51 replies to this topic

[klawfran3]

I am messing around with some new plans to build a hydrostone formicarium but to do so I have a few questions.

When I am casting the hydrostone, will it bond to acrylic or not? I want to be able to make the clay tunnels on the acrylic but I am afraid that it will just permanently bond with the acrylic and end up unremovable.

And second, what size tubing should be used? I know vinyl tubing seems to be the most popular, but I don't know what size would be appropriate. Would 3/4" be good?

[Crystals]

I tend to use 5/16" x 7/16" tubing for most colonies. 1/2" should be fine.  For the largest colonies of larger species I will use bigger tubing.

 

I have never played with hydrostone (mostly because I have never found it locally).  Perhaps a light layer of olive oil or a faint smear of vaseline on the acrylic before pouring the hydrostone?  Even try with just a 1/2 cup in a cardboard frame on some scrap acrylic to see how it behaves.

 

Then let us know what worked the best. 

[dspdrew]

Hydrostone absolutely will not bond with plastic. It does however, expand quite a bit, so if it is poured between two sides, it will be wedged in very tightly and probably be hard to remove.

[klawfran3]

Alright cool, thank you guys. I'll need to change up my plans a bit. Speaking of which, I want the face of my formicarium to be removable so that I can clean it afterwards, and as such i don't want to silicone it in. Could I drill holes through the acrylic and use screws/washers to screw it in to the hydrostone? Anyone have experience doing that?

Sorry about so many questions, I've only done really basic casting with plaster of paris. I haven't had the chance to work with new stuff.

Edited by klawfran3, August 21 2015 - 7:07 AM.

[dspdrew]

You can, but they will easily strip out.

[klawfran3]

What if I drill a shallow hole and lay the head of the screw in that, then seal it up with a bit of hydrostone? That way the threads are facing out and I can just slide the holes in the acrylic over and thread a washer/ nut on the end. That might work?

[Crystals]

If you drill a hole and use washers on both sides of a bolt, and a nut on the end it should hold.

[klawfran3]

But won't that lift the acrylic a bit off the hydrostone? The washer would leave a millimeter worth of space if I put one there.

[klawfran3]

Actually I think I have an idea on how to connect it removably. I got a 4" bolt, two washers, and a nut. I am going to drill a hole through the acrylic and entirely through the hydrostone, then feed the bolt in from the back with a washer so that it goes through then entire setup, then screw a smaller washer and nut on to the end to hold it in place. Let's see if it works.

 

And random idea I thought of when I went through the isles of home depot, could I use small neodymium magnets or would that not be strong enough? Like 1/2 cm magnets siliconed on the outside of the acrylic and embeded in to the face of the plaster. Could that work at all?

Edited by klawfran3, August 21 2015 - 12:24 PM.

[Crystals]

The order I meant was:  top of bolt - washer - acrylic - hydrostone - washer - nut.

Nothing between the acrylic and the hydrostone.

[klawfran3]

Oh oops. I must have misread then. That seems to be the best idea at the moment, so thank you!

 

And anyone have any opinions on the magnets?

[Ants4fun]

I believe THA uses them.

[Crystals]

I have seen magnets used before.

I refuse to use them with cats and the occasional visiting kids... 

[klawfran3]

I believe THA uses them.

Hmm... Would it be legal for me to do it then? Have they patented it at all and could I get in legal trouble if I use it?

 

And one final question, what sealant would I use on the sides to prevent water loss?

Edited by klawfran3, August 21 2015 - 4:17 PM.

[Huch]

Why not glue a handle to the acrylic?

[Miles]

 

I believe THA uses them.

Hmm... Would it be legal for me to do it then? Have they patented it at all and could I get in legal trouble if I use it?

 

And one final question, what sealant would I use on the sides to prevent water loss?

 

Tar Heel Ants does not have a patent for the use of magnets in a formicarium. 

 

If you copied their designs and sold them commercially, that would be disrespectful and could be a problem. However I don't see anything you're doing to be illegal or illicit so far.

[klawfran3]

 

 

I believe THA uses them.

Hmm... Would it be legal for me to do it then? Have they patented it at all and could I get in legal trouble if I use it?

 

And one final question, what sealant would I use on the sides to prevent water loss?

 

Tar Heel Ants does not have a patent for the use of magnets in a formicarium. 

 

If you copied their designs and sold them commercially, that would be disrespectful and could be a problem. However I don't see anything you're doing to be illegal or illicit so far.

 

Alright cool. Thank you for the info haha. I don't want to step on anyone's toes.

[dspdrew]

Magnets have been used in products to hold things in place for a very long time. Take a look at many cabinet doors.

[klawfran3]

Last question, what sealant would I use on the sides to prevent water loss? I have the mold ready to pour.

[Subverted]

On the sides of the grout? You could smear some 100% silicone on there, that is probably what I would do if trying to make something similar to the Tarheel designs