345 replies to this topic

[sgheaton]

Yay larger ones! While I'm still, "Meh," I like the larger ones a lot more! The size was a little bit of a concern to me as I didn't want to have to move something out in a year. 

[PTAntFan]

Where is the link to purchase?

[Goldsystem]

Are you gonna make a version for 1mm ants?

[dspdrew]

Yay larger ones! While I'm still, "Meh," I like the larger ones a lot more! The size was a little bit of a concern to me as I didn't want to have to move something out in a year. 

 

In one of the small ones, a colony of medium-sized ants can have a couple hundred before they need something bigger.

 

 

Where is the link to purchase?

 

Just PM me if you want to buy something.

 

 

Are you gonna make a version for 1mm ants?

 

Probably not any time soon.

[Cameron C. Thomas]

Are you gonna make a version for 1mm ants?

 
 

 

Are you gonna make a version for 1mm ants?

 
Probably not any time soon.

 

I just got mine in the mail and am eager to get something into it.

Re: the issue with 1 mm ants and @Goldsystem, if your concern is small ants escaping the formicarium, this one seems easy enough to modify. Around the perimeter of the lid where it sits on the clear box, you could use a syringe to carefully lay a 'pour in place' gasket with the medium of your choice, e.g., silicone. The other issue, as I understand it, would be small ants getting into the water reservoir. You could get creative and modify those spaces in a similar way, but I don't know if that would cause an issue with the transfer of water from the reservoir through the substrate. That is to say, I'm not a physicist by any means, so I have no idea if a vacuum created by an airtight seal around the reservoir would prevent water from moving through this formicarium as it was designed to do.

 

Again, super excited to get something into this formicarium. Excellent design, Drew. 

[dspdrew]

 

Are you gonna make a version for 1mm ants?

 
 

 

Are you gonna make a version for 1mm ants?

 
Probably not any time soon.

 

I just got mine in the mail and am eager to get something into it.

Re: the issue with 1 mm ants and @Goldsystem, if your concern is small ants escaping the formicarium, this one seems easy enough to modify. Around the perimeter of the lid where it sits on the clear box, you could use a syringe to carefully lay a 'pour in place' gasket with the medium of your choice, e.g., silicone. The other issue, as I understand it, would be small ants getting into the water reservoir. You could get creative and modify those spaces in a similar way, but I don't know if that would cause an issue with the transfer of water from the reservoir through the substrate. That is to say, I'm not a physicist by any means, so I have no idea if a vacuum created by an airtight seal around the reservoir would prevent water from moving through this formicarium as it was designed to do.

 

Again, super excited to get something into this formicarium. Excellent design, Drew. 

 

 

Thanks. Yeah, there are things I could do to make them work with ants that small, but those would definitely be more expensive, because it would take a lot more time to make.

[sgheaton]

 

Yay larger ones! While I'm still, "Meh," I like the larger ones a lot more! The size was a little bit of a concern to me as I didn't want to have to move something out in a year. 

 

In one of the small ones, a colony of medium-sized ants can have a couple hundred before they need something bigger.

 

Oh yeah? Awesome! I might give one a chance. If I caught the Lasius species in my back yard it would be perfect. 

[Cameron C. Thomas]

Does the hydrostone go through the bottom of the formicarium? If so, why?

[dspdrew]

Does the hydrostone go through the bottom of the formicarium? If so, why?

 

Yes, in two spots. That helps hold it in.

[drtrmiller]

 

Does the hydrostone go through the bottom of the formicarium? If so, why?

 

Yes, in two spots. That helps hold it in.

 

 

I was wondering about that, too.  Very smart!

[PTAntFan]

Hey Drew,

 

Bought one off Amazon already and it's arrived. Any particular setup?  Should I moisten the soil prior to putting in?  How do I know how much water to put in?

[drtrmiller]

Bought one off Amazon already and it's arrived. Any particular setup?  Should I moisten the soil prior to putting in?  How do I know how much water to put in?

 
Just fill up the inner tank after adding the soil so you get an idea of how it hydrates.  It should take a few hours because it's very slow.

 

Additionally, you may also squirt a little water down the sides to wash away any dust and also to moisten the top-most soil, which doesn't get that wet otherwise.

Edited by drtrmiller, June 29 2017 - 7:29 PM.

[dspdrew]

Hey Drew,
 
Bought one off Amazon already and it's arrived. Any particular setup?  Should I moisten the soil prior to putting in?  How do I know how much water to put in?

The way I initially hydrate these nests is by squirting about a 1/4 inch of water on the surface. I take that opportunity to wash the dust off the sides of the plastic. That amount of water will completely soak all of the dirt, and then continue slowly soaking into the vermiculite in the inner container, leaving the nests with the perfect dampness for new queens to start digging their nests. The reason I soak all of the dirt in the beginning is so that as the upper layer dries out, it hardens, protecting the nest against collapse.

[PTAntFan]

How do I measure how much water to put inside the inner container?

[Shaye]

Finished designing the large ones.
 

 

 

 

 

What thread is this design posted in?

[dspdrew]

https://www.formicul...ated-3-19-2017/

[Shaye]

I didn't find it on this page.. I just meant the nice additions such as the new tubes going to the top and out of the container. I guess I am just used to the ones I bought before.

Also, the new sealed lid-design is nice.

Edited by Shaye, July 23 2017 - 12:42 PM.

[dspdrew]

Did you look through the thread? Since it's new it's obviously going to be more towards the end.
 
https://www.formicul...-19-2017/page-9

[Shaye]

My bad entirely. I truly thought that I had read every single page, but I somehow skipped two? I found the page, very very nice improvements.

[JackPearl]

Hello! I've seen plenty of your nests, portals etc and am wondering...do you sell any of these? Is there a website for them?
Or a collection of what your willing to sell?

I'm from Australia, so if I'm able to buy please PM me.