345 replies to this topic

[Buckets]

@dpsdrew What is this container you have your queens in? It looks really simple and sleek.

 

[dspdrew]

BoxBox brand. You can get them from the Container Store.

[Buckets]

BoxBox brand. You can get them from the Container Store.

How's that thing in the middle work? I looked through this thread, but didn't see anything for it

Edited by Buckets, March 30 2017 - 10:25 PM.

[dspdrew]

BoxBox brand. You can get them from the Container Store.

How's that thing in the middle work? I looked through this thread, but didn't see anything for it

 
Wrong thread. You need https://www.formicul...ated-3-18-2017/.

[dspdrew]

Final results of all tests (except the compressed powdered vermiculite) in order from lowest water holding capacity to highest water holding capacity.

 

Clay dirt - 13.4g

Loose milled sphagnum moss - 14.8g

Powdered perlite - 19.7g

Loose vermiculite - 20.0g

Sphagnum moss - 23.5g

Loose powdered vermiculite - 23.5g

Compressed milled sphagnum moss - 26.0g

Compressed vermiculite - 26.2g

Compressed powdered vermiculite - 27.0

PVA sponge - 28.2g

 

The compressed powdered vermiculite test has only been going for one day.  I'll update this list tomorrow once the test has been going for 48 hours.

 

The PVA sponge blew everything else away, but it's just too hard to form, and it's not fluid, which can pose a problem with the water transfer from the hydrostone bottom to the sponge. I really wish I could easily powderize a PVA sponge.

Edited by dspdrew, April 2 2017 - 4:51 AM.

[Leo]

drew the scientist

[dspdrew]

drew the scientist

 

Drew, the man with the best possible hydration medium.

[Leo]

 

drew the scientist

 

Drew, the man with the best possible hydration medium.

 

haha 

[Antking117]

Anyone can become a scientist

[dspdrew]

Lots of dirt shacks.
 

 
 
I made two white ones. Everything is white--the lids, the plugs, the inner container, and the substrate. In one I mixed powdered perlite with white sand, and in the other I mixed white clay with white sand. I'll see which one works the best.
 
In the pictures the substrate is soaked, so it's not pure white.
 

 

 

[nurbs]

Lots of dirt shacks.
 

 
 
I made two white ones. Everything is white--the lids, the plugs, the inner container, and the substrate. In one I mixed powdered perlite with white sand, and in the other I mixed white clay with white sand. I'll see which one works the best.
 
In the pictures the substrate is soaked, so it's not pure white.
 

 

 

 
 
Love that white one! Hope the substrate works.

[sgheaton]

drew the scientist

Ha.

 

The all white substrate will be awesome when honeypots with different colors move in! Still personally liking the...."not dirt" boxes you've got over these for some reason. Not sure why either. I'm going to be weird like that, sorry. 

For the lid there, how'd you (more or less) adhere the screen? Glue layer on the underside?

Edited by sgheaton, April 18 2017 - 5:47 AM.

[dspdrew]

drew the scientist

Ha.
 
The all white substrate will be awesome when honeypots with different colors move in! Still personally liking the...."not dirt" boxes you've got over these for some reason. Not sure why either. I'm going to be weird like that, sorry. 

For the lid there, how'd you (more or less) adhere the screen? Glue layer on the underside?

 
It's held in by a snap-in frame.
 

 

 

[sgheaton]

Awesome. Thank you. I just need to take some time again and reread all your stuff. 

[Keymo]

Hi Drew! Do you have a thread that you regularly, or just to updates on your wood box design? Loving this entire thread, just found it this morning, but that wood box design is almost exactly what I've been imagining for my "ideal" Camponotus setup for over a year with all the technical things I never really thought of worked out. Would love to see updates and the ants progress as I, without a queen yet, have a long, long time to go before I get to enjoy something like that of my own. Haha!

[dspdrew]

Hi Drew! Do you have a thread that you regularly, or just to updates on your wood box design? Loving this entire thread, just found it this morning, but that wood box design is almost exactly what I've been imagining for my "ideal" Camponotus setup for over a year with all the technical things I never really thought of worked out. Would love to see updates and the ants progress as I, without a queen yet, have a long, long time to go before I get to enjoy something like that of my own. Haha!

 

The wood in that nest is mostly gone now. I haven't done any more work with the wood ones since, but I plan to.

[PTAntFan]

BoxBox brand. You can get them from the Container Store.

Rounded corners FTW.

[dspdrew]

[Goldsystem]

Jeez that's a lot, they look great though

Edited by Goldsystem, June 13 2017 - 7:08 AM.

[dspdrew]

Finished designing the large ones.