12 replies to this topic

[Californian Anter]

I was just wondering what outworld do you guys use for your ants? If you make your own, is it possible to write how you made the outworld? Thanks.

[FSTP]

I use small to medium sized plastic and acrylic containers and tanks. If you search around the forum, you can see how others have made their's. You can see how I've made one of mine in my journal. 

 

http://www.formicult...ournal/?p=46745

 

 

 

[T.C.]

Lots of different options my friend. However they are one of the easier parts of antkeeping. I just do mine with a tube leading from whatever there nest is to the container. I pour some grout in the bottom, and before it dries lay sand and rocks down. Then just add a few plants for a natural look. Then you can line the top of the out world with fluon to prevent escaping or just give it a lid with a small holes to keep it ventilated. However the best method in my opinion is just to line it with fluon.

[Serafine]

I'm currently using a plastic container. In the future I will use several AntKit acrylic nests, three GPPS outworlds and most likely large "Scuba" sealed food boxes. At some future point I would like to raise aphids in one or two very large boxes.

[Okeedoke22]

I use Box Box that I get from the container store.  The lid fits perfectly I have zero complaints. 

[Californian Anter]

I use small to medium sized plastic and acrylic containers and tanks. If you search around the forum, you can see how others have made their's. You can see how I've made one of mine in my journal. 

 

http://www.formicult...ournal/?p=46745

How did you drill the hole? Is it possible with tools available to a teen?

Edited by Californian Anter, January 6 2017 - 4:18 PM.

[Kevin]

 

I use small to medium sized plastic and acrylic containers and tanks. If you search around the forum, you can see how others have made their's. You can see how I've made one of mine in my journal. 

 

http://www.formicult...ournal/?p=46745

How did you drill the hole? Is it possible with tools available to a teen?

 

Teens can have different tool selection. A drill and drill bit is all that is needed for that, but there can be advancements to makes cleaner cuts, exact cuts, etc.

I use 4x4x4 amac boxes and run a tube from the nest the the amac box.

[Serafine]

You need one of these:

They can be used with manual drillers like this:

[dspdrew]

You need one of these:

They can be used with manual drillers like this:

 

  If anyone uses either of these to drill holes in their plastic box, please post a picture of it once you finish.

[FSTP]

those types of bits needs higher rpm. You're not going to achieve 1200rpm on a hand crank....

[dspdrew]

They are also for grinding metal not drilling holes in plastic haha.

[AntsBrazil]

I don't have access to the Box Box containers so I have to use something else. Sometimes I can find food containers that are good like this one:

 

 

But it's small and I can't find bigger ones, specially for the Atta that will need a quite big one, so I bought some pieces of glass in the right size and made my own glass box like this one:

 

 

The only problem with the glass box is to drill a hole in it, to do it you will need a glass drill and a lot of patience.

After you have your container you can place some decorations and the substrate, I boil the substrate before placing it in the outworld so there's almost nothing that can harm the ants(like fungus, mites...).

[noebl1]

The only problem with the glass box is to drill a hole in it, to do it you will need a glass drill and a lot of patience.

 

When I was into reef keeping (talk about a pricey hobby...), I used to drill glass out all the time.  I even drilled out a 75g tank, full of water and fish (after dropping water level a few inches), that was scary... anyways enough of the old days.  I found the cheap eBay diamond bits from China worked well with a simple corded hand drill.  Make a template just big enough for the bit, keep that affixed to the glass, and drill slowly keeping very even pressure (but needs to be perfectly flat!).  I'd also if someone was around, have them spray a bit of water as I was going.  I had a lot of success with this method, even on the thin 10g tank glass.  I think I only broke one 10g tank as got impatient.  Only thing is watch out for tempered glass as it will shatter if you attempt to drill it.