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Matt's Myrmecia tarsata enclosure.


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59 replies to this topic

#1 Offline Mathiacus - Posted November 23 2014 - 11:31 PM

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This will be somewhat of a mega build for me. I picked up a 4 foot aquarium for cheap ($40).b6ab812513fc8b3bc9952f45d6b390ec.jpg Ill try to make a journal of the build if you guys and gals are interested 😉


Edited by Mathiacus, December 8 2014 - 5:22 AM.


#2 Offline Mathiacus - Posted November 23 2014 - 11:34 PM

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I have the block to carve already but I need to run to the dreaded bunnings for some more staples for the staple gun and 4 900mm lengths of pine to make the two lids. I already have the mesh from the last lid.

Off topic a bit but I have designed (in my head) a way to have a "stream" running through it but it is something ill have to do once I'm settled in my own house rather than a rental.

#3 Offline dspdrew - Posted November 24 2014 - 7:45 AM

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That's a huge tank! You should do what I plan to do, and put the nest down below the tank in that extra space. Mine will have a cabinet with doors so they will stay in the dark.



#4 Offline Mathiacus - Posted November 24 2014 - 8:07 AM

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I have one of those already...Posted Imageblock is covered by that tea towel behind the tank.. is that huge one I likked ages ago.

#5 Offline Crablord - Posted November 24 2014 - 2:39 PM

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Id interested in a build guide.

#6 Offline Mathiacus - Posted November 24 2014 - 10:33 PM

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Posted Imagethe carving is 95% done. Just have to test fit and smooth some surfaces. After that comes the chipping away to make the blocks look more organic.

#7 Offline Mathiacus - Posted November 24 2014 - 10:35 PM

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Posted Imageit fits well. All the carving was done with a flat bladed screwdriver. I have found this to be the absolute best tool for the job.
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#8 Offline Gregory2455 - Posted November 24 2014 - 11:09 PM

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That is a pretty genius design. Looks like Oz Ant's.



#9 Offline Mathiacus - Posted November 24 2014 - 11:19 PM

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Yes. Is heavily inspired by his one. A corner block is the most logical layout though.

#10 Offline Oz Ant - Posted November 24 2014 - 11:56 PM

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Nice one looking good mate! I'm honoured you've used my nest as inspiration and looking forward to see how yours turns out.

 

Have you got your watering system sorted?

 

I found setting up hydration to be the trickiest part. Be careful your surrounding substrate isn't too deep and/or gets wet as they're likely to start tunnelling outside the beautiful nest you've carved for them and you'll never see them!



#11 Offline Mathiacus - Posted November 25 2014 - 12:05 AM

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I an going to back fill the gap behind the block with soil, over the layer of soil will be a mesh layer then a bit more soil. I plan to grow grass on the mound.

#12 Offline Oz Ant - Posted November 25 2014 - 12:10 AM

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That sounds really cool!

 

Just keep in mind that they will prefer to nest in damp soil than a hebel block and they are very determined. If you get the mesh to be a really good fit it should work but I had to re-model mine 3 times because they found ways to nest in the dirt.

 

Eventually I made all of the landscape out of styrofoam and just did a thin layer of dirt on top of it.



#13 Offline Gregory2455 - Posted November 25 2014 - 12:48 AM

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@Oz Ant, What do you use to stain your hebel/ytong?



#14 Offline dspdrew - Posted November 25 2014 - 6:37 AM

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Lookin' good so far. I definitely want to see how this turns out.



#15 Offline dean_k - Posted November 25 2014 - 7:33 AM

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Nice one looking good mate! I'm honoured you've used my nest as inspiration and looking forward to see how yours turns out.

 

Have you got your watering system sorted?

 

I found setting up hydration to be the trickiest part. Be careful your surrounding substrate isn't too deep and/or gets wet as they're likely to start tunnelling outside the beautiful nest you've carved for them and you'll never see them!

 

I am looking to make one like yours as well. But my problem right now is which spp I should put it in. I'd love bull ants but I have absolutely no access to bull ants, so I am considering my options.


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#16 Offline Chromerust - Posted November 25 2014 - 9:58 PM

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I am ridiculously jealous :-o


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#17 Offline Oz Ant - Posted November 25 2014 - 11:37 PM

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@Gregory I used red ochre



#18 Offline Mathiacus - Posted November 26 2014 - 12:19 AM

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This nest will kow be for a better, bigger species. Once she is identified I can say what she is.

#19 Offline Oz Ant - Posted November 26 2014 - 5:56 AM

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Better and bigger than Myrmecia? How's that possible lol

#20 Offline Mathiacus - Posted November 26 2014 - 6:03 AM

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Bigger and better than M.nigrocincta. M.tarsata.
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