37 replies to this topic

[Tspivey16]

Does anyone know if the AntsCanada Hybrid nest glass front is removable?

 

Anyone have any first reviews yet?

[BugFinder]

I'll let you know when I get mine...    If I can get mine....

Edited by BugFinder, June 17 2015 - 9:59 AM.

[AntsNY]

AntsNY: What is the size of your small and large CAMPONOTUS Hybrid Nests? Can they be opened to clean if the colony moves out? Thanks!

 

AntsCanada: the size is 4"×4" and 6"x6" respectively. Yes, if you do not glue the glass they can be opened and cleaned after use.

 

AntsNY: Will the glass stay on if I do not glue it? I have a C. pen Queen with brood..

 

AntsCanada: yes, it is heavy and there is a rim around the formicarium which keeps it in place. For small ants glue would be required.

Edited by AntsNY, June 17 2015 - 4:27 PM.

[Tspivey16]

Too bad it has to be glued for small ants.......Personally if spending that much I would want to be able to get into the nest after moving colonies for cleaning.

[dean_k]

I received it today. Yes, it's just a piece of glass sitting on top of the nest. The glass thickness is about 0.5cm. It shouldn't be hard to glue it down with aquarium silicone.

Edited by dean_k, June 18 2015 - 10:10 AM.

[dspdrew]

The glass lid is 0.5 mm ??

[dean_k]

Sorry, meant to say 0.5cm

[AntsNY]

I received mine today finally, it took 13 days to get here, It is totally defective.

 

One entrance is heat bowed from production pushing the glass up so the lid is not flush and lets in light.

 

The water covers are cut improperly and do not stay in place they just loosely hover on the sides and fall off.

 

I recorded a video review of it and am uploading it now to show Mikey.

 

I am not sure if it would be in poor taste to post it here.

 

I will see what he says.

[AntsNY]

Dean, do your water reservoir lids fit?

[dean_k]

Dean, do your water reservoir lids fit?

 

Mine came in a perfect condition. Everything fits and everything appears to be alright. I will be making a review of my own.

[dspdrew]

 

Dean, do your water reservoir lids fit?

 

Mine came in a perfect condition. Everything fits and everything appears to be alright. I will be making a review of my own.

 

 

Can't wait to see it.

[dean_k]

Here is my initial review on it.

=====================================================

 

Today, my Ants Canada Hybrid nest small Formica sp has arrived.

 

 

Above is what you will receive when you order it from them.

 

 

 

The white layers of cotton goes into the lower part of the nest where it will be kept moist. You can add water in either of the side.

 

 

 

 

Once you open its lid, you see a fitting square piece of glass that is about 0.5cm in thickness. The edges aren't smoothed for likely cost-saving measure which I can certainly understand. But the edges are really, really, sharp. You can very easily cut your skin.
I believe AntsCanada claims to ship a fair amount of these to children. If so, these sharp edges need to be smoothed out.

 

 

 

The nest is 3D printer cut and supposedly optimized for formica species.

 

 

 

It has a hole on each side where you may add tubes to connect it to outworld or to a test tube to transfer a colony over. For Formica species, this small nest should be enough for a long time. I can see hundreds of ants living cozily inside.

 

 

 

The bottom has a mesh glued. From the way I feel it, I believe it's aquarium silicone sealant and I believe the mesh is steel or at least metal.

 

 

 

There aren't much for me to say about this since I haven't actually used it yet. However, I would like to point out that the sharp edges of the glass is very alarming. Granted, I am not going to be touching it very often. In fact, I don't see touching the glass ever once I get a colony settled in. But it is still very possible to get skin cuts from its sharp edges.

Furthermore, not having an outworld included is a thumb down in my opinion. AntsCanada claims it's easier for us to make our own outworlds and that may be true to some. For me though, I'd like to have a formicarium that has its outworld built together. My desire for this is simple. I want my setups to look simplier, thus making the whole setup easier to manage.

When you have only a colony or two, having a separated outworld may not be a big deal. But when you have a lot of colonies, you want your setup to be simple and easier to relocate at will.

Below is my current setup. And one colony is in hibernation.

 

 

I do not certainly want to have separated outworlds for each of them. It'd create a huge mess . Not only that it will create a maintenance nightmare. Additionally, tube outworld setups are also more accident prone. What if I accidentally knock a tube out? What if a tube gets loose and ants plan their greatest escape?

 

 

I have reviews on different formicariums @ http://antjournals.c...icarium-reviews

[dspdrew]

I'm a little shocked that he doesn't have the edges of the glass finished to be honest. At least it's probably not something you're going to be touching the sides of very often.

[AntsNY]

Nice, I wish mine looked like that.

 

Mikey told me it is defective and will mail me another in a week.

 

He requested I return it and he will pay my shipping for the return.

[dean_k]

Nice, I wish mine looked like that.

 

Mikey told me it is defective and will mail me another in a week.

 

He requested I return it and he will pay my shipping for the return.

 

It would have been nice to get a working unit on the first go but it's life. Stuff happen.

[BugFinder]

I received mine today finally, it took 13 days to get here, It is totally defective.

 

One entrance is heat bowed from production pushing the glass up so the lid is not flush and lets in light.

 

The water covers are cut improperly and do not stay in place they just loosely hover on the sides and fall off.

 

I recorded a video review of it and am uploading it now to show Mikey.

 

I am not sure if it would be in poor taste to post it here.

 

I will see what he says.

 

Please post it.

[BugFinder]

Nice, I wish mine looked like that.

 

Mikey told me it is defective and will mail me another in a week.

 

He requested I return it and he will pay my shipping for the return.

 I'm glad to hear that.  That's real good to hear.

[AntsNY]

My defective nest would not justify a review for a proper working product.

 

He said I have to wait another week before he ships the replacement.

 

I asked Mikey if he can ship it any sooner since I needed it fast and had to wait 2 weeks already.

 

We will see where the customer support is from there. I am so far not very happy but like Dean said, ** happens.

Edited by AntsNY, June 18 2015 - 8:05 PM.

[BugFinder]

My defective nest would not justify a review for a proper working product.

 

I asked Mikey if he can ship it any sooner since I needed it fast and had to wait 2 weeks already. He wants me to wait another week before he ships the new one.

 

We will see where the customer support is from there. I am so far not very happy but like Dean said, ** happens.

 

that's really unfortunate, I'm sorry to hear that was his response.  I hope you're able to get it soon.

[AntsNY]

He initially told me I had to wait a week before he shipped the replacement, I asked him if there is any way to ship it sooner. I am waiting on his response.

 

I edited my previous post in case my wording was confusing. 

Edited by AntsNY, June 18 2015 - 8:06 PM.