New Out World

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MadVampy
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New Out World

Post: # 20634Post MadVampy
Fri May 05, 2017 2:18 am

So it was about time to build a new out world for my larger Solenopsis colony. Stopped by Hobby Lobby and Lowe's and picked up a few things. Was considering getting some plastic plants and such but I wanted to keep it basic and also I'll be doing a 55gal aquarium nest/outworld later and that's when I'll get crazy with all the extras! :P

Basketball display case
20' of 1/2" poly tubing
10Lbs of sanded grout and mixing bucket
Already had the aquarium gravel.

Tools: Drill with step bit, glue gun, sharpie marker,

Here's a step by step of the build.

Materials
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Marked spots for two holes on each side of the container
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Using the drill with the step bit I made holes for the 1/2" poly tubing to go into
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Cut 2 10" pieces of tubing
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Inserted tubing and used glue gun to hold in place. One side angled up and the other straight in (used a metal driver bit to hold it straight).
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Tilted the enclosure so the grout would be high on one side to create a hill.
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Mixed grout
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Poured in the grout slowly to reduce splashing and also allowing it to flow to one side, I then used a paint stick to form it.
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Made sure the tubing was plugged with paper towels to keep grout out while I formed it around the tubing.
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Evenly spread out the gravel and tamped it into the wet grout to set it in place.
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Allowed it to set up (dry) for a few hours and then dumped out the lose gravel and pulled the plugs out and trimmed the tubing down.
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And this is pretty much the finished product.
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MadVampy

Head Forum Admin
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Name is also Mike but please don't confuse me with Mikey Bustos, two different people. :lol:
Keeper of Solenopsis Ants. :twisted:

xTNxANTMANx
Posts: 416
Joined: Tue Oct 04, 2016 9:03 am
Location: Western Tennessee

Re: New Out World

Post: # 20636Post xTNxANTMANx
Fri May 05, 2017 2:39 am

I like it. I am also planning on using an aquarium but just a 10 gallon :-). I am in the process of locating the right bit to drill the hole(s) in the glass but think I may have located what I want. I can't wait to do that project when the time comes!
Keeping:
Camponotus subbarbatus
Formica pallidefulva x2
Formica subsericea x4
Lasius sp
Tetramorium immigrans x2
Dorymyrmex bureni

Founding:
Formica pallidefulva
Unknown sp x2

User avatar
MadVampy
Main Forum Admin
Posts: 931
Joined: Wed Jul 22, 2015 6:19 am
Location: Alabama
Contact:

Re: New Out World

Post: # 20637Post MadVampy
Fri May 05, 2017 2:42 am

Thanks. Diamond bits work best on glass. Also you can take it by a glass shop and they can cut the holes for you and you don't have to worry about buying the bit and taking a chance on cracking or breaking the glass.
MadVampy

Head Forum Admin
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Name is also Mike but please don't confuse me with Mikey Bustos, two different people. :lol:
Keeper of Solenopsis Ants. :twisted:

xTNxANTMANx
Posts: 416
Joined: Tue Oct 04, 2016 9:03 am
Location: Western Tennessee

Re: New Out World

Post: # 20638Post xTNxANTMANx
Fri May 05, 2017 2:48 am

I'm honestly not to sure if there is a glass shop close to where I live. Not that I have heard of anyway. Plus, I want to buy the bit(s) for future builds as well. I will have to look into a glass shop though. I could be wrong and there just so happen to be a place within close proximity.
Keeping:
Camponotus subbarbatus
Formica pallidefulva x2
Formica subsericea x4
Lasius sp
Tetramorium immigrans x2
Dorymyrmex bureni

Founding:
Formica pallidefulva
Unknown sp x2

ANTphibian

Re: New Out World

Post: # 20648Post ANTphibian
Fri May 05, 2017 10:49 am

That looks awesome :D

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