5 replies to this topic

[zlez93]

Have a few different hydration mechanisms I am potentially going to use in some nests I make in the future. This thread will just be a compilation of them all!

The motivation behind this is to approximate how long it will take for a nest to dry out and be required to refill, being very busy with my life I often forget about my ants. So mechanisms that keep hydrated for more than two weeks are perfect.

 

My room humidity is about 40-45%

 

Summary:

 

Method                           Day 1     Day 3     Day     5     Day 7

Sponge Water Tank + Hydrostone  90-95%

 

 

 

The 1st to be tested is inspired by one of Drews Formicarium builds.

Edited by zlez93, February 25 2018 - 6:17 AM.

[zlez93]

1st step was to create the port where the sponge will contact. This was a really fast fixup so it's very far from perfect.

 

Cut out a hole in what is supposed to be the nesting chamber and inserted the sponge that is connected to the water tank (again is not perfect, if I was making a proper formicarium I would use a sealed container for the water tank.)

 

 

 

 

 

I experienced problems getting the port to rest down properly on the sponge. So I used the hygrometer as a weight on the port before putting the lid on the chamber.

 

 

 

I actually punched a few holes into the nesting chamber lid for ventillation.

A quick touch of the surface of the port shows it's clearly wet so it's working as intended so far.

Edited by zlez93, February 25 2018 - 6:22 AM.

[zlez93]

One problem I am likely going to experience doing this for real is getting a decent cut of the cellulose sponge. How does everyone else cut theirs ?

[noebl1]

Not sure if you saw this thread: http://www.formicult...h2o-h2o2-naclo/

 

Unfortunately hydrostone will dissolve after awhile if water (like from a sponge) is constantly going thru it.  Drew posted about it, and I found the same problem.  I used well water, and in less than a year the hydrostone had dissolved quite a bit unfortunately.  Check out his new bisque tiles techniques.

[zlez93]

Not sure if you saw this thread: http://www.formicult...h2o-h2o2-naclo/

 

Unfortunately hydrostone will dissolve after awhile if water (like from a sponge) is constantly going thru it.  Drew posted about it, and I found the same problem.  I used well water, and in less than a year the hydrostone had dissolved quite a bit unfortunately.  Check out his new bisque tiles techniques.

 

 

Thanks for this info.

 

Unfortunately I am limited with materials, however despite the dissolving issue I might still go ahead and make some nests as with the way I was planning on making them should make it easy to remove the port and fill it back up with hydrostone as I'm hoping that I can rotate through nests before it completely deteriorates

Edited by zlez93, February 25 2018 - 1:14 PM.

[KBant]

Drew, that you?