264 replies to this topic

[MrPurpleB]

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.

This looks amazing, as do most of your formicariums. What material did you use for the hydration? Like a clay or ?

Compared to the water tower, were you able to spot any pros and cons assuming you have been able to use it.

[UtahAnts]

I used clay to cast the internal chamber, sorry I should have specified that in the original post. I covered the top of the chamber with a layer of perfect cast, leaving a single hydration tube in the back.

 

Compared to the water tower, this method hydrates the formicarium for only a day or two, so the water tower is superior in that regard. The demarcation line does seem to stop water loss out of the bottom of the formicarium.

[MrPurpleB]

No worries. I never built a formicarium so I tend to miss a lot on common techniques or just expectations.

So I guess you removed the clay, and now the water hydration is an empty cavity? How difficult was it to remove the clay?

Additionally, how does the demarcation line work? Is the formicarium part below the demarcation line a second cast?

Sorry, for all these questions I tend to struggle understanding lots of the mechanics of building anything haha.

Thanks again!

[UtahAnts]

No worries, I'm always happy to answer questions. The clay was not hard to remove with a bamboo skewer, especially when it was cooled down beforehand. I refilled the hydration chamber with sand and poured another thin layer over the reservoir, sealing it off. I washed out most of the sand through the hydration tube, leaving a large chamber with some sand to maintain humidity longer.

 

The demarcation happens naturally when a second layer is poured on the previous layer after it has hardened. So I made the initial pour in the casting container, and then poured another layer while the formicarium was still in the container, purposefully waiting until the first layer had hardened enough.

Edited by UtahAnts, October 21 2022 - 4:01 PM.

[MrPurpleB]

Thank you, I was unaware that making two different layers, can help keep one layer drier. That is pretty interesting!

 

Thanks, I think I have a better grasp of the hydration chamber. I first thought the white circle on the finished product was clay, haha.

[UtahAnts]

Large horizontal formicarium for a growing Pogonomyrmex colony. About twice as large as the previous formicariums at around 5.5 by 7.5 inches and 16 chambers.

 

Calling these horizontal formicariums is kind of vague, so I'm looking for name suggestions.

 

 

 

[T.C.]

When I see these nests, canyons come to mind. But that doesn't really flow off the tongue.  Beautiful Nest either way.

[Locness]

I like names that are descriptive, so something like "the flat 16 chamber" or "the flat 4x4 chamber" would help me easily identify the product in a product line. That formicarium is looking clean 

[ANTdrew]

The red sand mAntsion - flat, then nest dimensions.

[ANTdrew]

Or HorizAnt Red Sand Nest, then dimensions.

[T.C.]

I said "mantsion" once and nobody got it. It was just sad.

[ANTdrew]

I said "mantsion" once and nobody got it. It was just sad.

Kids…

[Katla]

Hey nice work !

What mold material do you use for your casts ?
with the sand coating also.

[UtahAnts]

Hey nice work !

What mold material do you use for your casts ?
with the sand coating also.

 

Thank you, I saw your Myrmecocystus setup, it looks just like their native environment, well done! To answer your first question, I use wood or flexible plastic containers as molds.

I'm not entirely sure what you mean by the sand coating but I never glue sand onto the chambers. I either use sand to directly mold the chambers or apply a mix of sand and casting material after the initial pour.

[Katla]

i meant the negativ you use to poor the cast over

[UtahAnts]

I see, I use non-toxic clay to shape the chambers.

[UtahAnts]

I like the name suggestions, keep 'em coming if you can think of any more.

 

Here's some more custom builds. The first one was a two layered formicarium for a customer's Camponotus vicinus colony. I used fine grain white sand, two water reservoirs, and a model container from Hobby Lobby.

 

 

 

Alternative lighting

 

 

 

The other order was some 5x5 red sand nests for large species. Used medium grain red desert sand, and two water reservoirs and tubing ports apiece.

 

 

 

Edited by UtahAnts, November 10 2022 - 4:14 PM.

[UtahAnts]

A 5x7.5 inch "mANTsion" with deep chambers for a large Pheidole bicarinata colony. This formicarium will hopefully resist any breakout attempts under the glass. You may also notice some agate pebbles incorporated into the walls. I'm trying some new designs soon, using a similar technique. The images don't quite do this one justice as I was rushed trying to ship it out before my postal store closed.

 

 

[UtahAnts]

Another custom. It was supposed to be modeled after a THA labyrinth, with a 5x7 inch nest block. This one was designed for a large Tetramorium colony, so I tried to incorporate arbitrary tunnels and chambers. The outworld features a Utah sandstone cross section which should function great as a feeding area of sorts.

 

 

[T.C.]

That looks really good, but how do you know when to add water?