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Atta texana formicarium display and formicarium build !!!
Posted: Thu May 26, 2016 12:10 am
by Ieatflys
Hello everyone!
For years I have wanted to keep a leafcutter ant colony and dispite my previouse attempts to get a colony all have faild
. So here this winter I decided I am going to make a trip out of it and collect a (or hopefully some) colonie (s). The goal of this thread is to show how I build my setup so everyone can learn from what i have accomplished and Messed up on. Once I collect my colonies (hopefully here in two weeks) I will tie this thread into my "colony diary" for all to see! I have many pictures to upload and much to explain and little time so I will hopefully revisit this thread here in a few hours and learn how to upload photos and whatnot.
See you all soon enjoy!
Re: Atta texana formicarium display and formicarium build !!
Posted: Thu May 26, 2016 8:02 am
by Deansie26
Hi, looking forward to seeing what you post, be interesting seeing Texana.
Load photos via the photobucket website and not directly on to the forum and you will have to resize etc.
Once loaded to your photobucket account copy and past the IMG code for the photo onto your forum post and the picture will appear.
Re: Atta texana formicarium display and formicarium build !!
Posted: Thu May 26, 2016 6:52 pm
by Ieatflys
Thanks for the advice I have lots of pictures in going to post here soon... please keep in mind that my goal with this huild was not exactly perfection I have a budget set for this project and the actual trip for collecting is taking up allot of the budget. I will continue to upgrade this build as time goes on. I will be installing hygrometers and thermometer probes in ezch chamber as the colony gets bigger including the trash dump so that we may see how they regulate the temp and humidity in different areas of the colony in a laboritory setup!
Re: Atta texana formicarium display and formicarium build !!
Posted: Fri May 27, 2016 2:05 am
by Ieatflys
Im having some trouble getting photobucket to cooperate it wont load the edit page on any of the devices I have is there a way to add anything to the code or url I uploaded to manually chsnge the upload size?
Re: Atta texana formicarium display and formicarium build !!
Posted: Fri May 27, 2016 6:43 am
by Deansie26
If your using your you nmobile best use the app, works better.
Re: Atta texana formicarium display and formicarium build !!
Posted: Sun May 29, 2016 6:06 am
by Ieatflys
Re: Atta texana formicarium display and formicarium build !!
Posted: Sun May 29, 2016 6:45 am
by Ieatflys
Alrighty to my acrylic and boxes arrived here on Tuesday and I have since started on the nest boxes and connectors and whatnot. Ill share some pictures of what I have accomplished feel free to ask any questions or make any suggestions. some quick info i am using three different sized acrylic pipe with 1/4" wall and using acrylic weld solvent to make my connections. i am in the posses of making some connector ts and elbows(haven't started on the elbows yet).
I know these boxes are not ideal for starting colonies from young but they should work alright they are 4"x4"x5" a little less with the hydro-stone. in the future they will each be outfitted with individual hygrometers and thermometers.
As for the display case I have a few smaller things to do to it still... I have hung it on the wall but still need to shave the door down a bit so it closes all the way (it stays open about 1/4") install some air tightening mods to help with control over the air exchange. I still need to install the third row of lights, change my power supply, move the hear tape into a confined and easily controlled box, build a re-director shroud for the warm air supply, as well as do some testing on how well the heat is distributed through the display and choose the best spot for the temp sensor. other than that things seem to be coming into place despite the continuous recent flooding in the vicinity I am hoping to stay in two weeks... hopefully there are plenty of high ground away from the flood plains I can find young colonies and they haven't been wiped out yet!!!! wish me luck!!!
the nest boxes
recieved th acrylic pipes
1.5"id
1.0"id
.5"id
some cutting up for the boxes connectors.
cleaning up the cuts
welding on the connectors
pouring the hydrostone
this is how they look in the display hung on the wall ant lit
then I started to dremmel and weld the t collectors EXTREMELY TIME CONSUMING
I am hoping the elbows will be a simply 90 degree cut with some cleaning up of the cut before the weld
(Im using 3/4"id silicone hose for connectors cut very carefully.)
a custom modified box for a friend of mine who will be joined me on my Texas trip i hopes to help out and share some knowledge and whatnot!
Re: Atta texana formicarium display and formicarium build !!
Posted: Sun May 29, 2016 9:49 am
by RichardP
What an interesting project. Great work...It'll be interesting to see it in full operation. I like the lighting idea.
I can foresee a few issues maybe such as controlling humidity and also how you access the nests for maintenance (mainly feeding I suppose, or emptying rubbish). That said, you may already have solutions.
Great job.
Re: Atta texana formicarium display and formicarium build !!
Posted: Sun May 29, 2016 12:59 pm
by Britishants.com
Love it! How much where the boxes?
Re: Atta texana formicarium display and formicarium build !!
Posted: Sun May 29, 2016 3:36 pm
by Ieatflys
I spent 50 of 60 on 18 of them then parts for them were more. As for accessing for feeding and cleaning its not a big deal just slide the glass door over and have at it.... as hor humidity the nests will be closed off from rhe atmosphere in there so well see how well it holds humidity. If needed i have added a fogging humidifier to the heat tape boxes befor that turns on whenever the heater turns on. Testing will proceed this week so well see what needs to be done. Does anyone have any reccommendations on affordable hygrometers, and thermometers? Possibly 2 in ones with a sensor probe? Every time i get one the hygrometer quits after a while. I am hoping i can find one with pultiple sensors on it so i can just run the sensors throughout it to one main display.