.

but i do like the concept, and the actual shape of the chambers looks nice. 

 

Also, i have found plaster to be one of the least mold resistant nest building materials. it molds incredibly easily, and very quickly. 

Edited by Swirlysnowflake, November 20 2020 - 7:47 PM.

[ZTYguy]

Thanks for all the feed back and I will be working to refine the formicarium. Thanks everyone (and that was pretty brutal FSTP but thanks). 

[Ants_Dakota]

remember, hydrostone "sweats" or releases a yellow substance over time. it does not hurt the ants.

[M_Ants]

The visual/aesthetic issues people have with the formicarium only happened to me when I made a formicarium and tried hydrating it/putting ants in it too soon. 

Edited by M_Ants, November 21 2020 - 8:56 AM.

[OhNoNotAgain]

You also need some better pics and maybe describe the good points better.

What's the top like? What's ventilation and escape-proofing like?

Can the nest be removed and cleaned and reused?

How do founding rates compare to test tube?

I could see kids buying it for a few bucks maybe as an add-on, or along with a queen or small founding colony. But with shipping and stuff, I would not order it by itself.

 

I HAVE seen similar ... for a pretty high price....

 

Here, found it:

https://www.etsy.com...-ant-habitatant

 

Looks like they've updated it a bit with color. I guess that helps.

Edited by OhNoNotAgain, November 22 2020 - 12:14 PM.

[OhNoNotAgain]

Basically if you make something really pretty and professional-looking, with great photos and a good sales pitch, you could probably sell anything....

[ZTYguy]

Thanks for the advice.