14 replies to this topic

[T.C.]

Hello everyone, I was thinking of trying something a little different. I want to make my formicarium ant tunnels light up. Now I am not thinking light bulbs or anything too bright, but just something with a glow. So when i turn the light off in the room you have glowing ant tunnels. I am aware of potential risks, such as the ants might not like it, the heat it might put off, ( Could be a good or bad thing?) etc. However what are you guy's thoughts on this. Sound crazy or give it a go? I am thinking everything should be tried at least once!

 

Also, the nest would be made of grout, not a dirt nest.

Edited by T.C., December 15 2016 - 9:44 AM.

[Loops117]

I think its an awesome idea. I think that the ants will get used to it.

[drtrmiller]

I'm introducing a similar concept in my upcoming formicarium, which accomplishes this without the use of electronics. It's very easy to do if you think about it.

[Serafine]

Use red LEDs. Little energy consumption, practically no heat and a nice glow.

Also ants aren't good at seeing red light (larger species like Camponotus can see red but they don't react to it as strong as they do to other colors).

[T.C.]

I'm introducing a similar concept in my upcoming formicarium, which accomplishes this without the use of electronics. It's very easy to do if you think about it.

Yeah, I don't believe it would be too difficult, I am curious how you will do it without electronics? But I assume you can't tell me? lol

Edited by T.C., December 15 2016 - 12:01 PM.

[T.C.]

I think I will start building after Christmas sometime when I have some free time. I want it to look nice, no wires hanging out or, a mess of uneven strands, or bulbs all over. I want it to be the same amount of light on one side of the formicarium as the other. I still am not sure what lighting I want to go with yet?

[AntsTexas]

how about the lights used in dollhouses?

 

 

40 Micro LED Warm White Submersible String Light

http://www.100candle...CFUe1wAodKVoCgg

Edited by AntsTexas, December 15 2016 - 12:24 PM.

[Kevin]

You could perhaps do a LED setup in the center of the formicarium and install small acrylic reflectors going to the chambers, but it's impractical. For a grout formicarium, you'll need to put some thought into it.

[Reacker]

https://en.wikipedia...Phosphorescence

Edited by Reacker, December 15 2016 - 2:45 PM.

[T.C.]

how about the lights used in dollhouses?

 

 

40 Micro LED Warm White Submersible String Light

http://www.100candle...CFUe1wAodKVoCgg

 

I am not sure, might work but I think I will do a little more searching.

[MrUrrutia]

You can add some Phosphorescence material to the grout so the whole thing will glow (Strontium Aluminate), or as Reacker posted just paint it with glow in the dark pigment and on that way you can get some glow for a while after you turn off the lights... (rustoleum made some paint on spray and one that can be applied with brush).

 

One thing that will need more research it's if there is some toxic effect for prolonged contact to the chemicals, and how this will react under the presence of water.

 

Maybe a more neutral option will be the creation of the formicarium using a different method, like 3d printed using glow in the dark filament.

Edited by MrUrrutia, December 24 2016 - 3:45 PM.

[Shareallicu]

My formica queen acts stressed even with red lights.  She likes complete darkness.  The weirdo. 

[Canadian anter]

All Formica queens are very photophobic

[FSTP]

https://en.wikipedia...Phosphorescence

 

 

 

 

 

 

I hate it.

[Alabama Anter]

https://en.wikipedia...Phosphorescence

I hate it.

Who doesn't XD