22 replies to this topic

[gs5248]

This morning I received hydro stone from amazon, and I tried to make a formicarium. Unfortunately it was a bad batch, and did not harden. It would be expensive getting for hydrostone, so I was thinking about using grout. However I am confused. Some places I hear that grout is not absorbent, and some places I hear that grout is so absorbent that it dries out eggs and larvae! Also, would be acceptable to hydrate grout with a sponge?

Edited by gs5248, February 18 2021 - 3:48 PM.

[B_rad0806]

Hydrostone is much better than grout. Its what is used on pretty much all of my nests. Also are you sure you made the hydrostone correctly?

[gs5248]

Yes I think I did.

Edited by gs5248, February 18 2021 - 3:22 PM.

[ANTdrew]

Try mixing it one part water to three parts hydrostone. I bet it will harden correctly then. Put the water first, then slowly add in the hydrostone while mixing thoroughly.

[gs5248]

Ok, I will try try that until my hydro stone runs out. After that I still need to use grout or some different material, since hydro stone is just a littlie expensive for me.

Edited by gs5248, February 18 2021 - 3:57 PM.

[ANTdrew]

Do you have a Hobby Lobby near you? Try Perfect Cast. It’s way cheaper hydrostone.

[Ants_Dakota]

there are 2 kinds of grout, sanded and unsanded. sanded is by far cheaper, but is non absorbent, and unsanded is more expensive, but absorbent. polyblend is the brand i use, and their unsanded works just fine for formicariums.

[gs5248]

there are 2 kinds of grout, sanded and unsanded. sanded is by far cheaper, but is non absorbent, and unsanded is more expensive, but absorbent. polyblend is the brand i use, and their unsanded works just fine for formicariums.

 

 What type of watering system do you use?

[gs5248]

Do you have a Hobby Lobby near you? Try Perfect Cast. It’s way cheaper hydrostone.

I did not know I could find it there. I saw perfect cast on amazon, but it was the same price of 15 dollars but only for only 2 pounds.

Edited by gs5248, February 18 2021 - 4:49 PM.

[ANTdrew]

4 lb bag of Perfect Cast is $8.99 at my local Hobby Lobby.

[gs5248]

I guess I will just find a hobby lobby then.

[UtahAnts]

Just a quick tip with hobby lobby, every time I visit, I use the 40% off coupon. It allows you to take the most expensive item in your cart and get a great discount on it! Unfortunately, this coupon which has been going on for a very long time, is expiring at the end of this month. Just look it up, it's a weekly ad and completely free. It has saved me many a dime and nickel over the years...

[ANTdrew]

Just a quick tip with hobby lobby, every time I visit, I use the 40% off coupon. It allows you to take the most expensive item in your cart and get a great discount on it! Unfortunately, this coupon which has been going on for a very long time, is expiring at the end of this month. Just look it up, it's a weekly ad and completely free. It has saved me many a dime and nickel over the years...

Yes! I was going to mention that. I get an ad in my newspaper each Saturday.

[gs5248]

Does perfect cast expand like hydro stone does?

[ANTdrew]

Yes it does. I can’t compare it precisely, though.

[gs5248]

I took your advice and a 3 to 1 ratio of hydrostone, and it did harden. However, there was a layer of top, is that normal?

[ANTdrew]

I took your advice and a 3 to 1 ratio of hydrostone, and it did harden. However, there was a layer of top, is that normal?

A layer of what?

[gs5248]

Oh, sorry, I must have accidentally typed it wrong. I mean that there of water on top of the dried hydro stone before I took it out of the mold container.

Edited by gs5248, February 19 2021 - 5:22 PM.

[ANTdrew]

That always happens. Just let it dry fully.

[gs5248]

Really? I thought it all dried together.

Edited by gs5248, February 19 2021 - 5:22 PM.