This is what I used:
i215.photobucket.com/albu...x/ikea.jpg
i215.photobucket.com/albu.../ikea2.jpg
As you can see you can have different moulds from these few items which cost only $7.99 BTW
Anyways here are 2 of the nests I made today:
i215.photobucket.com/albu..._mould.jpg
i215.photobucket.com/albu...i_nest.jpg This is a good setup for small colonies and because the way it is done you don't need to glue the glass. It comes off easily if need be, but holds tight.
This is the same setup that I house my formica colony in:
First I used modeling clay for the layout of the nest.
i215.photobucket.com/albu.../mould.jpg
i215.photobucket.com/albu...mould2.jpg
i215.photobucket.com/albu...mould3.jpg
i215.photobucket.com/albu...mould4.jpg
Then I filled up the box with p-o-p (came out a little chunky on top...dog got in the way of mixing)
i215.photobucket.com/albu...laster.jpg
i215.photobucket.com/albu...aster2.jpg
i215.photobucket.com/albu...aster3.jpg
i215.photobucket.com/albu...aster4.jpg
i215.photobucket.com/albu...aster5.jpg
i215.photobucket.com/albu...aster6.jpg
I used a plastic modeling clay molding tool thingie that I bought a set for under $3 at Michaels Arts & Crafts to remove the clay after the plaster has set.
i215.photobucket.com/albu...x/clay.jpg
i215.photobucket.com/albu.../clean.jpg
i215.photobucket.com/albu...clean2.jpg
i215.photobucket.com/albu...clean3.jpg
i215.photobucket.com/albu...clean4.jpg
After that I used some sandpaper to even off the chambers and tunnels and put the plaster back into the box.
i215.photobucket.com/albu...mplete.jpg
i215.photobucket.com/albu...plete2.jpg
i215.photobucket.com/albu...plete3.jpg
i215.photobucket.com/albu...plete4.jpg
In a day or two I will upload some more pix of other nest designs I came up with including using one of those gel ant farms. That farm was the biggest pain in the butt to make and to take out of the farm it self...took me a good hour to get the plaster out.
Anyways I hope this post will help noobs and experienced keepers alike.



