625 replies to this topic

[madbiologist]

I'd seperate the Pheidole bicarinata queens, it's been tried in Ohio with lots of different groups of 2 and 3, none of the polygynous tubes made it to workers.

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[CatsnAnts]

I'd seperate the Pheidole bicarinata queens, it's been tried in Ohio with lots of different groups of 2 and 3, none of the polygynous tubes made it to workers.
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I was going to separate them if it weren’t for the large amount of queens I found last night. I only have 10 test tubes total, and this was the only group of P. bicarinata in their huge collection container that actually got along. I know they’ll probably fight, but I want to see where this goes. Thanks for the heads up though!

Edit: I am going to get more test tubes as well, 10 simply isn’t enough haha.

Edited by CatsnAnts, June 30 2020 - 7:51 AM.

[CatsnAnts]

Formicarium Prototype!

Alright! It is time for part two of my formicarium building! Of course, this formicarium will have a decent amount of flaws as it is only a prototype for the real one that I will improve from this design, however, this formicarium and the ones I sell will be near identical, but with a lot more clean edges and better craftsmanship (not to mention quicker speed since I have a process figured out now). Anyways, let’s get into it:

(Warning, lots of photos coming up!)

To start off with, I had to take the whole thing out of the mold. I figured the grout would need two days to dry, but a little over a day went by and it was solid. The molding frame came off really easily due to the olive oil I had coated it with, as well as the bottom piece of glass. However, the piece of glass that was inside of the “lip” remained stuck due to the putty/no air pockets. It took a while to get off, but I eventually figured out a solution, and it was to add a small “break” in the “lip” to where someone could stick their nail under to lift off the glass - it worked!

Next, I removed the modeling clay from the tunnels to reveal a somewhat smooth surface (I then sanded it to how I wanted it). I was definitely in shock with how well the water tower blended in to the surrounding tunnel’s floor. I do realize that some of the edges are chipped slightly, but I will try and avoid that on my next attempt.

(Pictures start here)

Then I used some epoxy to seal the vinyl tubing connection ports (for expansion and entrance), as well as the magnets onto the glass. Of course, I will only use a small ring of epoxy around the tubing next time to make it less visible. I used a q-tip this time which was a mistake:







That was basically it for the formicarium part of it, although it took quite a while to get down the process of making it. Next, I cut out a sheet a red film paper to fit over the top, as well as two pieces of 1/4” ID 3/8” OD vinyl tubing (the tunnel size in the formicarium is 1/4” as well (about 7mm)). These pieces of tubing simply fit into the ports with a tight connection and can be taken out at any time. I also decided to include a syringe (for hydration), and a small amount of sand which can lay on the floor of the tunnels (it looks nice, but I decided not to use epoxy due to the small grain size of the sand - the epoxy became to visible and the sand couldn’t cover it)

Now for the final result with all of the parts that I would ship (this is not for sale, it’s a test formicarium that I need to try out with live ants as well):







These next few show the glass attached:







Then, these next few photos show the formicarium with the recommended amount of sand placed inside:

Edited by CatsnAnts, June 30 2020 - 1:43 PM.

[CatsnAnts]

Part two of the post above since I couldn’t fit all of the pictures lol:

Then the sand in the tunnels with the glass pane attached via magnets:







And then the red film paper:





And then for the tubing (only one tube should be plugged in if no expansion is needed at the moment). This is the entrance tube:


This is the connection port (entrance can double as a connection port):


And the syringe being used in the back:




And here you can see the sand (I will find a small bag to put it in for shipment):



Now for my thoughts:
- I am most definitely going to make the grout mixture a little less viscous so that it flows better and reduces air bubbles. I will also use a toothpick to apply the epoxy resin around the tubing ports to get a lot more precision, and thus, make it less noticeable. I have a few more changes, but they are pretty self-explanatory such as me making the tunnels smoother or reducing the amount of “chipping”.


I would love your feedback! I am planning on making this formicarium $36 (3 3/4” x 4 3/4”) and the larger formicarium $48 (4 3/4” x 5 3/4”). These prices are subject to change, and they probably will. I still need to do more testing before any become available for sale.

Edited by CatsnAnts, June 30 2020 - 5:49 PM.

[TennesseeAnts]

That actually looks really good. I might steal a couple ideas... Your prototype looks a lot better than my prototype!

[TechAnt]

Wow, that is so beautiful even if you are going to change it, they seem like TarHeel top-of-the-line products! I give my applause, I would purchase one if I were not already getting stuff from TarHeel. Amazing job on it!

One suggestion though, if you were going to sell more, you should make different sized tubing for different species perhaps? Or like different nest styles for different genus. that's all I have to input.

[CatsnAnts]

That actually looks really good. I might steal a couple ideas... Your prototype looks a lot better than my prototype!

Haha go for it, it took a lot of planning to not get it to look like trash and thanks!

Wow, that is so beautiful even if you are going to change it, they seem like TarHeel top-of-the-line products! I give my applause, I would purchase one if I were not already getting stuff from TarHeel. Amazing job on it!

One suggestion though, if you were going to sell more, you should make different sized tubing for different species perhaps? Or like different nest styles for different genus. that's all I have to input.

Thanks for the kind words! I will definitely keep note of that suggestion and make different sizes when I make these “customizable” some time soon. Originally I planned on this line of formicaria to be made for smaller species in general (max size being Formica), but I can always make adjustments!

[TechAnt]

That actually looks really good. I might steal a couple ideas... Your prototype looks a lot better than my prototype!

Haha go for it, it took a lot of planning to not get it to look like trash and thanks!

Wow, that is so beautiful even if you are going to change it, they seem like TarHeel top-of-the-line products! I give my applause, I would purchase one if I were not already getting stuff from TarHeel. Amazing job on it!
One suggestion though, if you were going to sell more, you should make different sized tubing for different species perhaps? Or like different nest styles for different genus. that's all I have to input.

Thanks for the kind words! I will definitely keep note of that suggestion and make different sizes when I make these “customizable” some time soon. Originally I planned on this line of formicaria to be made for smaller species in general (max size being Formica), but I can always make adjustments!

Cool! I think you would be great at making Campontous formicaria, even just raising the height and length in tunnels for this Formicariaum you made. You know what, you can probably make a actual ant business out of this, oh and I had another suggestion, using non-toxic paint to paint the outside, but keeping the inside white. Like Aus Ants Formicaria.

[Kaelwizard]

This is AMAZING! I would buy it.

[CatsnAnts]

That actually looks really good. I might steal a couple ideas... Your prototype looks a lot better than my prototype!

Haha go for it, it took a lot of planning to not get it to look like trash and thanks!

Wow, that is so beautiful even if you are going to change it, they seem like TarHeel top-of-the-line products! I give my applause, I would purchase one if I were not already getting stuff from TarHeel. Amazing job on it!
One suggestion though, if you were going to sell more, you should make different sized tubing for different species perhaps? Or like different nest styles for different genus. that's all I have to input.

Thanks for the kind words! I will definitely keep note of that suggestion and make different sizes when I make these “customizable” some time soon. Originally I planned on this line of formicaria to be made for smaller species in general (max size being Formica), but I can always make adjustments!

Cool! I think you would be great at making Campontous formicaria, even just raising the height and length in tunnels for this Formicariaum you made. You know what, you can probably make a actual ant business out of this, oh and I had another suggestion, using non-toxic paint to paint the outside, but keeping the inside white. Like Aus Ants Formicaria.

I thought about painting it! It would definitely give it a smoother “feel” and a cleaner look. I will try painting this prototype and post back with how it looks (I’ll paint up to the edge of the lip like AusAnts), again, thanks for the suggestion!

This is AMAZING! I would buy it.

Thank you! I was a little worried about how it was going to turn out.

Edited by CatsnAnts, June 30 2020 - 5:42 PM.

[TennesseeAnts]

I would buy one too.

[madbiologist]

Heads up, the ants can actually see red, it's one of the biggest myths in antkeeping. Maybe an opaque cover would work better? Other than that, it looks amazing!!

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[NickAnter]

Excellent job!!! I too would buy this formicarium. I already have some of my own planned out though, and tomorrow will hopefully be able to see it come to fruition.

[CatsnAnts]

Heads up, the ants can actually see red, it's one of the biggest myths in antkeeping. Maybe an opaque cover would work better? Other than that, it looks amazing!!
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I thought about this, but doesn’t the red film reduce the color spectrum to only red light? Red light is technically the lowest visible light energy, so I would figure that the ants would mind less when someone checks on them. However, I’d say it’s main purpose is simply to reduce stress when checking on them. A more permanent cover will probably be needed, but I recommend just cutting a square out of black card stock, that’s what I do for my THA formicaria. I’ll think about adding a cover in the future, thanks for the suggestion and tip!

[CatsnAnts]

I would buy one too.

Excellent job!!! I too would buy this formicarium. I already have some of my own planned out though, and tomorrow will hopefully be able to see it come to fruition.

You guys are too kind, good luck on yours!

[madbiologist]

Heads up, the ants can actually see red, it's one of the biggest myths in antkeeping. Maybe an opaque cover would work better? Other than that, it looks amazing!!
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I thought about this, but doesn’t the red film reduce the color spectrum to only red light? Red light is technically the lowest visible light energy, so I would figure that the ants would mind less when someone checks on them. However, I’d say it’s main purpose is simply to reduce stress when checking on them. A more permanent cover will probably be needed, but I recommend just cutting a square out of black card stock, that’s what I do for my THA formicaria. I’ll think about adding a cover in the future, thanks for the suggestion and tip!

It does reduce the light to just red, but red is only our lowest spectrum of light, not ants'.

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Edited by madbiologist, June 30 2020 - 4:09 PM.

[RushmoreAnts]

It looks amazing! In how long do you estimate they will be sellable?

[CatsnAnts]

Heads up, the ants can actually see red, it's one of the biggest myths in antkeeping. Maybe an opaque cover would work better? Other than that, it looks amazing!!
Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

I thought about this, but doesn’t the red film reduce the color spectrum to only red light? Red light is technically the lowest visible light energy, so I would figure that the ants would mind less when someone checks on them. However, I’d say it’s main purpose is simply to reduce stress when checking on them. A more permanent cover will probably be needed, but I recommend just cutting a square out of black card stock, that’s what I do for my THA formicaria. I’ll think about adding a cover in the future, thanks for the suggestion and tip!

It does reduce the light to just red, but red is only our lowest spectrum of light, not ants'.
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Oh shoot, your right! I guess I’ll still leave the red clear paper included, I wonder if they have opaque sheets for sale?

Edited by CatsnAnts, June 30 2020 - 4:21 PM.

[CatsnAnts]

It looks amazing! In how long do you estimate they will be sellable?

It’s hard to say, but right now I’m hoping to have the next one be available for sale since I have built a working model - although, I need to wait to start on it until I test my prototype with live ants. Heck, the next one might not turn out quite how I wanted it and it might take till the 3rd or 4th attempt until I feel I have something that I’m happy with. It really all depends on how smoothly I can create/follow a process.

[Antkid12]

The formicarium looks great!

Edited by Antkid12, July 1 2020 - 4:16 AM.