264 replies to this topic

[UtahAnts]

These formicariums were based on the 3-sided prototype above, with some modifications. Each has 2 entrance ports and a top-side water refill tube. Plexiglass sheets were used for the coverings. Perfect Cast has gone done in price at my local retailer so I've been able to make the last few builds, including this one, for a good price.

 

 

Design 01

 

Design 02

 

 

 

 

Design 03

 

 

 

Design 04

 

 

 

A view of the cross piece from below:

 

 

Design 05

 

 

 

[FinWins]

I’ve thought of that same idea too!!!

[Canadant]

These formicaria and outworlds are all fantastic. Great job.

[Ants_Dakota]

keep up the experimentation! I hope you are fine with me dabbling in attempting to make some of these formicariums you made? Also, how do you cut your glass and plexiglass?

[UtahAnts]

keep up the experimentation! I hope you are fine with me dabbling in attempting to make some of these formicariums you made? Also, how do you cut your glass and plexiglass?

 

I cut my glass by scoring it with a simple glass cutting tool. I cut the plexigalss with an electric band saw.

[UtahAnts]

Here's a personal project for one of my small Pheidole colonies. This design would fit most small colonies and large founding queens. 

 

I wanted to try something new regarding hydration and so instead of a water tower, I used more of a direct hydration system. Basically water is inserted into an internal reservoir where it is distributed to the rest of the formicarium by soaking the material. I filled about half of the reservoir up with sand to help maintain humidity longer. The top of the reservoir also has a seal, to prevent water saturated with particles from seeping into the colony's living space.

 

If you look closely you may also note a slight demarcation along the bottom. I don't know if it will work yet but the line is supposed to serve as a barrier of sorts to stop water reaching the bottom of the formicairum and potentially making the surface underneath wet. I also like how the tubing port is hidden from above, it gives the formicarium a nice aesthetic.

 

The images below show how the internal water reservoir was created, as well as the final product. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ANTdrew]

Very nice! How do you get the nest out of the box mold once it sets?

[UtahAnts]

Thanks, the mold walls are slightly at an incline which helps the formicarium slide out, not to mention the box is flexible.

[UtahAnts]

Another small Perfect Cast formicarium, with viewing ports on the top and side. I returned to the sand plaster technique for this one, giving the chamber a rough and natural aesthetic.

 

This design would work great for almost any species. I plan to move a small honeypot colony into this one after the current Pheidole colony outgrows it. The lighting from the top will make the repletes seem to glow when viewed from the side window.

 

 

 

 

[ANTdrew]

Masterful!

[Torqui]

Wow amazing build's! But how did you find the outworld for the small formicarium? Mind sharing me a link? 😅

Edited by Torqui, September 24 2022 - 4:47 PM.

[UtahAnts]

Wow amazing build's! But how did you find the outworld for the small formicarium? Mind sharing me a link? 😅

 

Dollar store has it all, link here.

[EthanNgo678]

These look awesome! How long do you let the nests cure before moving ants into them? 

[UtahAnts]

These look awesome! How long do you let the nests cure before moving ants into them? 

Perfect cast hardens and cures relatively quickly, so only a day or so after the initial pour.

[UtahAnts]

Colony Updates

 

Here're some images of colonies thriving in personal formciariums featured on the thread.

 

Horizontal Chamber nest V1

The Pogonomyrex occidentalis colony in this is growing rapidly, they will have over a hundred workers within the next two weeks. They really seem to enjoy the coated chambers and the view from top prevents them from defecating on the glass.

 

 

 

 

 

Dual view formicarium

A 2-week old pheidole colony, the queen laid a large batch of eggs soon after moving in from their test tube.

 

 

 

 

 

Dual view terraced pot formicarium

The mexicanus colony in this one is growing rapidly, easily outpacing my other colony in a THA mini hearth. It's very easy to take pictures from both the top and side. The largest replete is often hanging with the queen.

 

 

[UtahAnts]

Some red-sand molded flat nests, these were made with extra large chambers to accomodate large species.

 

 

[UtahAnts]

Here's a smaller 3 tiered formicarium based on the original for a customer's growing Tetramorium colony.

 

I haven't been pointing it out on the past few formicariums, but I've started implementing sunken water towers. The ants and larvae seem to appreciate it when the water tower is partially covered, especially around the edges. This does limit the effectiveness of the old "light under the water tower trick", but I think the tradeoff is worth it, espcially in horizontal formicariums where there isn't really a need for an external light source.

 

 

[UtahAnts]

This formicarium was for a customer's growing Pogonomyrmex colony. This was a replica of the original horizontal nest with more chambers. The same "sand-plaster" technique was used, by combining perfect cast and a mix of red sand and clay, allowing the harvesters to have coated adobe-like chambers as they would in the wild. This technique also limits the amount of loose sand, seeing as the sand is directly integrated into the casting material directly rather then being glued on. The chambers were very dry when I took these images, so they look a bit light. When hydrated they become noticeably dark red, an easy way to gauge humidity in the nest.

 

 

 

Closeup on the sand plaster on the chamber walls. The surfaces were "roughed" to increase traction for the ants. Notice the chamber-level water tower.

 

 

[T.C.]

I love the colors of the chambers. By the way, what size mesh are you using on the water towers? The holes in it look fairly large, but it could just be the picture.

[UtahAnts]

I love the colors of the chambers. By the way, what size mesh are you using on the water towers? The holes in it look fairly large, but it could just be the picture.

100 Micron, which is small enough to stop all ants from falling through. I've recently switched over to 120 Micron just to be safe though.