5 replies to this topic

[Licespray]

Hey guys! As the title says this was my first attempt at making a formicarium. I havent read much on them except needing humidity etc (gotta work out how to do that). Also unsure what species i could keep in this? I don't even have ants yet so am a verrrry long time off needing to use it.

 

Where do i need to add ventilation? How do I keep moisture levels right etc? It's plaster of paris. The hole in the side is for the hose which will go to the out world. I think i'll need to cut a patch out of the lid to put a mesh vent hole in?

 

It has a lot of condensation in the pictures - that goes away when i leave the lid off (no hole cut yet) and the plaster isn't fully dried out yet i believe, being so solid a chunk.

 

Cheers! Critique away..And yes..i am aware i did it sideways with the chamber shapes  

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Jaaron]

I'm a total newb, but I'd recommend reading this: http://www.formicult....php/topic/220-

 

It includes a great deal of insight on nest design, etc. 

Edited by Jaaron, April 10 2017 - 1:11 AM.

[Serafine]

For what species is this? It would probably work for dry-loving species like Camponotus but not for ants that need it moist like Myrmica. Also how you gonna ventilate it, just a few holes at the top?

[Licespray]

For what species is this? It would probably work for dry-loving species like Camponotus but not for ants that need it moist like Myrmica. Also how you gonna ventilate it, just a few holes at the top?

 

 

I can add holes to any of the chambers if need be and yes, I was going to cut the top and put a fine mesh over the cut out piece

 

Suggestions for conversion to any moisture loving ants? Poke a hole with a syringe and drip it in to the bottom so it rests on the plastic instead of being absorbed by the plaster? (pic 3). Or how do i know when its humid enough? When there is condensation on the inside? I could keep the plaster damp also.

[Antsinmycloset]

I did something very similar, making sure to have plenty of perlite mixed in the grout. I'd be hesitant to use much plaster of paris long term, btw, though it's good for testing. Mine looks like this. I filler the isolated chamber on the right with a syringe of distilled water, refilling when it gets dry or even low. As is, I can get noticeable condensation on the plastic that way, so the chambers definitely have some humidity to them. Something similar should work for you, too.

How do you know if it's humid enough? Who knows? Just try to design it with a gradient in mind. In theory, the chambers further and highest from the water point will be more dry. The ones close to the water chamber should be very wet. With any luck, one of those chambers will be basically what the colony wants.

Sadly, the pair of Myrmica (very moisture loving) queens I build these things for were infertile, so I haven't really figured out what I'm going to do with them. I think I'm going to put a Prenolepis imparis in one, since they look difficult to heat, and use another as a satellite nest for my Tapinoma sessile. I'm not 100% confident in the ventilation, but since a proper colony is going into them now instead of a semiclaustral queen, I'll probably attach a proper outworld and be done with it.

Edited by Antsinmycloset, April 10 2017 - 11:21 AM.

[Licespray]

I can get the plaster block back out and carve in a new water chamber. The one I put in I connected to the nest thinking it would have to flow (once evaporated) through the tunnels carved. Didn't think it would just go through the plaster. I was going to add vent holes in some of the chambers on the opposite side too to cause them to be dryer and give them more choice.