How to make a Grout Formicarium for Ants Part 1 of 3

[@AntsCanada]

I think these formicariums look great! The only thing is grout has poor water absorption even with crushed perlite. We attempted this with previous formicarium tests, and we had colonies perish due to lack of proper hydration. Do you have videos of ants living in these formicariums? Kudos to you on these videos!

[@crystalscherer]

I have several journals of colonies living in these for over a year, and I have to upgrade their nests here soon since they have grown so much. There is often condensation inside the nest, so I know it is humid. Lasius - forum.formiculture.com/index.php/topic/110-crystals-lasius-journal-wet-log-queen/ Camponotus - forum.formiculture.com/index.php/topic/111-crystals-camponotus-herculeanus-journal/ Formica - forum.formiculture.com/index.php/topic/129-crystals-formica-ulkei-journal/ It is important to have a ratio of at least 2:1 or 3:1, otherwise you may encounter absorption issues. I have tried out firebrick (a great substitute for Ytong) and I like it even better than grout. I recently made a how to video on it (2 parts): Part 1: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e5XEh3qXmtycgtE Part 2; kzbin.info/www/bejne/kIjJfKiIeN6JrNU

[@archiestanley1381]

AntsCanada I love ur vids ants canada :-)!!!!

[@smeefsmeef4134]

AntsCanada hi bb :3

[@sleepless9994]

AntsCanada HOLY CRAP ANTS CANADA LUV UR VIDS

[@antsbc8684]

AntsCanada join the ant sellers discord discord.gg/FNhczr lol

[@ErikKegge]

Hello Crystal, I have watched your tutorials about making formicariums and they are really helpful. I am a beginning ant keeper and you have been a ton of help. Thank you very much for that and I hope you will continue making videos.

[@crystalscherer]

Thank you for the complement! Feel free to stop by www.formiculture.com and say hi. I drop into the chat room on a daily basis. I have several other tutorials on that forum that I do plan on making into video tutorials one day - forum.formiculture.com/index.php/topic/583-the-list-of-handy-links/

[@ErikKegge]

Crystal S Thank you so much for your reply. I have subscribed to the forum :-) ... I have a question about the sanded grout. In your video your first layer is made by unsanded grout ( with perlite). The second layer is made by sanded grout. Does the grout become sanded because you add the sand or is it a product you can buy ( sanded grout)? I ask this because of the difference in language. I have to find the right products with the right translations.

[@crystalscherer]

ErikKegge I saw your post on the forum. Look forward to seeing you around more. Un-sanded grout and Sanded grout are actually two different types of grout. Often found about 3 feet apart in home improvement stores. I get mine from Home Depot. If you want, you can make both layers out of un-sanded grout. Just put those little plastic coaster pads/feet on the bottom of the nest once dry to prevent moisture from ruining whatever the nest is sitting on.

[@ErikKegge]

Crystal S Thank you!

[@Frediloc8]

Wow, this is just chalk full of all sorts of great tidbits that you'd only really see through experience. Thanks so much for sharing your techniques and tips/advice!

[@crystalscherer]

You are very welcome!

[@sufficientlyoldskool]

Thanks for sharing this. I'm going to attempt to make a formicarium using your method today. I still don't have a colony for it, but all in good time ;)

[@mr.campwell3655]

Legos make a great mold that's what I used for my plaster formicarium.

[@Dandunu]

crystal i loved your vid! very clever! i am sticking links to it wherever i can. brilliant of you to share it. very inexpensive i cannot wait to do this with my son.

[@crystalscherer]

Glad you enjoyed it! I have more tutorials here, including a newer version of the grout formicarium with advanced hydration abilities - www.formiculture.com/index.php/topic/583-the-list-of-handy-links/

[@Dandunu]

thankyou very much id not have found this! bloomin brilliant! im english and in england, however watched all your vids the other night and found you queen hunting in Alberta, my auntie and cousins emigrated there 10years ago and i visited 2 years ago, small world, loved it there! ive been within miles of you!

[@crystalscherer]

bob marley That is hilarious! What a small world it is! Glad you enjoyed my tutorials, hopefully they will help you in the future.

[@snipercube815]

Thanks so much! I used this for my large outworld. I'm moving my pheidole pallidula (Southern European/North African army ant) colony in tomorrow.

[@syxmax20]

Thank you for making this video. Very helpful ;)

[@tutorialmaster52]

Subbed. Keep up the great ant vids! BTW im michael of vancouver from da forums.

[@crystalscherer]

Thanks! Love your username. I just made these How-To videos because when I wanted to learn there were no detailed guides or videos to show me how easy it was or the little tricks.

[@arktheking1789]

Hi Crystal :) I just subscribe to you and I just want to know how many weeks or day before you have your first worker? I just got my first queen

[@CreeperUniverseTV]

Congrats! I'm looking for one too. Any idea on what the genus or species is?

[@arktheking1789]

it is a fire ant but I don't know any different species out there

[@crystalscherer]

It varies by species and there are hundreds of species out there. If you go to formiculture.com and post a picture with details, they can ID it for you. Some species get workers in about 3 weeks, some, like Camponotus, can take 3-4 months.

[@DragonUdo]

About the crushed Perlite: Where do you get that? The only affordable kind I can find is Miracle Grow and I'm concerned that's probably got chemicals in it!?

[@pokedermy1150]

Like the Video, do you ever plan to make a huge one for a Carpenter ant Colony?

[@crystalscherer]

Here is a picture of my Camponotus herculeanus colony - i445.photobucket.com/albums/qq176/c_scherer123/Ants/Colonies/DSC06676_zps9b136eca.jpg It is 8"x10". Will hold a fair size colony. I can make them larger, but you really need a tile supporting the back to prevent any warping.

[@pokedermy1150]

That looks lie a pretty large Camponotus herculeanus colony. Good Job!

[@kennethrabina8859]

hey could you tell me all the tools and materials use in this one

[@timeofourlives1693]

Could i just use a screw to attach the glass on to the grout? If not couldnt i just use the two part epoxy to seal the glass to the grout instead of silicone caulk cause you said it isnt poisoness once it cures plus it says works on glass and ceramic. Also would be in contact with ants. But i would really like to use a screw so i would be able to remove the glass and clean the formicarium if i want.

[@crystalscherer]

I would go with silicone before trying to use screws/bolts since the slightest imbalanced pressure on a corner tends to crack and break the glass.

[@thephilarmy5]

11:32 I heard that👂

[@adanilsu6081]

Phil Curtis lol 😂

[@jrandpeggyful]

Hi Crystal,Where did you get your perlite? I went to Home Depot and Lowes and they have it but it has fertilizer or miracle grow plant food.Thanks

[@crystalscherer]

+jrandpeggyful Most garden centres will sell pure perilite. Alternatively, you can substitute more sand for perilite

[@mickster287]

Please show a video how to make this inside a aquarium

[@crystalscherer]

I have a picture tutorial here: www.formiculture.com/topic/88-photo-journey-of-how-to-build-a-grout-formicarium/?p=17667 But since I don't plan on building another one for at least several years, the video will be a long time in coming.

[@mickster287]

@@crystalscherer woah , I got a reply from famous Crystal!!! Awesome thx you so much, love all your work and plzzzz meet the tutorial video coming !!!

[@crystalscherer]

@@mickster287 I've mostly gotten out of ants, although I still have one colony and a parasitic Formica queen from last fall (who just killed off all her workers...). Not sure how many ant videos will come since I posted most of what I thought of. Everything else is mostly in picture tutorials on formiculture.com

[@mickster287]

@@crystalscherer damn , so sad to hear this

[@yolk6942]

what if we dont add and soil mixture

[@larrywar11]

Question where go u get perlite from cuz I'm bin trying to find it but I see it for mostly gardening ??

[@crystalscherer]

It is the stuff in garden section of stores. It is used to make the dirt lighter and allow more air flow. It can be used for lots of other things.

[@larrywar11]

I can use any perlite or is there a certain kind I need

[@darkxerneasopenings9135]

I would assume any, but try to get the ones that are white as she did.

[@timeofourlives1693]

Instead of a wood frame could I use a tupperware container

[@crystalscherer]

Yes, I have used containers before, but make sure that the bottom is perfectly flat with little to no flex. I even have picture tutorials on how to do just this here: www.formiculture.com/index.php/topic/583-the-list-of-handy-links/

[@timeofourlives1693]

Im going with fire brick instead anyways but thank you

[@Fireblades212]

how do i clean the clay from the cooking oil properly?

[@crystalscherer]

I usually don't bother to clean the oil off of the clay. If I re-use the clay the oil is simply absorbed with no issues.

[@sadiantsun1354]

Hey Crystal I know that you live in Canada (I also too) I want to buy test tubes about more then 16x125mm or 150mm Where can I get these for a cheap price? Please send me link. I wanted to buy from Lcmlab.com but they only ship to USA.

[@crystalscherer]

I usually get mine through Fisher Scientific since I get a discount with a science lab. Any other science lab supply story should work. You can also also watch amazon and ebay.

[@Borisiscrazy]

cool vid!

[@ohji021]

Can I substitute grout to cement?

[@darkxerneasopenings9135]

Do not do this!

[@DdoubleB03]

@@darkxerneasopenings9135 why?

[@darkxerneasopenings9135]

@@DdoubleB03 because cement bad

[@DdoubleB03]

@@darkxerneasopenings9135 yea I’m not building anything all I have is cement lol. There are so many great acrylic nests to buy anyway. Do you keep ants?

[@larrywar11]

Can we see a video of a colonel in one of these ?

[@crystalscherer]

I have some pictures of my colonies in these, I may take some videos later. i445.photobucket.com/albums/qq176/c_scherer123/Ants/Colonies/DSC06616_zps539939ae.jpg i445.photobucket.com/albums/qq176/c_scherer123/Ants/DSC04904_zpsccd8a3c4.jpg I have kept Formica, Lasius, Camponotus, and Myrmica in these formicariums with no problems. I tend to be leaning more and more towards Fire Brick (K-23 refractory brick from pottery stores). As it has better air flow and absorbency - and I like carving it with a dremel.

[@larrywar11]

Can u make a video using fire brick or Yong bricks

[@crystalscherer]

laurance macaluso That is an easy request. :) I already made a video on how to make a formicarium out of firebrick (a great substitute for Ytong) (2 parts): Part 1: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e5XEh3qXmtycgtE Part 2; kzbin.info/www/bejne/kIjJfKiIeN6JrNU I do not have access to ytong this far north without spending about $80 for one brick. I also made a photo journal on building fire brick formicariums: forum.formiculture.com/index.php/topic/255-how-to-build-a-firebrick-formicarium-picture-journey/#entry1650

[@larrywar11]

Where can I get perlite from I have the grout. But people say grout want absorbed water so ya I want make it any ways and see I love the videos by the way all so can u subscribe to my KZbin channel so I can post a video when I make it and u can see it

[@crystalscherer]

Perlite is commonly used with flowers and gardens. Check the flower section of many stores for the white puffy material. You may also want to read my photo journal on grout: forum.formiculture.com/index.php/topic/88-photo-journey-of-how-to-build-a-grout-formicarium/ Sanded grout is very water resistant, while un-sanded grout with perlite will slowly absorb water. Once you water the nest, if you put a heating cable under the nest, you should be able to see the condensation on the glass after a few hours - this shows that it is humid in the nest.

[@gordblaedow1646]

Going to try it

[@viralvibinn]

awesome video, but grout does not soak water so well

[@crystalscherer]

Indeed. Slow hydration and slow evaporation. That is why the water channels are so large, so you don't have to wait around for it to absorb.

[@nimelisek3344]

What would you recommend?

[@sufficientlyoldskool]

Oh crap, I made a mistake. I forgot to add a layer of oil before pouring the grout. Am I completely screwed?

[@crystalscherer]

No, I have forgotten oil on occasion. It is just harder to separate the glass from the grout. Make sure you go slowly and carefully once the grout is dry enough to handle.

[@sufficientlyoldskool]

Crystal S Everything came out okay although it's a little thin because I didn't buy enough grout. When I drilled the entrance hole a little bit chipped off, but I think I can patch that with a little more grout.

[@crystalscherer]

Grout will work, or even just add a bit of extra epoxy when adding the entrance tubing. If you are worried about it being too thin, you can silicone the back of the nest to a tile for extra support.

[@cheryldahl9192]

can i use just sanded grout? would that work?

[@crystalscherer]

It is easier to use straight unsanded grout with a 3:1 grout:sand ratio. Sanded grout is more water proof and makes proper hydration harder.

[@cheryldahl9192]

OKay thanks!

[@arig220]

i red the sds of polyblend non sanded grout and it said can cause cancer and skin irritations etc. is that bad for ants? cos i want to be very careful...

[@crystalscherer]

The irritation and corrosive factor is with the dry powder. Considering that they use this on tile floors that we wal on, I wouldn't be too concerned. My one colony is going on three years now in grout nests with no issue. None of my colonies had ever had problems as long as the grout has completely cured and the silicone has also cured for at least 7 days.

[@arig220]

Ok Thx for the info, and what about acrylic paint can i use that for painting the interior of the chambers?

[@crystalscherer]

I have never tried to use acrylic paint in the chambers themselves. I chose a color of grout I wanted, or stained it with tea.

[@arig220]

Which tea did you use? Rharbarber?Fruit Tea?

[@crystalscherer]

I just used a black tea, but any made from non-toxic leaves should be fine. Boiled walnut shells made a startling brown/black color and is ant safe.

[@darkblossom2651]

Where can I buy a sand?

[@crystalscherer]

It is any kind of sand. I used playground sand that I buy in big bags. You can even use decorative sand sold in dollar stores in tiny bags.

[@diogoalexandreventura2333]

what for is that Water part?

[@crystalscherer]

To add humidity to the nest. The brood in most species of ants needs more humidity than what is in the air in the room.

[@T-DsGaming]

You say sanded grout is water proof but what about this "Due to its porous nature, sanded grout, unless modified, must be sealed to prevent water from infiltrating to the back of the tile and ruining the substrate." Seems to contradict what you are saying.

[@crystalscherer]

Better wording would be "Very water resistant" especially when being used in an ant formicarium. Even mixing in things like sand or perlite doesn't do much. The one pure sanded grout formicarium I made I had to throw out. It was never humid enough for my ants.

[@lukestewart2733]

Hi, can you explain to me more about why you use sanded and unsanded grout in different parts of the formicarium? Thanks Luke

[@MrSampie03]

Kan you use plaster?

[@MrSampie03]

I live in holland and we don't know grout

[@crystalscherer]

You can, but it will mold quickly. Most countries have grout, just under different names. It is what is put between tiles after they are installed. You can use other pourable stuff meant for tiles, or even hydrostone.

[@larahagedoorn5230]

so will it be really crumby until it's cured for a week? I made one yesterday and thought it was fine but I crumbled in my hands :/ thanks!

[@crystalscherer]

Yes. Because we add so much water and some additives, it takes much longer to cure. I usually wait at least 24 hours before even trying to it off of the forms. Then wait another day before possibly moving it anymore.

[@stevusbeefus]

making one for a 1k+ worker tropical fire ant colony

[@crystalscherer]

Nice! Feel free to post pictures on formiculture.com of it when you're done. Bigger colonies of fire ants are known to even dig through ytong, brick, and silicone so keep an eye on them for any damage they may be causing. My Carpenter ants never managed to damage the grout even though they chewed through my vinyl tubing.

[@stevusbeefus]

@@crystalscherer thx for the heads up, they grew by a couple hundred overnight lol.

[@crystalscherer]

@@stevusbeefus Glad to hear they're doing so well! Just wait until they really get going. :) Might even consider having a small dustbuster vacuum on hand in case they escape. If it has mesh over the fan, it'll collect them and stun them, but you can usually dump them back into the outworld unharmed.

[@stevusbeefus]

@@crystalscherer ended up moving em into an AC hybrid nest 2.0 for solenopsis. named the queen karen because she's stubborn af and wont move into the new nest lol

[@crystalscherer]

@@stevusbeefus Lol. Ant queens are so stubborn... Add a lot of humidity, or dry them right out to encourage them to move. Or a bright light and occasional vibrations.

[@cheryldahl9192]

where is she going tonight?

[@joshcope3205]

LOL

[@umidhmdov9653]

Cheryl Dahl Not pleasant

[@jn123-r7h]

Some sites say grout kills ants.

[@crystalscherer]

Loose powder, if dropped in it, could make them sick and kill them. But once aired out and cured for 2-3 weeks, they're stable. I've had colonies living in these for 3+ years with no issues.

[@AntsMierenAvonturen]

Looks great! i made one also but with gips check it out :) greets from Ant's Mieren Avonturen

[@amirwatkins8004]

u can here a wisper at 1135

[@crystalscherer]

I was not talking at 11:35, so the sound may have been the skewer scraping against the plastic cup.

[@chrissyjeanes3941]

Crystal S - no there's definitely a whisper, it's says im going to see you tonight... lol

[@crystalscherer]

I don't hear it, but if you can, then that would be my mother since I recorded this video in her workroom. Now that I think about it, she did have a baby shower to attend that afternoon.

[@dermy6333]

What's that I see? A bottle of booze and some red solo Cups? Sounds like someone knows how to Parta!

[@crystalscherer]

Cheap red cups for mixing, and olive oil to keep the grout from sticking to the clay tunnels sides of the wood forms. Olive oil isn't exactly everyone's idea of a great party. :)

[@dermy6333]

Crystal S Ha ha ha unless your European or something [that stuff doesn't taste the best trust me :/ ]