Glass Outworld Display Arenas - Seven sizes

This outworld uses our dual-lid system, built around the large primary lid that sits flush against the top frame and creates a wide horizontal ledge where escape barriers are most effective; ants reaching the top must walk upside down along this underside, making it much harder for them to push toward an opening when the smaller mesh lid is lifted. This combination of flush contact, ledge geometry, and barrier placement makes routine access extremely escape-resistant.

 

The mesh lid fits cleanly into its recessed seat on the primary lid, forming its own flush boundary. Its 0.3 mm ventilation grid provides strong airflow while remaining small enough that most ant species cannot pass through it. This keeps the outworld dry and helps prevent condensation without compromising safety. Because the mesh lid opens independently, you can replace feeders or remove scraps without exposing the entire outworld.

 

On larger sizes (14×14×9 up to 20×20×14), the primary lid includes four corner magnets that ensure it always sits fully flush and aligned with the frame, preventing micro-gaps that can appear on wider lids. Smaller sizes (12×12×8 and below) don’t require magnets due to tighter geometry, but the magnets on larger lids are removable if preferred.

 

This outworld works well with or without substrate. The plastic bottom already gives ants secure footing and keeps cleaning simple, so leaving it bare is a great choice if you prefer a clean look and the easiest maintenance routine.

Adding substrate is optional. Our substrate is a washed, sifted, oven-baked mineral mix made of tiny dense grains—not soil and not dusty sand. Keepers add it mainly for appearance, light terrain variation, and to give ants small grains they can move around.

Although ants can’t dig or nest in this substrate, they can still move the grains to arrange small piles, anchor food pieces, adjust trail flow, or carry grains back into their nest if needed—natural foraging behaviours that enrich the outworld without affecting cleanliness or control.

 

How much to order:
A thin cosmetic layer usually needs 30–90 g, while the largest size arena can use up to 120 g if you prefer thicker coverage or small terrain features. You can purchase additional substrate separately here.

We recommend applying a thick petroleum-jelly-style coating to the areas where the big lid makes contact with the top frame—specifically the inner rim of the lid that flushes around the frame and the sliding edge of the ventilated mesh insert. Lubricating these contact points improves the seal and prevents ants from finding traction along the seam.

 

For escape prevention, apply your preferred barrier to the upper glass walls and to the flat underside of the lid’s rim, where ants can reach and walk upside down. Suitable barriers include talcum powder, PTFE/fluon, petroleum jelly, or light oil coatings. Refresh the barrier occasionally and inspect all lid contact points (including the mesh insert’s frame) to ensure no dry or weak spots exist. Combining methods usually offers the most reliable protection.

Outworlds with a 6–7 cm height fit nano, small and medium liquid feeders (10 mL and under, including most tower and moat-style feeders).

Outworlds 8 cm and taller can accommodate any of our feeders, including large and tall 16 mL models.