177 replies to this topic

[dspdrew]

All the tiles rounds I cut out absorb water just fine before performing the experiment.

[AntsCalifornia]

Can you give the links to the tiles and cutouts you buy? I want to start experimenting with these as I'm looking into non natural setups now.

[dspdrew]

I cut the tiles myself. The tiles I used to buy from Michaels, but they don't sell them anymore. I'll have to find some elsewhere. Any unglazed ceramic tiles will work.

[zlez93]

Hey,

 

Wanting to create something similar to this myself although I don't have access to the tiles and molds you have used.

I was looking at your original design and I am wondering how the sponge from the bottom container contacted the hydrostone in the nest?

For myself I was thinking of doing this: Having a container at the bottom (water tank), drilling hole from tank lid to the nest and putting a pvc tube with sponge inside it so moisture wicks up. Then, sticking some clay over the top of the tube and then placing hydrostone down in the nest so it's approximately 2mm higher than the tube then pulling out tubing and removing clay and putting it back into place in the nest. Ideally I'd probably push the sponge further up as far as it goes so there's good contact.vWhat do you think about this? I'm not sure if the sponge will transfer water to the hydrostone flooring in the nest doing this? I'd obviously test the humidity levels out first but I haven't ordered the containers yet.

Edited by zlez93, February 11 2018 - 6:47 PM.

[Del]

It is possible that the silicone is releasing a hydrophobic substance that is being absorbed by the porous tiles. I can't find any specific info on this, but I vaguely remember someone telling me to use silicone oil spray as a release agent as it replenishes the oils that a silicone mould naturally loses over time. Take that with a pinch of salt though

[dspdrew]

That's exactly what I think might be happening.

[T.C.]

Is there any particular reason you simply didn't use the mesh over a hole, and use evaporation? Of course, hydration wouldn't work as well. I'm mainly just curious how you feel about that?

[dspdrew]

Is there any particular reason you simply didn't use the mesh over a hole, and use evaporation? Of course, hydration wouldn't work as well. I'm mainly just curious how you feel about that?

 

The reason I don't do that is because I want it to be their access to drinking water as well. I have thought about putting the tile in the out world for drinking, while allowing only humidity into the nest, like you are suggesting.

[FSTP]

These are looking really nice. Will you be selling these on amazon like the dir shacks once you have everything finalized?

[dspdrew]

I'll probably sell them on eBay. The only way they would be sold on Amazon is if someone with an Amazon store sold them, the way byFormica sells the Dirt Boxes.

[JohnTX]

Any problem with smaller workers escaping from the stackable containers?  I tried using the same ones, but the drying hydrostone warped them a bit causing micro gaps in the lid fit that led to escape.

Wondering if you encountered that or, better yet, found a solution beyond fluon, etc.

[dspdrew]

Any problem with smaller workers escaping from the stackable containers?  I tried using the same ones, but the drying hydrostone warped them a bit causing micro gaps in the lid fit that led to escape.

Wondering if you encountered that or, better yet, found a solution beyond fluon, etc.

 

You need to squeeze the sides together and hold them with masking tape until the Hydrostone is cured.

[dspdrew]

I made a larger version of this simple formicarium, just like the starter version, but with three chambers. It's basically structured like test tube in a foraging container, only with a much better hydration system and sectioned off chambers. These prototypes were actually made for Antking117 . I'll be making more that I can test out myself soon.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Ants4fun]

What did you use to connect the boxes?

[AntsCalifornia]

What is the white stuff on the ground?

[drtrmiller]

Oh no! They're so crooked! Crooked boxes!

[dspdrew]

What did you use to connect the boxes?

 
3D printed connector tubes.
 
 

What is the white stuff on the ground?

 
Resin and sand.
 
 

Oh no! They're so crooked! Crooked boxes!

 
Haha, I know. I don't have a jig made yet for those holes.

[noebl1]

@dspdrew Do you have info somewhere on what resin you use that's ant safe? Your designs are always really inspiring.  Thanks!

 

EDIT: I haven't used resins before, so wasn't sure if most of the common crafting ones are ant safe.  Thinking I can cut down on some printing time by using a 3D printed frame, with an epoxy fill as hydrostone obviously was a failure.

Edited by noebl1, March 5 2018 - 8:29 AM.

[YsTheAnt]

What are those small containers you are using for the interior chamber?

Edited by YsTheAnt, March 5 2018 - 12:58 PM.

[CoolColJ]

Reminds me of the Chinese Bamboo tube nests, with the refillable sand hydration chamber at the back.

No issues with mold on these

 

There is a member here called Leo that uses one for his ants

 

http://img.alicdn.com/imgextra/i2/3340958150/TB257IWvMxlpuFjSszgXXcJdpXa_!!3340958150.jpg http://img.alicdn.co...!3340958150.jpg

http://img.alicdn.com/imgextra/i3/3340958150/TB2Lo0rvYVkpuFjSspcXXbSMVXa_!!3340958150.jpg http://img.alicdn.co...!3340958150.jpg

http://img.alicdn.com/imgextra/i4/3340958150/TB2jIkoXfAPyuJjy0FcXXbCzpXa_!!3340958150.jpg

Edited by CoolColJ, March 16 2018 - 3:09 PM.