Ant Colony Founding Station
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Bill of Materials
- Test tube (15mm or 16mm; 100mm long) x 2:
- o ring (12/13/14 x 2mm) x 4: Depends on test tubes, i recommend buying all 3 to test the fit
- cork / felt (at least 86x146mm) x 1: as an antislip bottom, lasercuttable dxf included with the files.
- microscope slide (25x76x1mm) x 1:
- steel mesh / cotton ball x 1: to block the ventilation hole in the outworld
Description
Give your new queen the royal treatment she deserves. This Ant Colony Founding Station is designed to take a solitary queen from her first eggs to a thriving colony of 20–50 workers (roughly the first 1–2 years of growth).
Traditional test tube setups are prone to vibration and make feeding a stressful "escape-risk" event. This station solves both by providing a stable, elegant, and modular environment.
Boost Me (for free)
Key Features:
- Dual-Tube Connectivity: Features two modular connectors. Use one for the active nest and the second for a fresh water replacement, allowing for seamless, stress-free colony migrations.
- Ventilated Outworld: A tiny, integrated ventilation port keeps the outworld dry and mold-free, preventing "swampy" conditions while ensuring the ants have plenty of oxygen.
- Integrated Light Shields: Includes two lids to keep the nesting chambers in total darkness, mimicking a natural underground environment while allowing you to check on them without picking up or shaking the ants
- Vibration Dampening: Designed for an optional cork or felt baseplate to absorb household vibrations—the #1 cause of queen stress and egg-eating.
- Sleek Aesthetics: High-end design with gold-accented handles that looks great on any desk or shelf.
BOM
- 2x Test tube (15mm or 16mm; 100mm long)
- 4x o ring (12/13/14 x 2mm) - Depends on test tubes, i recommend buying all 3 to test the fit
- 1x cork / felt (at least 86x146mm) - as an antislip bottom, lasercuttable dxf included with the files.
- 1x microscope slide (25x76x1mm)
- 1x steel mesh / cotton ball - to block the ventilation hole in the outworld
Pre-Assembly & Fitting
Before final assembly, ensure a perfect seal for your specific glassware:
- Print both the 13mm and 14mm ID connectors to determine which fits your test tubes most snugly.
- Test the fit: Place a 2mm thick O-ring (12/13/14mm diameter depending on your test tubes) around the connectors to ensure a leak-proof, friction-fit seal.
Assembly Instructions
- Mesh Installation: Cut a small circle of stainless steel mesh and glue it inside the ventilation hole to prevent escapes.
- Trim: Glue the decorative rings over the mesh to hide the edges for a clean look.
- Lid Handles: Glue the golden knobs onto the test tube lids.
- Baseplate (Optional): Glue a laser-cut cork or felt plate to the bottom of the station for maximum vibration dampening.
- Connectors: Insert your chosen connectors from the bottom of the station.
- O-Rings: Roll the O-rings onto the connectors to prepare for the glass tubes.
- Viewing Window: Place a standard microscope slide over the outworld area.
- Setup: Slide your water-filled test tubes onto both connectors.
Happy Keeping! This station is the perfect bridge between a simple test tube and a full-scale formicarium.
License
You shall not share, sub-license, sell, rent, host, transfer, or distribute in any way the digital or 3D printed versions of this object, nor any other derivative work of this object in its digital or physical format (including - but not limited to - remixes of this object, and hosting on other digital platforms). The objects may not be used without permission in any way whatsoever in which you charge money, or collect fees.
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