Nice! I officially grant you the king of hydrostone, molding, etc. Good luck on future Formicariums.
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FSTP's Formicarium Build Journal **Photos Finally Rehosted**
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FSTP
, Dec 15 2016 7:34 PM
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#81
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Posted December 3 2018 - 4:05 PM
Rstheant
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#82
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Posted January 3 2019 - 12:42 PM
FSTP
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I had some unglazed bisque ceramic tiles made so I can use them as a means of hydration in any of my formicarium builds.
Here is my first prototype using these tiles. The tile is isolated from the hydrostone using an epoxy around the perimeter so that the ceramic tile does not come in contact with the hydrostone.
The Hydrostone mold sits atop the petridish which is then utilized as a water reservoir.
Here you can see the tile molded into the Hydrostone so that it can sit atop the water sponge.
Here it is filed with water, it seems to hold a rather goodly amount.
Edited by FSTP, January 3 2019 - 12:55 PM.
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#83
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Posted January 3 2019 - 3:21 PM
T.C.
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Looks good.
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#84
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Posted January 4 2019 - 5:25 PM
kingz2015
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Looks great.
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#85
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Posted January 4 2019 - 5:39 PM
Leo
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How did you cut the tile?
#86
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Posted January 4 2019 - 7:24 PM
FSTP
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How did you cut the tile?
I didn't, I had the tile specially made in that size, as well as other sizes I thought I might need.
#88
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Posted January 10 2019 - 10:11 AM
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What do you use to mold the chambers? Inspired by your designs and want to make something of my own haha.
I use Plastilina modeling clay.
#90
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Posted January 10 2019 - 3:47 PM
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You need to change FSTP’s Formicarium Build, into FSTP Formicariums Builds! 
#91
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Posted January 10 2019 - 6:40 PM
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Oh okay. What’s the best way to get it out of the formicarium or prevent it from sticking? Mine always took hours to clean out.
there's two ways that I use. If the shape is rather complex I'll coat the mold in vegetable oil just the lightest poosble coat. If the shap is relatively simple I won't use anything. But then I'll let the hydrostome sit for a few days since it shrinks slightly once cured and then it will mak pulling the clay away much easier. Also it helps if its not to warm that way the clay will pull out in one pice and not break apart.
#92
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Posted February 2 2019 - 8:37 AM
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#93
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Posted February 19 2019 - 4:06 PM
Ants Galore
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Amazing
#94
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Posted May 5 2019 - 6:22 AM
Lazarus
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I'm still not quite sure how you molded this. What did you use as a "cavity filler" to get that shape? Sculpting clay? Plasticine? Do you cover those with olive oil and then just carve it out when dry? I've made many 'Crystal' style formicariums but I'm not sure ithat would work here. I really want to make one with the THA stalagmites/stalactites.well the first one didn't come out that nice. I still have to finish the interior with sand and making it appear more natural, burnishing the edges it a bit more. So here it is still naked.
Edited by Lazarus, May 5 2019 - 6:24 AM.
My online ant spreadsheet
#95
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Posted June 18 2019 - 7:54 PM
Herdo
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I'm still not quite sure how you molded this. What did you use as a "cavity filler" to get that shape? Sculpting clay? Plasticine? Do you cover those with olive oil and then just carve it out when dry? I've made many 'Crystal' style formicariums but I'm not sure ithat would work here. I really want to make one with the THA stalagmites/stalactites.well the first one didn't come out that nice. I still have to finish the interior with sand and making it appear more natural, burnishing the edges it a bit more. So here it is still naked.
I'm curious about this as well. Did you just use modeling clay for the mold?
#96
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Posted August 22 2019 - 7:19 AM
Silq
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I'm still not quite sure how you molded this. What did you use as a "cavity filler" to get that shape? Sculpting clay? Plasticine? Do you cover those with olive oil and then just carve it out when dry? I've made many 'Crystal' style formicariums but I'm not sure ithat would work here. I really want to make one with the THA stalagmites/stalactites.well the first one didn't come out that nice. I still have to finish the interior with sand and making it appear more natural, burnishing the edges it a bit more. So here it is still naked.
I'm curious about this as well. Did you just use modeling clay for the mold?
I'm guessing plastilina. Cheap and easy to get oil based modeling clay so it sounds like it would work well with plaster.
Ant Journal: http://www.formicult...-journal/<br> My colonies: C. Semitestaceus, P. Californicus, V. Pergandei, S. Xyloni.
#97
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Posted August 22 2019 - 9:19 AM
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#98
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Posted August 22 2019 - 12:18 PM
Tkmalphurs
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Where did you get the giant petri dishes? And any updates on the ants?
#99
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Posted December 13 2019 - 12:06 PM
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Where did you get the boxes for the THA style formicariums? I can't seem to find non square corner acrylic boxes with gravity lid.
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Keeps: Camponotus, Tetra
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#100
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Posted December 13 2019 - 2:28 PM
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Where did you get the boxes for the THA style formicariums? I can't seem to find non square corner acrylic boxes with gravity lid.
They're available lots of places They're from pioneer plastics. The easiest place to get them I suppsoe is amazon. Heres a link to one of them. https://www.amazon.c...76276115&sr=8-8
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