460 replies to this topic

[Lazarus]

Nice looking lid. Can you describe how you made it?

 

Just 3 pieces of plexiglass, the mesh and a bit of epoxy. I created a quick diagram to show how all the parts align. I don't show the epoxy but it goes around the perimeter of the mesh and holds the Insert to the stopper. The cheap five minute epoxy is fine. At some point I may replace the Main Cover with glass, but I don't think it's all that necessary.

Edited by Lazarus, January 8 2020 - 10:09 AM.

[spartANTS]

Lazarus , where did you buy the 100 micro Wire Mesh ?

[ANTdrew]

That’s a simple and elegant design. How do you cut out the middle sections cleanly of the plexiglass?

[Lazarus]

Lazarus , where did you buy the 100 micro Wire Mesh ?

Ebay.  I got a 1ft x 3ft roll for about $7 (Canadian) about a year and a half ago. Indispensable when making outworlds from acrylic plastic boxes to get good aeration and ventilation.

[Lazarus]

That’s a simple and elegant design. How do you cut out the middle sections cleanly of the plexiglass?

 

I had a whole bunch of small and large pieces that were NOT cut straight so it took a while.

 

For the outer edges I just score both sides with a sharp work knife, clamp an edge to a table top and snap the fold.

 

The 'inner' rectangular holes are more work. I use a dremel tool with a metal "mini-sawblade". (Like this https://mobileimages...95.jpg?size=xl)

I map out the hole I want with a marker then dremel out the hole making sure I cut 'inside' to not take out too much. That leaves me with a fairly jagged edge but I them file and sand to get very tight clean inner edge.

[Lazarus]

 

Lazarus , where did you buy the 100 micro Wire Mesh ?

Ebay.  I got a 1ft x 3ft roll for about $7 (Canadian) about a year and a half ago. Indispensable when making outworlds from acrylic plastic boxes to get good aeration and ventilation.

 

Found the seller who is still selling it at the same price:

https://www.ebay.ca/...35/132120411289

[spartANTS]

Thank you for the info
i will order a roll .

[Lazarus]

Just an update on that aquarium meshed cover. I'm noticing that the larger plexiglass ("Main Cover") tends to warp. I used a relatively thin plexiglass because I had a lot (scavenged from a huge modular display I came across). And it wasn't even in direct sunlight for most of the day. So be sure to test it out first! (Which is exactly what I was doing.)

 

As my current setup is too risky to have a colony move in, I'll have to either try to get a glass piece or thicker plexiglass.

Edited by Lazarus, February 23 2020 - 9:43 AM.

[ANTdrew]

That’s frustrating, but I hope you can perfect the prototype. I’m actually interested in buying a lid like this from you if you have any interest in that.

[Lazarus]

That’s frustrating, but I hope you can perfect the prototype. I’m actually interested in buying a lid like this from you if you have any interest in that.

Hmm. Did some research regarding the plexiglass and came across one article after another stating that plexi was notorious for warping and should never be used in this manner. (Its only OK if all edges are braced). I would have to find extremely thick plexiglass to even minimize warping which even then would not eliminate it.

 

This is a huge setback as the only solution if I wanted to retain decent visibility would be to use glass instead. While I'm fairly successful cutting glass, making a rectangular opening like I have now is much harder and would require a glass cutting bit needed to first cut 'corner holes' before actually removing the inner rectangle.

 

My plans for this aquarium setup don't look like they will be solved soon.

[ANTdrew]

Dang! Sorry to hear that. I hope you can figure something out.

[Nare]

Caught 2 Lasius cf. aphidicola parasites today, they were just wandering across the pavement at the Toronto Zoo bus stop. Also saw 5 or 6 Formica ulkei and exsectoides mounds too - it was super sunny today, so there was some activity in and around the mounds.

Edited by Nare, March 9 2020 - 3:20 PM.

[Lazarus]

Well I took my girls out of hibernation today. May have lost my Tetramorium queen as she isn't moving and the tube was very humid. Sucks since I'm trying to get as much variety species wise and she was the only 'new' species (for me) that I came across last year. I'll know by tomorrow if she really is a goner.

[ANTdrew]

Sad to say, but Tetramorium should activate as soon as they warm up. The queens probably start pumping out eggs the minute the get warm enough.

[rbarreto]

Well I took my girls out of hibernation today. May have lost my Tetramorium queen as she isn't moving and the tube was very humid. Sucks since I'm trying to get as much variety species wise and she was the only 'new' species (for me) that I came across last year. I'll know by tomorrow if she really is a goner.

Always give dead looking queens like a week or two to wake up. She may not be dead at all.

[Lazarus]

 

Always give dead looking queens like a week or two to wake up. She may not be dead at all.

 

Nah. She's a goner. The nanitics are all dead as well. I do set these tubes aside just in case but it was pretty evident right away.

[Canadian anter]

Just some notes..

 

 

Prenolepis imparis flew in small quantities in Ontario on April 8-9th

 

They also flew April 27-28th, though mostly in the Southern half of Southern Ontario.

 

There will most likely be a significant flight on May 3rd

 

Possible chance of Camponotus flights soon as well in Windsor region

[Lazarus]

There will most likely be a significant flight on May 3rd
 

Hoping for tomorrow as we've had rains past two days and just clearing up today while the forecast for tomorrow is sunny and warm.

[CANant]

I had no idea this thread was here. Love it!
Happy anting today! It’s going to be a gorgeous day! Please share with us what you find!

Edited by CANant, May 2 2020 - 10:46 PM.

[Canadian anter]

Oh man. Prenolepis imparis flew today, but I don't know anyone who caught that many.

Anyone who's willing to sell DM me

Edit: Found a Camponotus male today, so who knows maybe they're having small flights

Edited by Canadian anter, May 3 2020 - 11:18 AM.