293 replies to this topic

[T.C.]

I'll let you know how it works out.

[UtahAnts]

New setup for a Myrmecocystus colony - this was based on the Mini Hearth. Used perfect cast, white beach sand, magnets, an acrylic outworld and 3 sizes of tubing for varying purposes.

 

 

 

 

 

Edit - On another note here is a video update on the dome formicarium from this thread. It now houses a sizeable Myrmecocystus colony. 

 

https://youtube.com/...0?feature=share

Edited by UtahAnts, July 11 2023 - 8:49 AM.

[Ants_Dakota]

New setup for a Myrmecocystus colony - this was based on the Mini Hearth. Used perfect cast, white beach sand, magnets, an acrylic outworld and 3 sizes of tubing for varying purposes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edit - On another note here is a video update on the dome formicarium from this thread. It now houses a sizeable Myrmecocystus colony. 

 

https://youtube.com/...0?feature=share

That is absolutely amazing! Makes me wish i had a colony of those ants. The formicarium has so much visibility and so little condensation! Great contribution to the anting community!

[UtahAnts]

Newest set of formicariums made for some smaller colonies. Two of them feature the traditional sand designs, while the other six have adobe lined chambers (see the dome nest guide for more on the adobe). Each has a mesh water tower and two tubing ports.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited by UtahAnts, July 17 2023 - 8:33 AM.

[ANTdrew]

Amazing. I tried coating some chambers with adobe, and it literally looked like smeared poop. I promptly gave up.

[UtahAnts]

Haha I know how that is. Here's my first adobe nest from 2 or three years ago. Over time I found the best variables of consistency to be the amount of sand and water in the mix. The color of the adobe is also noticeably darker when wet.

 

 

 

[UtahAnts]

Here's a 5x7 inch red sand formicarium made for harvester ants. The chambers each have varying degrees of humidity for seeds, brood, etc.

 

Video -  https://www.youtube....rts/SFfG0jAig8Y

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edit: here's a look at the process - 

 

Edited by UtahAnts, July 25 2023 - 2:17 PM.

[ANTdrew]

I love it!

[UtahAnts]

Here's a couple small formicarium setups for some Tetramorium colonies. One of the last images below shows the mold used for future reference.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edit - Here's a couple more angles: https://www.youtube....rts/Vc6gNjtyWc8

Edited by UtahAnts, July 25 2023 - 2:19 PM.

[UtahAnts]

A 5x7 inch horizontal formicarium made for a large Pheidole colony. Used fine white sand for the chambers and included an image of the mold design below. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additionally here is a very simple petri formicarium that works great for small species. When I first started making formicaria these were my go-to for monomorium sp. (see last pic)

 

 

 

 

Edited by UtahAnts, July 25 2023 - 2:22 PM.

[ANTdrew]

How do you get such precision with wet sand??

[Locness]

He's also known as "The Sandman."

[UtahAnts]

How do you get such precision with wet sand??

 

I use a flat end bamboo skewer to smooth the edges down followed by a very slow pour.

[ANTdrew]

How do you get such precision with wet sand??

I use a flat end bamboo skewer to smooth the edges down followed by a very slow pour.

Does the type of sand matter for getting smoother edges? Also what consistency should the Perfect Cast be when molding with sand?

[Full_Frontal_Yeti]

And along with sand type used, could you tell me a bit about your mold building?

I see it is on the top glass. Use of sand and watertowers i've got a grip on, but not the mold creation.

 

What are doing to keep the plywood sides form leaking between the wood walls and glass bottom?

And how are you keeping the plywood walls from leaking between each other?

 

I'd been hoping to find a mold to use but the more i research the more it looks like making your own mold is the way to go.

Also i see a wide swing range on thickness of the pour mix. Anywhere from near water to near pudding.
What's your method?

 

 

Thanks for any time and attention you can give,
FFY

Edited by Full_Frontal_Yeti, July 26 2023 - 8:40 AM.

[UtahAnts]

Antdrew, the size of the sand grains doesn't effect much, but I've found that smaller grains do stay embedded longer. I like to use fine sand or the eqivalent of sifted play sand.

 

Consistency depends on how wet your sand is. The drier your sand the wetter the mix should probably be and vice versa. Generally you want to be somewhere around the consistency of syrup. As a simple test, I allow some casting mix to run off whatever I'm stirring with. If the mix drips off, add more dry mix. If the mix has a hard time falling off, add more water.

 

FFY, if cut correctly, the plywood will be flush against the galss. You can plug any minute holes with clay. Some of the images show part of the clamps I use, notice the black bars. I use two quick grip clamps to tighten everything together.

 

I have used plastic containers in the past which have their own strengths, but most containers have set dimensions making them difficult to customize.

[UtahAnts]

Here's an all-in-one formicarium made for a formica colony. The nest section is completely removable, and the outworld base is made with loose sand. The nest chambers are adobe coated, with one water reservoir for humidity. Two entrance holes lead to the inside of the nest, and the chambers are separated into two groups. The smaller side of the nest including the water tower can be separated from the larger side by a tubing plug (see image), allowing the colony to expand with growth which is especially important for Formica colonies in particular as they tend to stow trash.

 

Video - https://www.youtube....rts/tl31BpF1Uz0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Plug port for tubing to serve as nest expansion. Once removed, this could be used for ventilation or an attached water source.

 

 

 

 

Floor-level water tower for increased visibility.

 

 

[ANTdrew]

Old school cool! Did you mold with clay?

[UtahAnts]

Yes, clay mold and then coated the chambers after the initial pour.

[UtahAnts]

Newest custom formicarium for Camponotus, nest dimensions approx. 4x2x2 inches with an acrylic outworld on top. I used a flat mold on a pane of glass to cast the nest block. The two tall chambers should allow for great visibility, and I tried making a large humidity gradient for the pupae with a chamber separate from the water reservoir.