625 replies to this topic

[madbiologist]

I think lighter colors like grey and unpainted on the inside, and vibrant on the outside, kinda like aus ants nests!

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

[CatsnAnts]

Also forgot to mention how I attached the sand to the walls - I used a grout mixture and smeared it on the walls before packing sand into the tunnels.

[M_Ants]

Did you buy the sand?

[CatsnAnts]

Did you buy the sand?

Yes, it’s all natural white beach sand.

[AntsDakota]

Formicarium Progress

I have finally figured out a way to add sand onto the walls of my formicarium!

The initial prototype that I posted some time (about a week ago), has had many small revisions and tweaks done to it, and there are many more I plan to do. For starters, I am now using a proportioned mix of sanded and un-sanded grout to increase durability but also keep absorption and ventilation. I am also going to sand down the sharp edges of the glass (I sliced my fingers at least 3 times while working with it), kind of an obvious thing to do. I’m also planning on making the water-reservoir’s enterance a bit steeper so it can be filled up just a little bit fuller. The larger sizes will now contain two water reservoirs, and finally, when pouring it, I plan on trimming down the frame so I can get a perfectly level bottom. (As a bonus, I might paint the outside, what colors would you guys prefer? I’m more of an aesthetic person with whites and grays, but I know a lot of people like vibrant colors such as greens and blues.) Here’s some pictures after I got done adding sand to the walls (it’s still a little wet, but the color should return to a light bone once it drys, I’ll take more photos later once it does (also, this is still the original prototype [that blue tape is to keep sand out of the water reservoir/mesh]):


And of course, I will clean up any rough spots/excess sand. This process did take quite a while, so it might affect the prices slightly. I want your opinions.

Also, all of the F. pallidelfulva workers from the experiment were released back into their wild colony today.

Looks great! What are you thinking of naming these formicariums?

Edited by AntsDakota, July 7 2020 - 2:57 PM.

[CatsnAnts]

Looks great! What are you thinking of naming these formicariums?

Well, for starters, I plan on having 8 different kinds. There will be 4 sizes, and each size will either be suited for small species or larger species (tubing, tunnel, and chamber size). The name for now is probably going to be something generic, such as simply calling it what it is - Ex. Temnogrid 4x5 Formicarium Sp. Size Small.

Edit: I also don’t have any other plans for other formicaria right now, as these are modular and are meant to be a “forever home”.

Double edit: now that I think about it, a size 5 3/4 x 6 3/4 is simply too big, so I will only have three sizes.

Edited by CatsnAnts, July 7 2020 - 3:44 PM.

[Antkid12]

The formicarium looks nice! 

[TechAnt]

Looks like its near the beach / in the sand. I thought of "Coastal Hideaway" or "The Dunes Treasure" (I'm bad at making names lol)

[madbiologist]

Looks great! What are you thinking of naming these formicariums?

Well, for starters, I plan on having 8 different kinds. There will be 4 sizes, and each size will either be suited for small species or larger species (tubing, tunnel, and chamber size). The name for now is probably going to be something generic, such as simply calling it what it is - Ex. Temnogrid 4x5 Formicarium Sp. Size Small.

Edit: I also don’t have any other plans for other formicaria right now, as these are modular and are meant to be a “forever home”.

Double edit: now that I think about it, a size 5 3/4 x 6 3/4 is simply too big, so I will only have three sizes.

Are those sizes in inches?

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

[CatsnAnts]

Looks like its near the beach / in the sand. I thought of "Coastal Hideaway" or "The Dunes Treasure" (I'm bad at making names lol)

Those are actually some pretty good names!

Looks great! What are you thinking of naming these formicariums?

Well, for starters, I plan on having 8 different kinds. There will be 4 sizes, and each size will either be suited for small species or larger species (tubing, tunnel, and chamber size). The name for now is probably going to be something generic, such as simply calling it what it is - Ex. Temnogrid 4x5 Formicarium Sp. Size Small.
Edit: I also don’t have any other plans for other formicaria right now, as these are modular and are meant to be a “forever home”.
Double edit: now that I think about it, a size 5 3/4 x 6 3/4 is simply too big, so I will only have three sizes.

Are those sizes in inches?
Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

Yes, I will have three sizes (each with a small and large species option)

2 3/4” x 3 3/4”

3 3/4” x 4 3/4” (this is the size of the of the prototype, the extra 3/4” includes the lip around the outside)

4 3/4” x 5 3/4”

[TechAnt]

Those are actually some pretty good names!

 

Thanks!

[CatsnAnts]

As promised, here’s the final result after the sand/grout dried. I do realize that this nest has a few hairline cracks/chips in it, but switching to a majority of sanded grout should easily fix that problem (also, letting it dry for a day longer before taking it out of the mold). I may paint this nest a yellow or green on the outside just to see how it looks. I will also be starting on the next formicarium soon, but first I need to prepare a few things/change some things. We’ll see if they’re at “selling standard”, but I’d like to run a few tests on the next formicarium as well, so it likely won’t be “sellable” until the third formicarium (plus, I need some formicaria for my own use, so I’ll be using the prototypes):



(Brighter lighting):




And just a heads up, I will only be making the 3 3/4” x 4 3/4” and the 4 3/4” x 5 3/4” formicaria to start off with. I will, however, have both options for small and large species. So in total, I will be making 4 types of nests for a while until I can “expand” my stock. I’ve been thinking on the price, and I’ve decided that I’m going to keep the prices the same ($36 and $48) for the smaller nest and larger nest respectively. I think it’s a reasonable price to ask for a hand-made piece, and I don’t want to make these something that is completely unaffordable. I am planning on having “sales” occasionally, too, so that should help for people that aren’t willing to spend much on formicaria. Just my thoughts.

Edit: why do I always think of something to say after I hit submit? Anyways, I also wanted to point out that these will be “ready to ship” formicaria, so you’ll see the finished product when you buy it.

Gosh Dang it - Double Edit: I also don’t know if I’m going to include extra sand now since the entire formicarium is coated in it (likely not).

Edited by CatsnAnts, July 8 2020 - 8:06 AM.

[TennesseeAnts]

Colobopsis do best in groups, right?

In my experience, yes, they do.

[CatsnAnts]

Colobopsis do best in groups, right?

In my experience, yes, they do.

To bad I can never find more than one, humph.

[madbiologist]

Missisippiensis won't even found if they aren't in a group.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

[TechAnt]

You should make one/two chamber founding formicariums, or outworlds, even All in One set-ups. I think, if you had more resources you could have a VERY successful ant keeping brand. Honestly this is some of the best custom formicaria made I have seen on the forum.

Edited by TechAnt, July 8 2020 - 8:28 AM.

[Kaelwizard]

If you paint it it may seal the cracks and then it will look even better than it already is.

[CatsnAnts]

Missisippiensis won't even found if they aren't in a group.
Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

That explains why mine never laid eggs

You should make one/two chamber founding formicariums, or outworlds, even All in One set-ups. I think, if you had more resources you could have a VERY successful ant keeping brand. Honestly this is some of the best custom formicaria made I have seen on the forum.

Thank you
I do actually plan on having the 2x3 formicarium as a sort of founding formicaria, because that’s the smallest size that a water tower will fit (and it would only have two chambers). As for outworlds, this has been on my mind for a while - they are relatively simple to make, so I don’t see why I couldn’t make some. Like I said, I’ll look into expanding my inventory if these first few formicaria are successful. As for making all-in-one’s, I feel like it would be stealing from THA, so I’m trying to focus my brand around modularity and expansion, such as even having two outworlds, one at each end of the nest lol. I, so far, have it to where different sized nests can build on one another up to a certain point.

If you paint it it may seal the cracks and then it will look even better than it already is.

That’s another reason why I wanted to paint it! I’m hoping to completely remove the cracks/chips altogether by creating a more durable mixture this next prototype, but ya, it will most definitely give it a nice feel/look on the outside.

[CatsnAnts]

Final Result

And here we have it, the final version of the prototype! That was one heck of a ride to complete, but I will go a lot smoother now that I have a process down. Again, the next version I make will be a LOT smoother and will look slightly nicer, but here is the formicarium with acrylic paint on the outside (color: apricot):



(Brighter light):




I’m honestly super happy with how the prototype turned out. Even if these don’t sell, I’ll most certainly be making some for myself

Edit: I also decided not to paint the interior because I might mess up, and I also really like the natural look of it.

Edited by CatsnAnts, July 8 2020 - 10:28 AM.

[TechAnt]

AWESOME! Would totally buy them if I were not getting TarHeel stuff, and if I had a colony that needed the room.