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The_Gaming-gate's Ant Nest Design

Started By The_Gaming-gate , Apr 4 2024 3:30 PM
formicarium research guidance nest farm ant farm

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#1 Offline The_Gaming-gate - Posted April 4 2024 - 3:30 PM

The_Gaming-gate

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I found an interesting tutorial on using plaster to make ant nests and decided to cast my own formicaria. I'm planning to use PerfectCast for this purpose. My first design is a 4" x 6" shaped formicarium, with a pretzel shaped carving. In the middle of it, there is a central chamber. I imagine some harvester species would use it to store to store seeds. To the side of the nesting area, will be a standard hydration chamber with foam which you could pour water into. I'm going to make a prototype as soon as I can, although this will be my first time using PerfectCast to create a formicarium.

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Edited by The_Gaming-gate, April 4 2024 - 3:33 PM.

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Ants are small creatures... but together... they can rule the world.

 

 

 

#2 Offline GOCAMPONOTUS - Posted April 4 2024 - 3:55 PM

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looks like a good design, but I would add two ports to go in and out.


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Currently keeping
1.Camponotus vicinus. 5 workers
2.Camponotus modoc. 5 workers
3. Camponotus hyatti. 1 worker
4.Veromessor pergandei. founding
5 Linepithema humile. 70-100 workers 5 queens
6. Pheidole Californica. 65 workers
I want: Atta,Myrmecia,Myrmica,Myrmecocystus

#3 Offline The_Gaming-gate - Posted April 4 2024 - 4:37 PM

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looks like a good design, but I would add two ports to go in and out.

There are already two ports. Any other problems you see with this design?


Ants are small creatures... but together... they can rule the world.

 

 

 

#4 Offline GOCAMPONOTUS - Posted April 4 2024 - 4:48 PM

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I would make the tunnels a little wider 1-2cm wider.



Currently keeping
1.Camponotus vicinus. 5 workers
2.Camponotus modoc. 5 workers
3. Camponotus hyatti. 1 worker
4.Veromessor pergandei. founding
5 Linepithema humile. 70-100 workers 5 queens
6. Pheidole Californica. 65 workers
I want: Atta,Myrmecia,Myrmica,Myrmecocystus

#5 Offline The_Gaming-gate - Posted April 4 2024 - 5:48 PM

The_Gaming-gate

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I would make the tunnels a little wider 1-2cm wider.


Got it.

Ants are small creatures... but together... they can rule the world.

 

 

 

#6 Offline Artisan_Ants - Posted April 5 2024 - 11:43 AM

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Just a little tip (I made this mistake before). Make sure the water reservoir is next to the hydration chamber (not that the design lacks that of course). Good luck!
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Keeping:

3x - S. molesta 

1x - C. chromaiodes

2x - F. pallidefulva

2x - C. cerasi

1x - B. depilis

2x P. imparis (colonies) 3x P. imparis queens (1x queen in test tube, 3x queens in test tube, and 6x queens in another test tube. Can't wait to see the results!)

 

Check out my C. chromaiodes journal here: https://www.formicul...aiodes-journal/

#7 Offline The_Gaming-gate - Posted April 5 2024 - 2:55 PM

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Just a little tip (I made this mistake before). Make sure the water reservoir is next to the hydration chamber (not that the design lacks that of course). Good luck!


Thanks! I’d hate for the poor ants to dry out!

Ants are small creatures... but together... they can rule the world.

 

 

 

#8 Offline ANTdrew - Posted April 6 2024 - 9:24 AM

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I do not recommend directly watering nests. Make water towers with mesh and plastic cups instead.
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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.

#9 Offline The_Gaming-gate - Posted April 6 2024 - 9:27 AM

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I was intending on using some sponge or foam or something. Does that still count as direct hydration?

Ants are small creatures... but together... they can rule the world.

 

 

 

#10 Offline ANTdrew - Posted April 6 2024 - 4:24 PM

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Yes. Direct hydration is a very antiquated and inconsistent hydration method. Making water towers is very easy and far more consistent.
"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#11 Offline The_Gaming-gate - Posted April 6 2024 - 7:02 PM

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Yes. Direct hydration is a very antiquated and inconsistent hydration method. Making water towers is very easy and far more consistent.

I'll look into it.


Ants are small creatures... but together... they can rule the world.

 

 

 

#12 Offline The_Gaming-gate - Posted April 7 2024 - 4:50 AM

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Yes. Direct hydration is a very antiquated and inconsistent hydration method. Making water towers is very easy and far more consistent.



How exactly do the towers work? Are they removable, or is there a hole for syringes?

Ants are small creatures... but together... they can rule the world.

 

 

 

#13 Offline Flu1d - Posted April 11 2024 - 5:44 AM

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Yes. Direct hydration is a very antiquated and inconsistent hydration method. Making water towers is very easy and far more consistent.

How exactly do the towers work? Are they removable, or is there a hole for syringes?
You basically put it into the nest where you want it, and pour the Plaster around it. Yes, you can make a tiny hole for a syringe, which is what most folks do.

I use a 1/16 in bit for my syringe holes, syringes fit perfectly.

Edited by Flu1d, April 11 2024 - 5:46 AM.

#14 Offline The_Gaming-gate - Posted April 11 2024 - 11:25 PM

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Yes. Direct hydration is a very antiquated and inconsistent hydration method. Making water towers is very easy and far more consistent.

How exactly do the towers work? Are they removable, or is there a hole for syringes?
You basically put it into the nest where you want it, and pour the Plaster around it. Yes, you can make a tiny hole for a syringe, which is what most folks do.

I use a 1/16 in bit for my syringe holes, syringes fit perfectly.


Thanks! I think I’ll try adding water towers to one of my other designs (a Mini Hearth looking thing).

Ants are small creatures... but together... they can rule the world.

 

 

 

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