The curvesome formicarium has eight big rounded chambers, a heating cable canal, two hydration systems, humidity and temperature gradients, and a rugged substrate, including a water evaporator module.
The formicarium can house mature-sized ant colonies of small, medium and large ant species. In addition, this nest's diverse heating and hydration combinations make it adaptable to the needs of dry-to-wet and warm-to-cold species. It is easy to create temperature and humidity gradients.
The formicarium hydration systems work with evaporation and capillarity (both direct and indirect hydration mechanisms):
-The evaporator module provides humid air through a mesh-protected tube port. Temperature and condensation affect how much water enters the nest and condensates or diffuses into the walls and substrate. The evaporator module is sensitive to heat; the hotter it is, the more water evaporates and flows into the nest. A heating cable can be placed between the formicarium and the watering module.
If you ever need to ventilate or dry the formicarium while ants are still inside, you can disconnect the evaporator module and aerate the nest through the mesh on the connecting port.
-The internal hydration chamber (capillarity) transports water directly through the substrate. Heat does not change water transport into the substrate but accelerates evaporation to the rest of the formicarium. The reservoir feeds water directly only to the chamber next to it (the only chamber with a substrate on the bottom and walls); this is your most wet area in the nest.
** Before using the product, please read more in the "Formicarium hydration guide."
The bottom of the chambers has a thick, humidity-absorbent and rugged substrate, providing crevices and grip to ants. In this design, we left the side walls clean and smooth with exposed plastic; this separates the substrate humidity from reaching the glass directly. As a result, ants with difficulty climbing smooth surfaces will be less likely to populate walls; those who can climb will be less likely to deposit wet organic material between the glass and the wall/frame.
Light protection options include a translucent red film cut-out and a black plastic lid that completely darkens the nest. You can read more about the difference between light protection options here.
Tuning options are 9.5mm and 12.7mm (3/8 and 1/2 inches); 9.5 mm is the most needed and standard size. So yes, even a Camponotus queens fit through, and tight is good.
It measures 10x10 cm wide and 3 cm tall. Includes; formicarium, external water evaporator module with 10mL bottle, a small piece of 12,7 mm tubing to connect the evaporator module, three plugs for each entrance and the light protection option of your choice.
The unit weight is approximate: 250 grams.
This hybrid formicarium mixes GEN 2 and the Evaporator module class; you can read more on the "Hybrid formicarium Gen and class" page.