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Can Pogonomyrmex Chew Through Hydrostone?

pogonomyrmex formicariu hydrostone

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12 replies to this topic

#1 Offline Antennal_Scrobe - Posted August 26 2019 - 11:50 AM

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I just designed a 3D printed formicarium mould to use in the future for Pogonomyrmex occidentalis. I am planning on using hydrostone rather than grout to cast the nest, because my previous grout nest attempt did not absorb water at all. I'm pretty sure that the durable Tarheel Ants formicaria are made out of the same stuff, but I don't know for sure, and I need to know if my harvester ants would be able to chew through it or not.


Currently keeping:

 

Tetramorium immigrans, Pogonomyrmex occidentalis

Myrmica punctiventris, Formica subsericea

Formica pallidefulva, Aphaeogaster cf. rudis

Camponotus pennsylvanicus

Camponotus nearcticus

Crematogaster cerasi

Temnothorax ambiguus

Prenolepis imparis


#2 Offline PacificNorthWestern - Posted August 26 2019 - 3:24 PM

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I don't think Pogonomyrmex's can chew through that stuff or any ant for the matter. 


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#3 Offline Antennal_Scrobe - Posted August 26 2019 - 3:26 PM

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Good. 


Currently keeping:

 

Tetramorium immigrans, Pogonomyrmex occidentalis

Myrmica punctiventris, Formica subsericea

Formica pallidefulva, Aphaeogaster cf. rudis

Camponotus pennsylvanicus

Camponotus nearcticus

Crematogaster cerasi

Temnothorax ambiguus

Prenolepis imparis


#4 Offline Kaelwizard - Posted August 27 2019 - 4:36 AM

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It depends on what kind of hydrostone.
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#5 Offline Antennal_Scrobe - Posted August 27 2019 - 8:31 AM

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So would this one work for ants? https://plaster.com/...usg-hydrostone/


Currently keeping:

 

Tetramorium immigrans, Pogonomyrmex occidentalis

Myrmica punctiventris, Formica subsericea

Formica pallidefulva, Aphaeogaster cf. rudis

Camponotus pennsylvanicus

Camponotus nearcticus

Crematogaster cerasi

Temnothorax ambiguus

Prenolepis imparis


#6 Offline Roy3 - Posted August 27 2019 - 10:01 AM

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So would this one work for ants? https://plaster.com/...usg-hydrostone/

It says in description that it has a high water absorption resistance. So I'm not sure if it means it can absorb any water at all. But you can try it but add in some crushed Perlite to the mixture like Crystal S shows in one of her grout making tutorials. That should help.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

#7 Offline Antennal_Scrobe - Posted August 27 2019 - 10:09 AM

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If anyone here has used hydrostone before, I would like to know what exact product it was.


Currently keeping:

 

Tetramorium immigrans, Pogonomyrmex occidentalis

Myrmica punctiventris, Formica subsericea

Formica pallidefulva, Aphaeogaster cf. rudis

Camponotus pennsylvanicus

Camponotus nearcticus

Crematogaster cerasi

Temnothorax ambiguus

Prenolepis imparis


#8 Offline TennesseeAnts - Posted August 27 2019 - 1:08 PM

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So would this one work for ants? https://plaster.com/...usg-hydrostone/

It says in description that it has a high water absorption resistance. So I'm not sure if it means it can absorb any water at all. But you can try it but add in some crushed Perlite to the mixture like Crystal S shows in one of her grout making tutorials. That should help.
Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

That is in large quantities. Small amounts, (Like in 99.99% of ant projects) it absorbs water readily.
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#9 Offline Antennal_Scrobe - Posted August 27 2019 - 1:38 PM

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So my 8 inch by 2 inch nest would work fine? With the brand of hydrostone I indicated?


Currently keeping:

 

Tetramorium immigrans, Pogonomyrmex occidentalis

Myrmica punctiventris, Formica subsericea

Formica pallidefulva, Aphaeogaster cf. rudis

Camponotus pennsylvanicus

Camponotus nearcticus

Crematogaster cerasi

Temnothorax ambiguus

Prenolepis imparis


#10 Offline YsTheAnt - Posted August 27 2019 - 4:09 PM

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I personally use the Hard Rock brand from eBay. Works great.
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#11 Offline Antennal_Scrobe - Posted August 27 2019 - 4:25 PM

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Can I see some of the nests you have made? 


Currently keeping:

 

Tetramorium immigrans, Pogonomyrmex occidentalis

Myrmica punctiventris, Formica subsericea

Formica pallidefulva, Aphaeogaster cf. rudis

Camponotus pennsylvanicus

Camponotus nearcticus

Crematogaster cerasi

Temnothorax ambiguus

Prenolepis imparis


#12 Offline dspdrew - Posted August 28 2019 - 5:51 AM

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When stated that it is resistant to water absorption, I think this is more of a subjective statement based on the common use of Hydrostone, because as far as I'm concerned, it absorbs water quite well. It is very slow to absorb water, and does not hold a whole lot, but it does have very strong capillary action.

 

Whether ants can chew through it or not, depends on how it's mixed, and how long the ants have to chew on it. I have yet to see any ants make a dent in anything of mine made from Hydrostone.

 

I also use the Rock Hard brand.


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#13 Offline Antennal_Scrobe - Posted August 28 2019 - 7:38 AM

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How large should the hydration chamber be? The one I designed is a 2 cm by 2.5 cm cylinder in the middle of the nest. The nest is intended for Pogonomyrmex occidentalis.


Currently keeping:

 

Tetramorium immigrans, Pogonomyrmex occidentalis

Myrmica punctiventris, Formica subsericea

Formica pallidefulva, Aphaeogaster cf. rudis

Camponotus pennsylvanicus

Camponotus nearcticus

Crematogaster cerasi

Temnothorax ambiguus

Prenolepis imparis






Also tagged with one or more of these keywords: pogonomyrmex, formicariu, hydrostone

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