19 replies to this topic

[Lillyrose]

I just got this today ... I was super excited. It was much smaller than I imagined but I'm a little worried.

The glass isn't sealed onto the nest, will they be able to escape that way? The nest itself seems to move a little, will they just go and nest under it? If they do, will they escape through the bottom hydration thing?

And the side isn't glass .. will Fluon work on a texture like that? It's lots of tiny ridges, perfect for climbing.
https://www.etsy.com...t?ref=hp_opfy-3

[ZTYguy]

looks nice, if its a small species i think it will still be fine but if you keep the glass free then they might get crafty and stuff sand under the glass to lift it up. Cough cough this happened to my S. xyloni colony,

[ANTdrew]

It could possibly work fine. Seems like it would be best for larger species like Camponotus or Formica. I recommend gluing the glass in place with 100% silicone (I use Loctite brand from Home Depot), so you can have some peace of mind. Fluon will not work on that back wall, so that’s a terrible design flaw, in my opinion. If you can detach the nest part, I’d recommend making a better outworld of your own where you can use fluon all around. An oil barrier may work? Fluon is superior, though.

Edited by ANTdrew, January 26 2021 - 2:03 PM.

[ZTYguy]

i second this.

[Lillyrose]

Thanks .. I am super disappointed in that back wall .. it really messes it up ..

My main fear is I can't remove the nest but the nest like jiggles .. so my little babies are going to go under it I think. I can't seem to lift the glass, though it wiggles too ..

I just wish it hadn't cost so much .. I feel like I have to use it .. and I love the design .. but I just don't think it will work without lots of silicone.

I really don't have hundred dollars to drop on the good ones but I might need to save up for it.

I have what was supposed to be hydrostone plaster but really is just plaster... but nothing I made came out any good

[KitsAntVa]

I tried these outworlds with crematogaster let’s just say the crematogaster didn’t escape but the monomorium did... I suggest this for bigger species as well.

[ANTdrew]

I can make you a way better formicarium than that.

[Devi]

I can make you a way better formicarium than that.

I'll need to test that out this summer.  If I get an appropriate sized colony, I'll hit you up.  I don't doubt the quality at all, I'm sure it's top-notch. 

[Boog]

I like the Ant-Shack nests themselves, I’ve got a few but have only used the small nest for a Tapinoma sessile colony which has worked out well. The nest by itself has a snug cover and I didn’t need to glue mine down, but would do so for other species if needed. My ants didn’t like the nest fully hydrated with all cotton saturated so I used water sparingly but you’ll need to test out your ants. I added substrate to a diy outworld that the ants brought into the nest to make it more cozy. I’m thinking about modding future versions of these with a layer of grout and substrate.
I also got one of their large outworlds but the design doesn’t hold up well with lots of gaps that smaller ants could get through. I ended up using it as a spider enclosure instead. If you watch the Ant-Shack YouTube channel, you can see that they used clear tape to hold their outworlds together. Good nests, not so good outworlds, so I avoided the combo version.

[UtahAnts]

In my experience with ant shack, the nest does move around slightly in the container. Often the ants will go down the sides if the gap is big enough, but the ants were always fine and I had no problem. As far as the glass goes, I have best success removing it with a piece of tape along the surface and then pulling equally on both sides. I have never had problem with ants getting under the glass, including one ravenous tetramorium colony that I used to test the formicariums. Just make sure not to flood the hydration area, as I once lost a Brachymymex to this. I prefer homemade formicarium's and THA products, but I have bought other things like the liquid feeders and test tubes, which are not bad.

Edited by AntsUtah, January 26 2021 - 6:13 PM.

[MinigunL5]

From what I've heard in the past, and from what people are saying here. Ant Shack seems pretty bad.

[ANTdrew]

Can you return the thing? Get a Tarheel Ants mini-hearth.

[Scherme]

Can you return the thing? Get a Tarheel Ants mini-hearth.

As much as I am for trying out everything, they really are a quality product. I don't think I could afford to upgrade to museum glass with all the bells and whistles every time, but I am glad I am able to experience using one, even if my tetras tried to break out. 

I take a lot of inspiration from the minihearth when thinking about my own projects. 

 

Not a bad move to own one imo.

[Lillyrose]

Thanks 😊 I have lots to consider ... I xant figure out the hydration on this since the bottom doesn't seem to come off... I don't know how much access they have. I need to play with it more

[Canadant]

This is similar to the AC hybrid formicaria. I used a small dab of Elmer's white glue in the corners to hold the glass in place. Worked great and was easily able to removed the glass cover when I was done using that formicarium.

[Lillyrose]

This is similar to the AC hybrid formicaria. I used a small dab of Elmer's white glue in the corners to hold the glass in place. Worked great and was easily able to removed the glass cover when I was done using that formicarium.

That might be a good idea .. I realized it's acrylic not glass though.. did you put the glue on the outside?

[ANTdrew]

Use silicone if you go that route, trust me. Some species have no problem chewing through soft glues.

[BugFinder]

I can make you a way better formicarium than that.

 

do you have nests in stock again bud?

[Lillyrose]

Use silicone if you go that route, trust me. Some species have no problem chewing through soft glues.

Thanks

:-)

Do you have a place where you sell yours?

[ANTdrew]

I’m making some custom stuff for people on this forum. PM me if you’re intrrested.