5 replies to this topic

[cap_backfire]

OK guys... Some questions for the hive mind.   

I'm designing a one-off formicarium that I feel COULD be awesome but I need a few items from you-some ideas on where to find things I'll need in the construction of this.    Any help obviously will be greatly appreciated.   Like... SUPER appreciated.  

 

1:  Where would I get that blue foam stuff I see used in nests for hydration?  I would love to find it to figure it out myself.  I don't even know what it's called so am having a heck of a time finding it with a Google search.  

 

2:  Do you have a recommendation for tubing sizes or manufacturer?   

 

3:  If the majority of your setup looks "fabricated"/ 'fake' would you worry about a realistic outworld or keep with that look?  I know this question is subjective but... It is what it is.   I'm asking for responses and possible help with the esthetic of the thing.   

 

4:  If I have 1/8 inch between 'floor and ceiling" of the chambers, what ant would you recommend for something that size?  Could go to quarter inch but looking at 1/8 inch at this time.  But I'm open.   

 

Thanks again in advance!  

[cap_backfire]

OK so instead of sponges could I use hydrostone instead?  Like a plug of hydrostone for adding humidity?   I'm kind of pulling ideas from lots of different places.  

[ANTdrew]

Make a water tower. It’s ridiculously easy to do.

[cap_backfire]

Well... I will defintely be building a water tower, and one for the "outworld" but I need to add humidity to the multi-levelled chambers.   This design will be needlessly complex but look amazing if I can pull it off.  So I'm looking for a way to add  humidity to each chamber separately.   I may have mispoken by calling it a 'hydration chamber' or whatever I said earlier.  

[ANTdrew]

Hydrostone could work then. Even better if you mix it with perlite. That will look more natural than a blue sponge.
Edit: maybe post a drawing of what you’re envisioning?

Edited by ANTdrew, July 20 2021 - 11:49 AM.

[cap_backfire]

Love it.  Thanks, AntDrew.   

What I am proposing is to build something as close to the "molten aluminum ant hill casting" as I can get with acrylic and wood.   Wood because of cost effectiveness.   I'm still looking for someone to assist in laser cutting so we'll see.   
And I don't plan to start anything until at least after Christmas.  This COULD be a pipe dream but... It could also be completely awesome.  Also, completely and entirely over-complicated.