I am new to keeping ants and I'm planning my first formicarium. I have access to a laser and 3d printer so I decided to design my own. I think this design will work but I wanted to get input before I put it together.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/yUTwgxXGxpPnptvU8
This is for tetramorium ants.
Will this setup work?
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Re: Will this setup work?
Whoa! What deigning program did you use? Auto desk?dustbunnycatcher wrote: ↑Sun Jul 17, 2022 7:39 pmI am new to keeping ants and I'm planning my first formicarium. I have access to a laser and 3d printer so I decided to design my own. I think this design will work but I wanted to get input before I put it together.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/yUTwgxXGxpPnptvU8
This is for tetramorium ants.
I really love the canopy foraging area, but it seems your water chamber is a bit big for 3d Printed material. I am not sure if it will rise, or if it will not. May want to put the water chambers on the side, as that way you know they will get water. What is your measurements in? Mm? Inches? Cm? What do you plan as an outworld “glass”? I have had experience with acrylic, which worked out pretty well. What is the nest made out of?(3d, printed, hydrostone, ytong, plaster, etc). If it’s 3d printed make sure to use PLA. Pretty sure it’s biodegradable.
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Re: Will this setup work?
I am using Rhino for my modeling. I only bought it a couple of months ago and I'm still trying to learn how to use it.
I will be using acrylic because a laser can't cut glass, unfortunately.
I have a resin 3d printer that I was thinking of making the nest area out of but I am having second thoughts because I don't want the resin to poison them.
I was thinking of printing out the nesting box then making a silicon mold from it. Then use the mold for hydrocal. But that is way more work than just 3d printing it.
The water is my biggest issue. I don't want to flood the nest and I can't find much information on best practices for adding water.
The measurements are in inches.
I will be using acrylic because a laser can't cut glass, unfortunately.
I have a resin 3d printer that I was thinking of making the nest area out of but I am having second thoughts because I don't want the resin to poison them.
I was thinking of printing out the nesting box then making a silicon mold from it. Then use the mold for hydrocal. But that is way more work than just 3d printing it.
The water is my biggest issue. I don't want to flood the nest and I can't find much information on best practices for adding water.
The measurements are in inches.
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- Posts: 2402
- Joined: Sun Dec 12, 2021 11:41 am
- Location: United States, Florida
Re: Will this setup work?
Maybe make a plaster/hydrostone base? Water absorbs well in both these materials, and ants like them. Grout would also work btw.dustbunnycatcher wrote: ↑Mon Jul 18, 2022 11:20 amI am using Rhino for my modeling. I only bought it a couple of months ago and I'm still trying to learn how to use it.
I will be using acrylic because a laser can't cut glass, unfortunately.
I have a resin 3d printer that I was thinking of making the nest area out of but I am having second thoughts because I don't want the resin to poison them.
I was thinking of printing out the nesting box then making a silicon mold from it. Then use the mold for hydrocal. But that is way more work than just 3d printing it.
The water is my biggest issue. I don't want to flood the nest and I can't find much information on best practices for adding water.
The measurements are in inches.
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