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My Hand at Some Formicarium Designs


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18 replies to this topic

#1 Offline Zeiss - Posted September 3 2018 - 3:04 PM

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So, I decided to try my hand at making Tar Heel Ants formicaria, as they are very simple to make and don't require much.  The two I had tried my hand at were the Atom and Mini Hearth, of course finding my own methods to making them and also modifying them.  

20180903 152825

 

The first one I'll show off is my version of the Atom nests Mack sells.  I call mine the Quark (science jokes), as the nest part is smaller than his, as I would only build these for tiny species.  I am currently keeping Solenopsis xyloni in this one and they're doing well.   

20180903 152834
 

This is where I water the nest.  Using a hypodermic needle, I just put it in through the hole and there is a little pool it sits in until it disperses through the hydrostone.  The magnet keeps the lid in place.

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Here is my version of the Mini Hearth.  Only a single hole is drilled into the chamber and it leads to the outworld above.  Magnets hold the glass in place.

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This is how I would put water into the water pool inside, just a hole drilled into the back, silicone some tubing in place, and use a hypodermic needle.  The silicone creates a self-sealing barrier so you don't need to worry about water leakage.

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If anyone wants tutorials or a list of supplies, I might post about it. 

 

May or may not sell my versions of these, I could always use the money for college, haha.  I have other formicariums planned, so those will be fun to make.  


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#2 Offline T.C. - Posted September 3 2018 - 3:37 PM

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Nice job.
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“If I am killed for simply living, let death be kinder than man.” -Althea Davis

#3 Offline PogoQueen - Posted September 3 2018 - 3:50 PM

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Looks professional! Very nice
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#4 Offline Derpy - Posted September 3 2018 - 4:10 PM

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Can you post a tutorial on the mini hearth please? Love the work!
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-1x Parasitic Formica Sp. Colony

-1x Pogonomymrex Californicus Colony

-1x Camponotus Hyatti Colony

 


#5 Offline KBant - Posted September 3 2018 - 4:12 PM

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Tutorial would be awesome
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#6 Offline Major - Posted September 3 2018 - 5:07 PM

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These are pretty nice! How much are you gonna sell them for?
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#7 Offline Zeiss - Posted September 3 2018 - 7:57 PM

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Nice job.

Looks professional! Very nice

Thank you!

 

Can you post a tutorial on the mini hearth please? Love the work!

Tutorial would be awesome

Yes, I can post a tutorial.  It might take me a bit though; I suck at getting around to posting things, haha.

 

These are pretty nice! How much are you gonna sell them for?

Well, antking117 came to me asking to buy some from me as he saw the progress pictures I'd show in chat.  I can't help but oblige because I need all the extra money I can get right now, haha.  I am selling the second one, which I have decided to call the Hole (thank you dspdrew, haha) for $30 without any special features and the first one, haven't calculated it out yet, but certainly not over $20 for the base stuff.

 

I did not really intend to market these designs, as they are piggy-backing off of Tar Heel Ants designs and I don't want to upset someone who does a beautiful job at making formicariums.  I started out making them because I wanted to remove and add some features I preferred over Mack's designs.  Plus, it's just fun to make these things.  I do hope to mess around with my University's 3D printer to get some test tube accessories in the works as well as produce other formicaria designs in the future.  As of now, I'm trying to get all of my honeypot ants out of their tubes (they do horribly in tubes) and into these Holes.  


Edited by Zeiss, September 3 2018 - 7:59 PM.

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#8 Offline Leo - Posted September 3 2018 - 8:40 PM

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​I DEMAND A TUTORIALLLLLL!


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#9 Offline Ikerrilove - Posted September 4 2018 - 4:51 AM

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Looks like they turned out great. I'm very curious about how you did the water tower.  I'll be keeping an eye out for the tutorial since I'll be trying to build a few formicariums  over the winter.



#10 Offline WeatherAnt - Posted September 5 2018 - 4:59 PM

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Looks great! I'd be interested in a tutorial and supply-list too! 



#11 Offline CelticWanderer - Posted September 9 2018 - 5:48 PM

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Tutorials and supply lists for sure Zeiss!! These look simplistic, easy to care for, and durable!

#12 Offline FSTP - Posted October 20 2018 - 11:09 PM

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Look great Zeiss!!!!!!!!!! More members should make thier own like these.

 

For those interested I have a journal on making similar ones.


Edited by FSTP, October 20 2018 - 11:13 PM.


#13 Offline Splat01 - Posted November 7 2018 - 10:16 AM

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I haven't been able to figure these out. I look forward to some advice.



#14 Offline Kalidas - Posted November 7 2018 - 11:06 AM

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Woah these look amazing. What do you use to make the mini hearth? I kinda want to make a larger version I have an idea for my future acromyrmex versicolor ants and my idea is based on the hearth design

#15 Offline AntsCalifornia - Posted November 7 2018 - 7:08 PM

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Woah these look amazing. What do you use to make the mini hearth? I kinda want to make a larger version I have an idea for my future acromyrmex versicolor ants and my idea is based on the hearth design

I don't know much about ants, but I believe the acromyrmex require more hydration than the mini hearth can offer due to the only hydration method being evaporation. Drew has some good acromyrmex builds you can buy from him.

 
Just wondering, what do you guys use for molds? Do you use the plastic case you put it in? I heard hydrostone expands while drying, so I don't know what to use for a mold.


#16 Offline rbaezam - Posted January 4 2019 - 10:11 AM

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A tutorial would be great! I'd like to know the materials used for the nests and also the water tower. 



#17 Offline Rick91y - Posted January 5 2019 - 12:16 PM

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Where did u find those containers?

#18 Offline Kevin - Posted January 5 2019 - 12:25 PM

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Where did u find those containers?

 

https://www.pioneerp...y-case/diecast/


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#19 Offline Rick91y - Posted January 5 2019 - 12:41 PM

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Thanks👍🏻




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