All in one formicarium + outside world, mini naturalistic set up with tunnelling media between a core and the clear walls of the out-world facilitating the creation of chambers that are visible, on the top a foraging area and access to the watering well, add a little bit of decoration and you’ll have the perfect mini set up, as your colony grows you can keep connecting more areas.
The kit includes the internal plastic core, a mesh screen, a small piece of polyester floss, a water well cap and lid, a clear polystyrene 10x10x10 cm box, lid, 3 mL watering pipette.
The watering well; is used to deliver water directly to the bottom layer of the tunnelling media; this is important to do so to avoid collapsing tunnels, and it is an easier way to control a gradient of humidity within the soil, making the bottom layers more humid and dryer towards the foraging area, the well has a fine copper mesh benefiting from antibacterial properties as well as preventing ants or debris from entering the well, a lid is also provided to cover and protect the mesh from ants depositing materials in it, the bottom of the well sits flushed preventing access to ants, you can also insert a small portion of polyester floss right at the bottom of the well to block access to ants, soil sand or any small debris. Watering should be done slowly to ensure you are not over saturating the substrate; use a plastic pipette against the mesh, and water will pass thru, the well will spread the water among the 4 walls.
Includes pre-cut red transmission films to surround the 4 walls; two films in the shapes Ls are provided to cover 4 sides up to the foraging.
Tubing size:
The unit has been updated and now features our “Tubing Dual-Port” system, allowing you to connect either 9.5 mm (3/8″) or 12.7 mm (1/2″) vinyl tubing on the same opening.
Specifications
Dimmensions: 10x10x10 cm
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Set-up
Bullet points for set-up
1. Place the inner core inside the clear box; before inserting, remove the polyester floss from the bottom of the well if you do not wish to use it; the copper mesh is already pre-assembled.
2. Place the water well lid on and ensure the inner core is flushed against the bottom.
3 Using a small funnel or a small spoon, deposit a fine layer of perlite between the core and the box; 2 to 3mm is more than enough.
4. Deposit your media mixture slowly and gently without scratching the plastic box.
5. Fill all the way up so that the water well is exposed midway above the top of the plastic core top flat; soil should be right at the lower level of the hose opening.
6. Ensure the water well is clean of debris, remove the lid and slowly pour water into it, observe the walls, and you will notice how humidity travels upwards; your goal on your first fill is to let humidity reach almost all the way up without creating a puddle at the bottom, slowly is best. When done, cover using the lid.
7. Connet your hoses, install your escape barrier; we recommend using vaseline or a thick oil on both sides of the rim as well as the inner lip on the lid; this will lubricate the lid, making it easier to open and close as well as provide a seal against the walls.
TIP: To get crystal clear walls after pouring sand or soil into the nest, use distilled water with a spray bottle that can produce a fine mist, spray the inner walls from top to bottom and let dry; when distilled water evaporates, it leaves not mineral residue spots. Do not spray too much as to avoid flooding the substrate.