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Firebrick Formicarium

Started By M_Ants , Sep 10 2020 11:09 AM

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52 replies to this topic

#21 Offline Ants_Dakota - Posted October 30 2020 - 8:27 AM

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wow. looks great!


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Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. -Proverbs 6: 6-8

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#22 Offline ANTdrew - Posted October 30 2020 - 9:52 AM

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Looks awesome, but if you want it CrematoProof, I'd honestly just silicone that glass on. Also put a ring of mounting putty around where you insert the nest-mate.


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"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#23 Offline MinigunL5 - Posted October 30 2020 - 12:39 PM

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Looks awesome, but if you want it CrematoProof, I'd honestly just silicone that glass on. Also put a ring of mounting putty around where you insert the nest-mate.

Why? Do they chew through stuff like Tetras?


#24 Offline ANTdrew - Posted October 30 2020 - 12:47 PM

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Yes, probably even worse.
"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#25 Offline Devi - Posted October 30 2020 - 12:48 PM

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I would say definitely worse... Lol
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#26 Offline MinigunL5 - Posted October 30 2020 - 1:07 PM

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Yes, probably even worse.

oof


#27 Offline Cephalotus - Posted October 30 2020 - 1:44 PM

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May I ask how you made that water tower?


#28 Offline M_Ants - Posted October 30 2020 - 1:46 PM

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I used a plastic cylinder thing that used to hold a little candle I think. I just epoxied mesh on with some two part epoxy. For the parts where it didn't stick perfectly I just used a little super glue. 


Edited by M_Ants, October 30 2020 - 3:23 PM.

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Veromessor pergandei

Veromessor andrei

Crematogaster sp. 

Pogonomyrmex cf cali and rugosus

Various Pheidole

C. yogi 

https://www.youtube....FG7utFVBA/about

#29 Offline M_Ants - Posted October 30 2020 - 2:17 PM

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Looks awesome, but if you want it CrematoProof, I'd honestly just silicone that glass on. Also put a ring of mounting putty around where you insert the nest-mate.

Do you permanently silicone it on?


Veromessor pergandei

Veromessor andrei

Crematogaster sp. 

Pogonomyrmex cf cali and rugosus

Various Pheidole

C. yogi 

https://www.youtube....FG7utFVBA/about

#30 Offline ANTdrew - Posted October 30 2020 - 3:42 PM

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I had to with my Nucleus. Removable glass is meaningless for them because if I ever took off their glass it would be antmageddon in my living room.
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"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#31 Offline MinigunL5 - Posted October 30 2020 - 3:59 PM

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I had to with my Nucleus. Removable glass is meaningless for them because if I ever took off their glass it would be antmageddon in my living room.

But then in't hard to clean once they move out?


#32 Offline M_Ants - Posted October 30 2020 - 4:04 PM

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How do you move them out then?  


Edited by M_Ants, October 30 2020 - 4:04 PM.

Veromessor pergandei

Veromessor andrei

Crematogaster sp. 

Pogonomyrmex cf cali and rugosus

Various Pheidole

C. yogi 

https://www.youtube....FG7utFVBA/about

#33 Offline MinigunL5 - Posted October 30 2020 - 4:09 PM

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How do you move them out then?  

Wdym? How would it change their ability to be moved out?


#34 Offline M_Ants - Posted October 30 2020 - 4:11 PM

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You could dump the colony out into an outworld of a new formicarium if you can take the glass off. How do people normally move ants out of mini hearths?


Veromessor pergandei

Veromessor andrei

Crematogaster sp. 

Pogonomyrmex cf cali and rugosus

Various Pheidole

C. yogi 

https://www.youtube....FG7utFVBA/about

#35 Offline ANTdrew - Posted October 30 2020 - 4:14 PM

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Silicone is only semi-permanent. It would be relatively easy to pry it off if I wanted to. I honestly don’t plan on moving my Crematogaster out of the Nucleus, just add on new formicariums with tubing.
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"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#36 Offline Devi - Posted October 30 2020 - 4:27 PM

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Silicone is only semi-permanent. It would be relatively easy to pry it off if I wanted to. I honestly don’t plan on moving my Crematogaster out of the Nucleus, just add on new formicariums with tubing.

That's smart...  It prevents breakouts, and the ants would rather have added nests instead of new nests at least in my experience.  :)


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#37 Offline ANTdrew - Posted October 30 2020 - 6:09 PM

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You could dump the colony out into an outworld of a new formicarium if you can take the glass off. How do people normally move ants out of mini hearths?

To move ants out of mini-hearths, I place the mini-hearth in a larger outworld and open the plugs, so the ants can start exploring. After a few days, I remove the glass. That’s usually enough to get the colony to move.
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"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#38 Offline UtahAnts - Posted December 18 2020 - 8:49 PM

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Exactly same issue! Is there any good firebrick? Or any better hydration system?

I have already posted this, but I put my firebrick formicariums in a 1/2 centimeter dish of water. This allows the firebrick to soak up water but at the same time not let it sit in the water for an extended period of time, as it will evaporate within a day or two. I also put pockets of plaster down inside the nest to allow for a material gradient the ants can choose. It also works as a great moisture indicator.

Maybe there is a better system like a water tower or something, idk, maybe this will give you some ideas.


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Leave the Road, take the Trails - Pythagoras

 

Utah Ant Keeping --- Here

DIY Formicariums and Outworlds --- Here

Honeypot Ant Journal --- Here

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#39 Offline westhollywoodant - Posted June 22 2022 - 10:33 PM

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This was a good thread to read! 

I just recently made a few formicariums with Firebrick. I have been trying to bore out trenches and fill with peat moss or a sponge to allow for the moisture to hold longer. Still experimenting.

But I built this one and used some sculpting clay to make the brick look like a log or piece of wood - ish. haha 

Made this with the intention of putting a Camponotus colony in it. As a dry tolerant species I think it might work well. 

2a.jpg

3.jpg

2b.jpg

3a.jpg

4.jpg

5.jpg


Edited by westhollywoodant, June 22 2022 - 10:34 PM.

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#40 Offline westhollywoodant - Posted June 22 2022 - 10:38 PM

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This thread is couple years old so curious, have you guys had any long term success with a firebrick formicarium? 


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