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

Question about grout nest!


  • Please log in to reply
7 replies to this topic

#1 Offline jsg994 - Posted May 21 2018 - 12:16 PM

jsg994

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 31 posts
  • LocationSt. Louis

So I was interested in making my own grout nest.  I read that it was better for humidity to do the unsanded grout (if anyone has any input on this that would be awesome).  Also, should I just mold into a solid block and then carve out tunnels and rooms or take something like putty (not really sure whether to use regular putty or blu tack or what) and place that material in the shape of the tunnels/rooms and then pour grout?  First time doing this so any input would be great!  This would just be a nest that I would vinyl tube to an out world!

 

p.s. this is for tetramorium tsushimae

 

Thanks,

Jeff



#2 Offline Penguin - Posted May 21 2018 - 12:33 PM

Penguin

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 147 posts
  • LocationToronto, ON

Check out this Thread by Crystals 


  • jsg994 likes this

I'm here to learn, mostly. 

:hi:


#3 Offline CNewton - Posted May 21 2018 - 12:37 PM

CNewton

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 118 posts
  • LocationBatavia, NY

So, I just did this with my formicarium. You can probably find it in there somewhere, I need to update it. Unsanded grout absorbs water better than Sanded grout (though it's still slow to wick). I carved as well as molded rooms. Molded rooms are smooth and clean. I did not like the look. It just -looks- manufactured. I think it also is hard for water to wick because of the texture or maybe the residual oils, but this is unproven. The carved rooms give you a ton of freedom to decide how you want them to look and lets you change on the fly. I think it looks nicer and and has a texture for grip and maybe better wicking. Make sure you carve before it fully cures or your grout block could crack. Penguin just pointed out CrystalS's tutorial, and it's great.  

 

 

TL:DR, I think clay molding is easy, but carving looks nicer.


  • jsg994 likes this

#4 Offline jsg994 - Posted May 21 2018 - 12:54 PM

jsg994

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 31 posts
  • LocationSt. Louis

What would you recommend to carve?  I have a dremel but have seen videos with people just using flathead screwdriver and hammer.  How long after pouring can I start to carve? I have seen that tutorial before of Crystals but I must have forgotten.  Thanks for pointing it out!



#5 Offline jsg994 - Posted May 21 2018 - 1:15 PM

jsg994

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 31 posts
  • LocationSt. Louis

I was thinking something like this... https://imgur.com/iVa4C2v



#6 Offline KBant - Posted May 21 2018 - 1:52 PM

KBant

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 426 posts
  • LocationLos Angeles, CA

http://www.formicult...ut +formicarium

 

here is the guide i made. 


  • jsg994 likes this

#7 Offline jsg994 - Posted May 22 2018 - 2:32 PM

jsg994

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 31 posts
  • LocationSt. Louis

UPDATE!  So decided to use the dremel instead of the clay and think it turned out ok!  Some bubbles in the grout but other then that I am pretty happy with it!  Thanks for the help  https://imgur.com/rYICG4S



#8 Offline jsg994 - Posted May 26 2018 - 6:59 AM

jsg994

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 31 posts
  • LocationSt. Louis

So I was wondering if there is a safe adhesive to use for the vinyl tubing that will connect to the grout nest?  I have tried the aquarium silicon but if you just wiggle the tubes a tiny bit the silicon unsticks.  Should I just use some hot glue, super glue, epoxy?  I used the aquarium silicon to great effect on attaching the glass to the front of my nest but it just doesn't seem like enough and I don't want to get ants in there and have the route to their outworld fall off!  Thanks for any advice!






0 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users