14 replies to this topic

[TheGreatAlate]

https://youtu.be/_cza88nAM_I

 

Cool guide I found on making your own DIY formicarium out of a gypsum medium

[antsriondel]

Triple-post.

[TheGreatAlate]

Triple-post.

Ya that's rare lol

[Zeiss]

You just need to click "Post" once. 

Also thanks for sharing the video you found.

[TheGreatAlate]

You just need to click "Post" once. 

Also thanks for sharing the video you found.

Thanks for the help, still learning

[T.C.]

His process of doing isn't most ideal in my opinion, but it looks good. 

[rptraut]

I have used grout to make formicaria in much the same way with one addition.  I use equal amounts by volume of grout and vermiculite plus enough water to make a stiff mix.  First, I mix the grout to a slurry consistency and then add the vermiculite.  It will absorb water from the mix, so additional water sometimes has to be added to get the consistency I want.  I have read in many sources that perlite should be added to grout to aid moisture holding but vermiculite is a better alternative.  Perlite is a potting soil additive that aids in aeration, it floats on water like a styrofoam ball.  Vermiculite is like an old deck of cards with many layers that hold air and water.  I use fine grade horticultural vermiculite which should be available at any gardening center and coloured tile grout from the hardware store.  

 

When wet, this mixture is fairly thick, so it must be agitated when filling in around small spaces as it will not flow easily, but because it is so thick it doesn't break out of molds very easily and it can be molded into shapes that aren't possible with a more watery mixture.  The one big advantage to this mix is that in a formicarium it holds water and is able to provide a moisture gradient in the nest.   It also makes a softer compound when it's hardened that some of my ants have been able to remove and increase their chamber size when necessary.  Try adding some vermiculite to your grout or gypsum and take advantage of the benefits to your ants.

 

I recently built this formicarium using a mixture of tile grout and vermiculite.   I'll post the build photos in the Formicarium section.

 

 

 

[TheGreatAlate]

His process of doing isn't most ideal in my opinion, but it looks good. 

I’m curious what an ideal way is to you because I’m likely going to try my hand at DIY formicariums in the future and would be interested what makes a process better and different processes.

[rptraut]

Tonight, I will post the build photos of how I made this formicarium.  It may seem like a lot of pictures, but each one is a step in the process.  Although it is a founding formicarium for a small colony fresh out of the test tube, (ie small), the principles are the same whether you are making a large or small formicarium.  The beauty of this method is that you can make as many chambers and tunnels as you want, and they can be modified however you want before you put it all together.  I would recommend that everyone should try to make at least one formicarium of your own.  I find it is the only way to get all the features that I think are important for the ants and to make it easy for me to care for them.  I have posted pictures of other formicaria that I have made in the Formicaria and Outworlds section.  Each has its' advantages and disadvantages which I have outlined in the text.  Winter is a great time to evaluate and build all the formicaria that your colonies are going to need in the next season.  Good Luck

[Flu1d]

Tonight, I will post the build photos of how I made this formicarium. It may seem like a lot of pictures, but each one is a step in the process. Although it is a founding formicarium for a small colony fresh out of the test tube, (ie small), the principles are the same whether you are making a large or small formicarium. The beauty of this method is that you can make as many chambers and tunnels as you want, and they can be modified however you want before you put it all together. I would recommend that everyone should try to make at least one formicarium of your own. I find it is the only way to get all the features that I think are important for the ants and to make it easy for me to care for them. I have posted pictures of other formicaria that I have made in the Formicaria and Outworlds section. Each has its' advantages and disadvantages which I have outlined in the text. Winter is a great time to evaluate and build all the formicaria that your colonies are going to need in the next season. Good Luck

I, personally, very much look forward to this.

[TheGreatAlate]

Tonight, I will post the build photos of how I made this formicarium.  It may seem like a lot of pictures, but each one is a step in the process.  Although it is a founding formicarium for a small colony fresh out of the test tube, (ie small), the principles are the same whether you are making a large or small formicarium.  The beauty of this method is that you can make as many chambers and tunnels as you want, and they can be modified however you want before you put it all together.  I would recommend that everyone should try to make at least one formicarium of your own.  I find it is the only way to get all the features that I think are important for the ants and to make it easy for me to care for them.  I have posted pictures of other formicaria that I have made in the Formicaria and Outworlds section.  Each has its' advantages and disadvantages which I have outlined in the text.  Winter is a great time to evaluate and build all the formicaria that your colonies are going to need in the next season.  Good Luck

This sounds pretty interesting, keep me updated.

 

 

Tonight, I will post the build photos of how I made this formicarium. It may seem like a lot of pictures, but each one is a step in the process. Although it is a founding formicarium for a small colony fresh out of the test tube, (ie small), the principles are the same whether you are making a large or small formicarium. The beauty of this method is that you can make as many chambers and tunnels as you want, and they can be modified however you want before you put it all together. I would recommend that everyone should try to make at least one formicarium of your own. I find it is the only way to get all the features that I think are important for the ants and to make it easy for me to care for them. I have posted pictures of other formicaria that I have made in the Formicaria and Outworlds section. Each has its' advantages and disadvantages which I have outlined in the text. Winter is a great time to evaluate and build all the formicaria that your colonies are going to need in the next season. Good Luck

I, personally, very much look forward to this.

 

Same here, if the picture of the completed formacarium included is anything to go by…

Edited by TheGreatAlate, December 1 2022 - 8:34 PM.

[T.C.]

 

His process of doing isn't most ideal in my opinion, but it looks good. 

I’m curious what an ideal way is to you because I’m likely going to try my hand at DIY formicariums in the future and would be interested what makes a process better and different processes.

 

 

I have pics and a process. But with work and all I have no idea how long it will be before I could post it. 

Edited by T.C., December 2 2022 - 12:34 AM.

[FinWins]

That video is what taught me to make my first diy nest! 

[rptraut]

Last night I posted photos and text about two more formicaria for small colonies. They're in the Formicaria and Outworlds section. I use them to demonstate different methods of creating chambers while using a grout/vermiculite mix.

[Katla]

This is the video that made me buy some Ultracal 30, and waste 2/3 of it trying out molds technics.. Ill be there at one point.