Jump to content

  • Chat
  •  
  •  

Welcome to Formiculture.com!

This is a website for anyone interested in Myrmecology and all aspects of finding, keeping, and studying ants. The site and forum are free to use. Register now to gain access to all of our features. Once registered and logged in, you will be able to create topics, post replies to existing threads, give reputation points to your fellow members, get your own private messenger, post status updates, manage your profile and so much more. If you already have an account, login here - otherwise create an account for free today!

Photo

Tar heel ants the Nucleus & the Hearth


  • Please log in to reply
13 replies to this topic

#1 Offline dean_k - Posted January 21 2015 - 4:04 PM

dean_k

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 845 posts
  • LocationWaterown, Ontario, Canada

Today, I've received my THA Nucleus and the Hearth.

 

IMG_0134_zpsuczjfy0n.jpg

 

IMG_0121_zpspu3vwec8.jpg

 

 

Just a little info on those.

 

The Nucleus is for medium size colony. It is double sized and has removable size glasses. I opted for museum grade glass which blocks UV light and reduces reflection greatly.

 

The Hearth is a new product. It is much smaller capacity compared with the Nucleus despite of being similar in size. It is only one sided and has only one big chamber. The hearth is to be new home for my Myrmica sp colony.

 

 

The Nucleus

 

This formicarium is absolutely gorgeous. It has a wooden base and two removable glasses. Its outworld is attached by magnets. Everything is held firm and I find almost no flaws with this.

 

IMG_0123_zpsvgxnih4f.jpg

 

IMG_0124_zpsoysrjqk2.jpg

 

IMG_0125_zpsbwqfwowb.jpg

 

IMG_0126_zpslzuk1ujw.jpg

 

IMG_0127_zpslfoalt9i.jpg

 

IMG_0129_zpsywudmldk.jpg

 

IMG_0128_zpsjltwnt64.jpg

 

The middle tube leads to water tower on bottom of formicarium. The same tubes exist on the other side.

 

There is a small issue with this formicarium. It is that the glass has very sharp edges. But this is a minor issue and can be easily corrected by simply applying tape or something. I don't think I'd be opening the glass a lot, so this is almost no issue for me.

 

The Nucleus is going to be home for Crystal's Myrmica colony with 3 queens and 50+ workers.

 

 

The Hearth

 

The hearth is a new product. This formicarium is going to be the new home for my Myrmica colony.

 

IMG_0130_zpsbc11j20v.jpg

 

IMG_0131_zpsr162z5pv.jpg

 

IMG_0132_zpsqhczylv2.jpg

 

IMG_0133_zpsknx5irlp.jpg

 

IMG_0135_zpsoopuaecp.jpg

 

First of all, it has a surprise feature. On bottom, you can flash light through its water tower, creating a movie effect within the chamber. Because of this feature, this formicarium did not come with a wooden base which has created a small problem.

 

Because the removable side glass has sharp edges, I fear the edge can be damaged by dragging it around on surface. A solution to this is very simple: just add four rubber feet. :D

 

Tar Heel ant claims it is very hard to add magnets for this nest, so the outworld is held by a tube that connects the entrance of outworld and the nest itself.


Edited by dean_k, January 21 2015 - 4:09 PM.


#2 Offline InsideAntz - Posted January 21 2015 - 6:17 PM

InsideAntz

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 44 posts
  • LocationBensalem PA (Philadelphia)

Nice, now that's a sharp.

 

I ordered one from Tar heel ants a little more than a week ago so hoping it comes soon. 

 

I also ordered 2 of the Talus which I found pretty kool.  

 

I have a few fish tanks filled with soil which I rather like but this forum has convinced me to try at least one formicarium that allows me to see the darn queen and entire crew for a change   (y)



#3 Offline dspdrew - Posted January 21 2015 - 7:08 PM

dspdrew
  • LocationSanta Ana, CA

I do like the way he carves those, along with the coloring technique. Not sure why he wouldn't put some sort of feet on them so your not dragging a brick around on your table. Also, grinding glass is not that hard.


  • BugFinder likes this

#4 Offline InsideAntz - Posted February 5 2015 - 6:55 PM

InsideAntz

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 44 posts
  • LocationBensalem PA (Philadelphia)

TarHeels (NC) must be going thru some tough weather... nothing yet and it's been a month since i placed the order. 


  • drtrmiller likes this

#5 Offline Miles - Posted February 5 2015 - 9:06 PM

Miles

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 541 posts
  • LocationFlorida & Arizona

TarHeels (NC) must be going thru some tough weather... nothing yet and it's been a month since i placed the order. 

 

Hi InsideAntz. I'm friends with the owner and I'll contact him and see what's up. I do know that some of his larger products are more intricate than others, and take time to make. That may be a factor here.


Edited by Miles, February 5 2015 - 9:19 PM.

PhD Student & NSF Graduate Research Fellow | University of Florida Dept. of Entomology & Nematology - Lucky Ant Lab 

 

Founder & Director of The Ant Network. Ant keeper since 2009. Insect ecologist and science communicator. He/Him.


#6 Offline Mercutia - Posted February 5 2015 - 9:30 PM

Mercutia

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 621 posts
  • LocationToronto, Canada

TarHeels (NC) must be going thru some tough weather... nothing yet and it's been a month since i placed the order. 

Did he at least get back to you with an ETA? Seems a little haphazard to not have a general sense of when your package should be coming in.


  • BugFinder likes this

#7 Offline dspdrew - Posted February 5 2015 - 11:12 PM

dspdrew
  • LocationSanta Ana, CA

 

TarHeels (NC) must be going thru some tough weather... nothing yet and it's been a month since i placed the order. 

Did he at least get back to you with an ETA? Seems a little haphazard to not have a general sense of when your package should be coming in.

 

 

That was the first thing I thought.



#8 Offline InsideAntz - Posted February 6 2015 - 5:26 AM

InsideAntz

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 44 posts
  • LocationBensalem PA (Philadelphia)

Thanks Miles,

 

Hi Drew, he has been great with responding to my emails.

 

He did say it would be in the mail in 2 days in his last email so long as the weather cooperated, so i guessed the weather was difficult. I know we got hit hard in PA.

 

Just want to add again, he is great with responding to emails - didn't want to sound like I was bashing :( 


  • BugFinder likes this

#9 Offline Mercutia - Posted February 6 2015 - 5:42 AM

Mercutia

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 621 posts
  • LocationToronto, Canada

I'm not sure if I could wait over a month for my package. @o@


  • BugFinder likes this

#10 Offline InsideAntz - Posted February 6 2015 - 6:32 PM

InsideAntz

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 44 posts
  • LocationBensalem PA (Philadelphia)

Just an update:

 

Tar heel antz sent me the shipping notification and tracking information earlier today (ETA Monday). He upgraded my order to include "Museum Glass" which is going to look Amazing! He threw in the museum glass along with extra supplies and T-shirts for my kids...

 

Very classy and very nice.

 

We exchanged a few genuine emails today; he made a loyal customer and a new friend. 

 

Would absolutely recommend.


  • BugFinder likes this

#11 Offline dean_k - Posted February 6 2015 - 6:35 PM

dean_k

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 845 posts
  • LocationWaterown, Ontario, Canada

Museum Glass in my opinion is a worthy upgrade. It makes taking video so much easier with far less reflections.


  • BugFinder likes this

#12 Offline InsideAntz - Posted February 9 2015 - 7:09 PM

InsideAntz

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 44 posts
  • LocationBensalem PA (Philadelphia)

Nice! I received my order today and like a kid, i left work early when my wife called telling me it arrived in the mail  :yahoo:

 

Wow... this is put together nice. The museum glass really does make a huge difference.

 

As soon as I can, I'll post pics.  


  • BugFinder and Miles like this

#13 Offline Chromerust - Posted February 9 2015 - 10:11 PM

Chromerust

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 305 posts
  • Locationsouthern California
I'm anxious to see it now......drum roll

#14 Offline Miles - Posted February 10 2015 - 8:12 AM

Miles

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 541 posts
  • LocationFlorida & Arizona

As soon as I can, I'll post pics.  

Don't forget! Can't wait to see what you got.


PhD Student & NSF Graduate Research Fellow | University of Florida Dept. of Entomology & Nematology - Lucky Ant Lab 

 

Founder & Director of The Ant Network. Ant keeper since 2009. Insect ecologist and science communicator. He/Him.





1 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 1 guests, 0 anonymous users