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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

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75 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 muscipula (fly trap), Sarracenia x 'Fiona' ( American Pitcher plant), Nepenthese ventrata (Tropical Pitcher plant), and Pinguicula agnata x emarginata (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

 

Myrmecocystus depilis

 

#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.

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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.

#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 muscipula (fly trap), Sarracenia x 'Fiona' ( American Pitcher plant), Nepenthese ventrata (Tropical Pitcher plant), and Pinguicula agnata x emarginata (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

 

Myrmecocystus depilis

 

#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
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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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