10 replies to this topic

[CNewton]

I decided to start working on a formicarium. I watched a video from AmazingAnts channel. He used ytong to make a multi-chambered formicarium for his Messor colony. I am using his design as the model for mine.

I am using a 2.5gal glass aquarium. I removed the plastic upper cover (breaking off a small piece in the process) and removed excess silicone. I will probably leave the top on and retrofit a lid that I can seal in place and have a hole in the center to access the inside.

Since I do not have ready access to ytong, I am using grout. After measuring the inside length of the tank, I built a frame and poured approximately 1.5” of unsanded grout. It took about 2 days to set up.




I removed the frame so it could finish curing.



Like the chambers in the videos, I am making seperate nests so I can slowly add more space as I need it. I have no colonies that are big enough to fill either of these sides. I am going to make 2 side nests that will consist of only 1 or 2 chambers that can be used as a psuedo-founding nest.



Just about finished with the front. This piece will be fitted and siliconed to the inside of the aquarium.

[antnest8]

looks good

[Barristan]

Well done. If you cast a nest with grout or plaster of Paris you can make your life easier if you use styrofoam or plasticine to create the chambers and tunnels.

[Scrixx]

What did you use to make the frame?

[T.C.]

Well done. If you cast a nest with grout or plaster of Paris you can make your life easier if you use styrofoam or plasticine to create the chambers and tunnels.

'

Do you know where I can get those square styrofoam strips? I used  6 inch long, square wooden boards, but those are a pain in the a$$ to get back out of molds.

[nurbs]

 

Well done. If you cast a nest with grout or plaster of Paris you can make your life easier if you use styrofoam or plasticine to create the chambers and tunnels.

'

Do you know where I can get those square styrofoam strips? I used  6 inch long, square wooden boards, but those are a pain in the a$$ to get back out of molds.

 

 

 

Clay or Play-Doh works even better. That way you can shape the chambers the way you like.

 

https://www.amazon.c...=play doh&psc=1

[T.C.]

 

 

Well done. If you cast a nest with grout or plaster of Paris you can make your life easier if you use styrofoam or plasticine to create the chambers and tunnels.

'

Do you know where I can get those square styrofoam strips? I used  6 inch long, square wooden boards, but those are a pain in the a$$ to get back out of molds.

 

 

 

Clay or Play-Doh works even better. That way you can shape the chambers the way you like.

 

https://www.amazon.c...=play doh&psc=1

 

 

Yeah, Play doh works really well. Comes out without any issue and is softer than clay so it's easier to work with.  But I am trying to build something with square chambers and it would be easier to use something like these square foam strips I talk about rather than shaping out square molds with play doh.

[nurbs]

 

 

 

Yeah, Play doh works really well. Comes out without any issue and is softer than clay so it's easier to work with.  But I am trying to build something with square chambers and it would be easier to use something like these square foam strips I talk about rather than shaping out square molds with play doh.

 

 

 

Take toy building blocks, the ones made of wood. They come in various sizes. Wrap it in sarran wrap. Pour the grout or hydrostone with the sarran wrap on the wooden blocks. 

 

I've personally done this with Hydrostone-X. Pull out the sarran wrapped blocks 30 minutes after the hydrostone solidifies. You must do this asap or the hydrostone will expand an the blocks will be much harder to pull out.

 

I simply use clay now though, and just mold out the squares. Make and pour this once. Then take make a silicon mold of that piece to create a negative. Then use the silicon mold to create as many nests as you want. 

[T.C.]

 

 

 

 

Yeah, Play doh works really well. Comes out without any issue and is softer than clay so it's easier to work with.  But I am trying to build something with square chambers and it would be easier to use something like these square foam strips I talk about rather than shaping out square molds with play doh.

 

 

 

Take toy building blocks, the ones made of wood. They come in various sizes. Wrap it in sarran wrap. Pour the grout or hydrostone with the sarran wrap on the wooden blocks. 

 

I've personally done this with Hydrostone-X. Pull out the sarran wrapped blocks 30 minutes after the hydrostone solidifies. You must do this asap or the hydrostone will expand an the blocks will be much harder to pull out.

 

I simply use clay now though, and just mold out the squares. Make and pour this once. Then take make a silicon mold of that piece to create a negative. Then use the silicon mold to create as many nests as you want. 

 

 

that's a really good idea. That way I could just cut the suran wrap on the top and pull them out one by one. Thank you sir for the idea.

[CNewton]

My frame was made with foamcore board. We have tons of scrap at work, so I just took and used that. I have clay and have shaped tunnels before for the poured grout. Brain fart - I will do that for thew sides! Pouring those this weekend.

[CNewton]

I poured the 2 sides after measuring the lengths. Because it was all from scratch and not pre-molded blocks of ytong, there was a slight difference in size. I am tried experimenting with diffent chambers. Pics of siliconed sections in place.





I plan on pouring a 1/2” of grout in the bottom to help strengthen the support and prevent any ants from moving there if my silicone has any gaps.



I have some plexiglass I will cut to size and silicone to the 3 grout sides and the back glass. The piece will need to be snug against the glass but shorter on the sides to allow access to the 4 tunnels. I can then plug tunnels with cotton until I need to expand.