12 replies to this topic

[Amanda]

Hello all, I've been keeping ants since 2000, and recently started making Ytong (autoclaved aerated concrete) formicariums. 

 

I'm located in Western North Carolina and love the diversity of ants here. 

 

Here is what I have so far.

All of these have magnetic nest lids, attached vented foraging areas, feeding dishes and water chambers with 150 micron stainless steel screen(for humidity control). 

*(Most so far are made for medium to large sized ants) 

 

 

Album: Formicariums

47 images

0 comments

 

[Kai]

WOW!

[T.C.]

Welcome to the forum. Nice collection there, I seen it earlier in the gallery and was pretty impressed. Good craftsmanship. I suppose after 17 years in the ant keeping hobby, you might now a thing or two from experience. We could always use more knowledgable people on the subject here.

See you around the forum and in chat.

[brian]

Your nest are very beautiful and the red lights for night viewing is a great idea.

I'm From Indiana and have been trying to find a source of Ytong (autoclaved aerated concrete) but so far have not found any place.

Being from Western North Carolina here in the states would you share the name and contact information of your suppler with me?

Either way your nest are gorgeous !

[Barristan]

Great looking nests, thank you for sharing!

[Amanda]

Thanks everyone! 

 

Brian - I acquired all my autoclaved aerated concrete while I was in living in Florida, the plant has been shut down for years.

[Kevin]

Believe it or not, you're better off with a grout nest or 3D printed nest with advanced hydration such as the GroTube (discontinued), nests at 117colonies, or some of my upcoming nests. Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) evaporates water very quickly due to the porous structure, and will dry brood and ants quickly. A water tower is (in my opinion) bare minimum hydration and likely kills a lot of brood or ants because it just relies on evaporation to humidify and moisten the entire nest.

[Spamdy]

Reminds me of THA

[Amanda]

The insides are actually all painted in grout/sand (pics in my album) mix to help spread moisture through out the nest and gives ants something to hold on to, and through years of trail an error these new nests last 1-2 weeks with water still in the water chamber. I've personally had more success with these nests over acrylic printed formicariums.

Edited by Amanda, April 22 2017 - 11:35 AM.

[Civz]

Niiiiice! really like the ways these display

[Amanda]

Thank you Civz, I'm trying my best to make them look better and better with each new batch I make.

[brian]

Thank you Civz, I'm trying my best to make them look better and better with each new batch I make.

Your doing an amazing job I can't see how these could look any better than they already do because they're absolutely marvelous.

[Amanda]

 

Thank you Civz, I'm trying my best to make them look better and better with each new batch I make.

Your doing an amazing job I can't see how these could look any better than they already do because they're absolutely marvelous.

 

Well Thank You ! , and there is always room for improvement.