9 replies to this topic

[AntsAnonymous]

Hello fellow ants in human bodies. I'm designing a formicarium for 3D printing and was curious if anyone can think of any other features or things I should include. Going for a modular,stacking system. Very experimental at the moment, only about a few hours of design into it from hand sketches to this:

• Stackable
• Interlocking( no tubes necessary but available)
• Vertically inclined for those short on space.(Considering wall mounting holes on the back)
• Acrylic facing for weight and durability. (Removable or fixed?)
• Room for a heating cable under the assembly. (Could make thicker to add heating cable through back if that would be better)
• Interior can be changed.
• Smaller options for starter colonies (Easily expanded with other modules)

 

Any ideas would be appreciated. 

 

Thanks in advance!! 

[Mercutia]

How do you plan to hydrate?

[Crystals]

Hydration is a good question.

My other concern is that many ants have a hard time climbing smooth surfaces.  Is there a way to roughen the floor when printing it for good traction?

 

There may be room for a heating cable under the assembly, but what about a hidden notch behind it running up the side to provide a better heat gradient?

 

Another question, is the glass removable in case we move the colony out and need to clean it?  Or perhaps to force a move in an emergency?

[AntsAnonymous]

Either a reservoir built into a side with very small holes or a small 1/2 module attachment, I'd have to test and see if enough moisture transfers and creates a gradient.

[benjiwuf]

I think being 3d printed would be rough enough depending on the quality of the printer itself. Mine print out rough enough for ants to climb anyway.

[hoppitybop]

Fore hydration, either make a completely new hole suitable for a test tube setup (the cotton ball and water one) and/or change the tube/connector hole to fit a test tube. If not, you could always have a hole threat accommodates the clear silicone tubing and have it sticking out and the upright. This would have a cotton ball at one end (the ants end) and water would be poured in the other end. This way you wouldn't have to remove a test tube each time for new water and if the cotton ball got mouldy, you still could. Another advantage would be that you could use that tube to connect an outworld directly to the formicarium.

Once you have finnished this design, is there any chance i could have a copy of the file as i have been hoping to print a formicarium for my ants as their current one is getting a bit small. Thank you.

Josh

[Shareallicu]

What 3D printer are you using?  Or could you recommend a cheaper one that would make quality formicarium's?   I wouldn't want mistakes that could help them escape hehe

[NightsWebs]

I suppose you could just use a sponge system but you always have to worry about sponges and mold.  Any kind of plastic container runs the risk of contamination from leaching chemicals from the plastic much the same way bottled water leaches chemicals into the water you drink.  I have no idea if any of the plastics used in 3d printing under sustained moisture and heat will emit toxic by products to the ants over time. 

[hoppitybop]

I'm not an expert on plastics but maybe if you kept the formicarium at 10 degrees or so higher than normal for a few days (before you move the ants in) those toxic gasses would be emitted. If you did that then when you put it back too the ideal temperature, there wouldn't be any toxic gasses... i'm not sure if that would work. Tbh I would just have this formicarium and another full one so if this one messes up, I still have ants and I can try to improve. Sorry if I can't help much

Edited by hoppitybop, September 28 2016 - 2:11 PM.

[drtrmiller]

Note that common thermoplastics used in 3D printing are ABS, HIPS, and PLA. None of these pose any danger to ants, and do not leech harmful chemicals when in contact with water or with the application of heat.

ABS is used to make Lego bricks, along with millions or billions of other consumer plastic products. HIPS is used to make CD jewel cases and inexpensive clear containers. PLA is a biodegradable polymer derived from corn, and is even starting to be used in FDA-approved recyclable water bottles as a replacement to the much more ubiquitous PET.

Edited by drtrmiller, September 28 2016 - 2:36 PM.