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Table of Contents
Here you will find all the important information about the MagLab Formicarium system. From the basic setup to the required 3D-printed parts to the placement of the magnets. In addition, typical questions are answered and practical tips for setup, use, and expansion are provided.
You can find this project at Makerworld. MagLab Formicarium - A magnetic modular ant nest
The documentation is currently under construction. The MagLab Formicarium documentation will be published here step by step.
The basic parts
The MagLab Formicarium has basic parts that can all be connected to each other. This makes it possible to create endless possibilities with relatively few parts. You can find all the parts below. To enlarge the images, simply click on them.
| Picture | Description |
|---|---|
 | The nest is the central living space of the ant colony. This is where the queen lives and where the ants care for their brood, including eggs, larvae and pupae. Two nest types are available in this system. A freestanding nest and a modular nest that can be expanded with additional printed elements as the colony grows. The nest must be kept slightly moist. To achieve this, the rear chamber is filled with cotton wool which acts as a small water reservoir. A 2 mm hole on the opposite side allows you to moisten the cotton without opening the nest. |
 | The arena is the area of the ant farm where the ants leave the nest and interact with their environment. This is where they search for food, explore their surroundings and transport resources back to the nest. Food and water are usually placed inside the arena so the ants can collect them and bring them to the colony. The arena also serves as a space where ants can move freely and display their natural behavior. In many cases ants will also deposit waste or food remains in the arena, which helps keep the nest clean. |
 | The MagLab Hub is the central connection element of the system. It allows you to connect nests, arenas and other modules together. All elements can be attached to the hub, making it easy to expand or rearrange the setup at any time. This makes the system flexible and modular as the colony grows. The hub acts as the main junction that links all parts of the ant farm and keeps the entire system connected. |
 | Stoppers are simple closing pieces used to seal unused openings in the system. They are placed on connectors where no module is attached. They can be used to close tunnels, connection ports or the small water opening on the back of the nest. This keeps the system sealed and prevents ants from escaping. In general, every open connection that is not currently in use should be closed with a stopper. |
Print the parts
Coming soon
Insert the microscope slides into the lids
The microscope glass slides are inserted during the printing process. This means they become embedded directly into the printed lid, making the window very stable and escape-proof.
What may sound complicated is actually very simple. The print profiles are configured so that the printer automatically pauses during the print. At this moment the print head moves to the side, allowing you to easily place the microscope slides into the small recesses in the lid.
After inserting the glass, simply press resume on the printer. The printer will continue printing and seal the slides into the lid by printing the remaining layers over the edges of the glass.
The pause happens automatically at layer 11, so you do not need to configure anything manually. Just make sure your printer tolerances are properly calibrated so the glass fits correctly.
Assemble the formicarium
Coming soon
Keep the nests moist
This is a GIF file. Click on it to play it.
As shown in the image, the rear chamber of the nest must be filled with cotton wool. This cotton acts as a small water reservoir that provides the humidity required inside the nest.
To moisten the nest, simply remove the stopper on the back and carefully add water using a syringe through the small opening. Once the cotton is moist, place the stopper back onto the opening to keep the system sealed and escape-proof.
Humidity inside the nest is important for many ant species, especially for healthy brood development. However, the required moisture level depends on the species you are keeping, so always check the needs of your ants.
The water inside the nest is not meant as a drinking source. Drinking water should always be provided separately using a dedicated water module in the arena.