Ant Nest (Formicarium) with Hydration System

A fully functional, 3D-printable formicarium designed for convenient ant keeping. The multi-part design offers high modularity thanks to interchangeable slide-in plugs, allowing for easy expansion and adaptation to your colony's size.

🐜 Main Features:

• Interchangeable Connectors (Plugs): The nest features universal ports for different slide-in modules: a solid plug (to close off the nest), a test tube plug (for introducing new colonies), and a tubing plug (for connecting outworlds/arenas or other nests).
• Integrated Hydration System: A special base acts as a water reservoir and includes a separate lid for easy refilling. Water is transported inside the nest via absorption through a custom-cast gypsum block, ensuring optimal humidity for the ants.
• Secure Ventilation: The design includes two ventilation slots adapted for installing a fine safety mesh (inserted from the top), preventing even the smallest ant species from escaping.
• Excellent Visibility: Designed to be covered with a 1 mm thick plexiglass sheet (secured with screws), providing a crystal-clear view of the colony.

🛠️ Bill of Materials (Non-printed parts):

• Gypsum / Plaster (to cast the hydration block placed inside the nest).
• Plexiglass / Acrylic sheet (1 mm thick) cut to the dimensions of the nest's top.
• A small piece of fine ventilation mesh.
• 4x screws to attach the plexiglass (e.g., M3 screws).
• Optional: A test tube or PVC tubing that fits the printed connector plugs.

📝 Assembly Instructions:

1. Gypsum Cast: Pour the gypsum into a mold to create a square block and place it in the designated slot inside the main nest.
2. Ventilation: Slide your safety mesh into the two designated slots from the top of the main nest part.
3. Base Assembly: Place the main nest on top of the hydration base. Close the water inlet with the small printed lid.
4. Configuration: Choose the appropriate side plugs (solid, test tube, or tubing connector) and slide them into the side ports.
5. Cover: Place the cut 1 mm plexiglass sheet on top and secure it using screws in the prepared corner holes.
6. Hydration: Carefully pour water into the base reservoir and wait for the gypsum block to absorb the moisture. Your nest is now ready for the ants!