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DIY sand/clay molded gypsum formicarium Guides

Started By kiedeerk , Jul 24 2021 12:09 PM
diy formicarium gypsum sand clay guide outworld nest

77 replies to this topic

#61 Offline Chickalo - Posted January 1 2023 - 11:45 AM

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Kiedeerk's formicarium building skills has ascended to a level beyond mortal comprehension.

 

I'm going to edit a question I just had so I don't clog up the forums:

Can Hydrocal go bad?  Like, if it goes past a certain date is it still okay to use for formicaria, or should you just buy a whole new batch entirely?


Edited by Chickalo, January 1 2023 - 12:11 PM.

シグナチャーです。예.

 

#62 Offline kiedeerk - Posted January 1 2023 - 3:47 PM

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It shouldn’t go bad really. It’s basically cement powder. Keep it somewhere dry
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#63 Offline ANTdrew - Posted January 1 2023 - 6:03 PM

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Kiedeerk's formicarium building skills has ascended to a level beyond mortal comprehension.

I'm going to edit a question I just had so I don't clog up the forums:
Can Hydrocal go bad? Like, if it goes past a certain date is it still okay to use for formicaria, or should you just buy a whole new batch entirely?

I’ve kept Hobby Lobby Perfect Cast in storage for over a year, and it works fine. Only excessive moisture would ruin it.
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"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#64 Offline Flu1d - Posted January 2 2023 - 3:40 PM

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Been busy with other things so I only really make nest when my colonies need expansions.

Made a huge formicarium with custom outworld


Based

#65 Offline ZachAnt101 - Posted September 4 2023 - 9:21 PM

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Where can I find the documents for the guides?

#66 Offline kiedeerk - Posted September 5 2023 - 2:06 AM

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Where can I find the documents for the guides?


It’s like mid page on page 2 of the thread. There is a link

#67 Offline Rrar - Posted September 7 2023 - 2:02 PM

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I like the design. Once I have time maybe I'll try


canada = boring!!!!!

I want attaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!

also: Camponotus ca02 ( probably not possible though)

#68 Offline AntsGodzilla - Posted October 3 2024 - 10:08 AM

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This is awesome! Where can I buy gypsum?


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And many Carnivorous plants such as: Dionea (fly trap), Sarracenia (American Pitcher plant), Nepenthese (Tropical Pitcher plant), Drosera, (sundew) and Pinguicula (Butterwort) (show off your plants here)

Godzilla thread

Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores it's provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. Proverbs 6: 6-8

 

#69 Offline ANTdrew - Posted October 3 2024 - 10:28 AM

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You can order hydrostone on eBay or buy Perfect Cast at Hobby Lobby; the mixes are different, but function exactly the same. A 4lb bag of Perfect Cast is $7.99 at Hobby Lobby.

Edited by ANTdrew, October 3 2024 - 12:53 PM.

  • 1tsm3jack likes this
"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#70 Offline AntsGodzilla - Posted October 3 2024 - 12:53 PM

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I have perfect cast.


 

And many Carnivorous plants such as: Dionea (fly trap), Sarracenia (American Pitcher plant), Nepenthese (Tropical Pitcher plant), Drosera, (sundew) and Pinguicula (Butterwort) (show off your plants here)

Godzilla thread

Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores it's provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. Proverbs 6: 6-8

 

#71 Offline ANTdrew - Posted October 3 2024 - 12:53 PM

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I have perfect cast.

Then you don’t need to buy gypsum.
"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#72 Offline kiedeerk - Posted October 3 2024 - 3:44 PM

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I am still a fan of ultracal and is prob the best gypsum. However it is expensive and harder to find.

#73 Offline ANTdrew - Posted October 3 2024 - 3:45 PM

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Why do you think it’s better?
"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#74 Offline kiedeerk - Posted October 3 2024 - 4:54 PM

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Why do you think it’s better?


It’s harder and it has less expansion when curing
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#75 Offline Mushu - Posted October 8 2024 - 8:30 AM

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I've never worked with perfect cast and was wondering what type of casting material it falls into.

 

I've worked with Hydro-Stone and it worked well for me. You can reference the product data here for the different gypsum cements:

https://plaster.com/...mparison-chart/

 

If you can find a clay/sculpting/pottery store locally they sell cheaper than craft stores(Michaels) and Amazon. You can get a 50 lb for the same price as a 10lb.


Edited by Mushu, October 8 2024 - 8:31 AM.

#76 Offline kiedeerk - Posted October 10 2024 - 10:40 AM

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I've never worked with perfect cast and was wondering what type of casting material it falls into.

I've worked with Hydro-Stone and it worked well for me. You can reference the product data here for the different gypsum cements:
https://plaster.com/...mparison-chart/

If you can find a clay/sculpting/pottery store locally they sell cheaper than craft stores(Michaels) and Amazon. You can get a 50 lb for the same price as a 10lb.



Perfect cast prob comparable to hydrostone. It’s a good alternative to ultracal. There aren’t many pottery shops that sells gypsum that’s unfortunate. Perfect cast is available are Michael’s and target. If you look at the expansion coefficient, ultracal only expands 0.08% which makes it good for nest making if you are using a container method because it will slide out of the container mold very easily

#77 Offline cooIboyJ - Posted September 15 2025 - 12:04 PM

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Hello Everyone

My name is Kiedeerk, some of you may have seen my post in the general market place selling my DIY formicariums.
I am also active on the ant keeping discords especially in the DIY section.
I have been keeping ants for many years and have gotten into DIY last year after finding out how expensive some of the other brand products like AntsCanada and Tarheel ants are.
I have gotten pretty good at making DIY nests. I have written some guides in the past but decided to do an overhaul and start a guide series on all the styles of formicariums
I make. I will still be selling some of my DIY formicariums for reduced prices on the general market forum for those who do not want to get into DIY. Trust me, DIY will save you hundreds/thousands of dollars if you are currently buying from the brand names above. My guides are open to public however, if you are going to share it please ask and give me credit thanks. Please reach out to me for any questions or comments or find me on discord @kiedeerk


Ok now for the actual fun part:

I will be updating this post as I make my guide series. Right now, I have made these guides below:

Please see attached word documents

Enjoy DIY

Best,
Kiedeerkants

These formicariums look very cool and I would want to make one myself (or something similar) but I don't see any guides or attached word documents. 


The ants go marching.

 

Currently keeping:

Brachymyrmex patagonicus

Nylanderia vividula

Solenopsis invicta

#78 Offline kiedeerk - Posted September 15 2025 - 5:30 PM

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Hello Everyone

My name is Kiedeerk, some of you may have seen my post in the general market place selling my DIY formicariums.
I am also active on the ant keeping discords especially in the DIY section.
I have been keeping ants for many years and have gotten into DIY last year after finding out how expensive some of the other brand products like AntsCanada and Tarheel ants are.
I have gotten pretty good at making DIY nests. I have written some guides in the past but decided to do an overhaul and start a guide series on all the styles of formicariums
I make. I will still be selling some of my DIY formicariums for reduced prices on the general market forum for those who do not want to get into DIY. Trust me, DIY will save you hundreds/thousands of dollars if you are currently buying from the brand names above. My guides are open to public however, if you are going to share it please ask and give me credit thanks. Please reach out to me for any questions or comments or find me on discord @kiedeerk


Ok now for the actual fun part:

I will be updating this post as I make my guide series. Right now, I have made these guides below:

Please see attached word documents

Enjoy DIY

Best,
Kiedeerkants

These formicariums look very cool and I would want to make one myself (or something similar) but I don't see any guides or attached word documents. 

 

 

 

its on page 2 about half way down

 

there is a link to download a zip file

 

the guides are in the zip file


Edited by kiedeerk, September 15 2025 - 5:31 PM.

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Also tagged with one or more of these keywords: diy, formicarium, gypsum, sand, clay, guide, outworld, nest

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