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(first attempt) to make formicarium with plaster


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9 replies to this topic

#1 Offline Leo - Posted January 5 2017 - 4:31 AM

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hi,

 

For starters i am plain BAD at making formicariums, so if i am doing anything wrong pls tell me.

 

p.s. the pictures come out sideways so please tilt your head  :wink:

 

just started by pouring into mould and then removing clay and plaster


Edited by Leo, January 5 2017 - 4:33 AM.


#2 Offline T.C. - Posted January 5 2017 - 7:45 AM

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First mistake, Using Plaster. I suppose if this is your first time using plaster and you are just learning I suppose this is fine. However may i recommend hydrostone or grout? I had made two plaster nests, and the first one my camponotous had chewed through it. My second one i let sit on a shelf for a month with no ants in it and it molded by itself? I personally do not use it anymore unless if I am testing something or doing some kind of temporary experiment. It might work for a while though... what species do you want to put in it? :)


Edited by T.C., January 5 2017 - 10:13 AM.

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#3 Offline Reacker - Posted January 5 2017 - 1:41 PM

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Plaster has been successfully used for keeping ants for decades. Other materials may be better in few or many respects but that doesn't change the fact that plaster is a suitable ant keeping medium for many use cases. 



#4 Offline 1000101011 - Posted January 5 2017 - 2:01 PM

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you can't be doing too much wrong i made my first formicarium out of a tic tac box. 


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#5 Offline Leo - Posted January 6 2017 - 12:43 AM

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First mistake, Using Plaster. I suppose if this is your first time using plaster and you are just learning I suppose this is fine. However may i recommend hydrostone or grout? I had made two plaster nests, and the first one my camponotous had chewed through it. My second one i let sit on a shelf for a month with no ants in it and it molded by itself? I personally do not use it anymore unless if I am testing something or doing some kind of temporary experiment. It might work for a while though... what species do you want to put in it? :)

i only found plaster



#6 Offline antgenius123 - Posted January 6 2017 - 12:49 AM

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May I recommend plaster of paris


 
Currently own:
(1x) Camponotus Sp.
(1x) Pheidole aurivillii (?)
(1x) Monomorium Sp. (?)

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#7 Offline Leo - Posted January 6 2017 - 5:07 PM

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well the packet said that it contains plaster of paris



#8 Offline Leo - Posted January 8 2017 - 4:23 PM

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i made a little hole on the side as hydration, also my dad promised that if this formicarium works i am allowed to buy Pheidologeton diversus and anochetus and patrichena longicordnis, but i have to use my pocket money


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#9 Offline Alabama Anter - Posted January 8 2017 - 5:48 PM

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Oh wow! I hope things work out for you! Fantastic species! Make a journal on them! Good Luck!


YJK


#10 Offline Leo - Posted January 8 2017 - 6:26 PM

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thanks!  :)






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