25 replies to this topic

[Jimmydave937911]

Hi Guys,

First ever formicarium for my Lasius Niger. Made from AAC, Perspex lid, non-toxic acrylic paint, non toxic blu-tac (although will be replacing with magnets. 3 x watering holes to keep the nest humid. 2 x entrance holes. I’m assuming we’re all good?
I’ll be honest, really like how the paint job came out and apparently it locks in the moisture as well.
Thoughts guys? Thanks

https://drive.google...ew?usp=drivesdk

https://drive.google...ew?usp=drivesdk

[Zeiss]

Looks good, but please learn to embed your images to your posts.

 

You can either upload the image by URL or by hosting it here on FC.

[Jimmydave937911]

Apologies Zeiss, how do I embed the images?

[Jimmydave937911]

That’s better...

Attached Images

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[Barristan]

Hi,

 

looks great, ants will like it.

 

How many times did you paint the nest? You probably used Acrylic paint, right?

[ANTdrew]

Looks great! Just make sure the plastic fits really tightly, so the tiny Lasius can’t slip out. I’d actually not recommend the magnets for tiny ants. I would glue it on with silicone.

[Zeiss]

Thank you!

 

You can use silicone to level everything off and make a softer surface for the lid.  On my formicaria, I usually use neodymium magnets and this silicone seal, no need to keep it down permanently as it will make cleaning harder.

 

As for the hydration ports, you may want to put some sponge or something in there to retain humidity longer than it absorbing immediately.  Some other people could weigh in on this.

[Jimmydave937911]

Thanks for the replies guys. I initially was going to use aquarium sealant but surely that would seal it down permanently, thus making it hard/impossible to clean? Is the silicone you mentioned the same thing?
@Barristan I painted the nest twice with slightly watered down acrylic paint, I’m assuming this is ok (it’s definitely non-toxic).
As you guys my have noticed this is my first formicarium so please keep the tips and advice coming :-D

[Zeiss]

Aquarium sealant is usually aquarium safe silicone.

[ANTdrew]

Lasius are very fast growing ants. That nest is small enough that by the time it needs cleaning, you could just move them into something bigger. For my colonies of fast growing ants, the idea of removing glass to clean is a fantasy. All holy heck would break loose!!!

[Jimmydave937911]

Yeah I thought that about cleaning ANTdrew. I’m planning to make another one to be honest for when the colony grows.
Still confused about what to do with the lid though? If silicone is the same as sealant I’d rather not seal it permanently down? Unless silicone can be removed? Sorry!!

[ANTdrew]

Aquarium sealant is probably just 100% silicone. You could do your magnets and then just put a bead of sealant around the glass as a back up. You’d be able to pry that off when you wanted to. You blue tack would probably do the trick, too. I’m just not sure how annoying L. niger is about chewing through stuff.

[Serafine]

Looks great. I like the design and the choice of color

[Jimmydave937911]

Thanks again Drew. I’ll probably give them one more lot of money and get some mealworms and leave it at that until the workers arrive.
On a side note this forum seems to be more popular than AntsCanada as I’ve posted a few things on there and not got much of a reply? Is this one of the best forums out there?

[ANTdrew]

This forum is far, far more active than AC. A majority of folks on there are very inexperienced, too.

[Jimmydave937911]

Brilliant thank you, in your opinion is this one of the most active? Apologies for all the questions by the way, haven’t really got much out of anyone in the other forums I’ve looked at :-D

[ANTdrew]

Yes, it is, by a country mile.

[Jimmydave937911]

In that case you haven’t heard the last of me lol! Thanks for all the info

[Jimmydave937911]

Last question to do with this formicarium. Is it worth putting a shallow layer of sand inside? Thanks

[ANTdrew]

Not really necessary, but it could increase their comfort a bit.