FlexGrid
Engineered to evolve as your colony grows, the FlexGrid formicaria ecosystem is modular, adaptable, and easy to use.
The Nest
Textured gypsum-cement inserts provide natural-feeling substrate for the ants and retain moisture within the nest. A variety of swappable designs ensures our nests can be comfortable for many different species.
An easy access hydration port directly connected to the gypsum cement makes moisture control easy—get one of our compatible hygrometer probes to know the exact humidity of your nest!
Sliding doors allow safe and controlled access to new modules when moving your ants or expanding your formicarium system.
Four KeySnap doorways—parts of our patent-pending connector system—make rearranging and attaching new nests intuitive, fast, and secure. Expand in any direction by inserting a KeySnap connector and snapping on a new nest from the side or from above.
Dimensions: 4x4" outer, 3x3" nesting space
The Outworld
With almost 16 square inches of space, the outworld has plenty of room for liquid feeders, a trash tray, and enrichment.
The dual-lid design provides an easily removable insert with surrounding ceiling space for fluon or oil, while still allowing for the entire lid to be removed if a larger opening is needed for access to, for example, liquid feeders.
Specially designed entrance plugs are easy to insert and remove with tweezers.
Four KeySnap doorways allow for easy expansion in any direction.
The Founding Module
Your queen deserves better than a test tube! Give her a real home to found a colony in.
The Fungi Farm
A gypsum insert retains moisture while a spacing mesh ensures your ants' fungus will stay safely elevated above any standing water.
The Ecoystem
Connection and expansion is where the magic happens!
Any FlexGrid modules can be tiled together in all directions so that your ants' home can grow with them. Your founding module can become a seamless part of a larger nest as your colony becomes established.
The patent-pending KeySnap connector system is strong enough to lift a 3x3 grid of modules from one corner—though, to be safe, we recommend splitting large assemblies into 2x2 squares before moving them. Luckily, this is easily done because of the sliding doors and outworld plugs!
FlexGrid
Frequently asked questions
What ant species are compatible with FlexGrid?
Almost any species that can fit through a 3/8-inch hole! The only exception we're aware of are species that need ceiling space to hang, like those in the Myrmecocystus genus (that is, Honeypot ants). We have a separate line of Honeypot nests, and we're working on a series of extra large nests for giant ants like Dinomyrmex!
If you are keeping a tiny ant species that can fit through 0.2 mm gaps, e.g. monomorium carbonarium, we recommend you opt for our micro-species sliding door replacements. These micro-species sliding doors are made from TPU—a compressible rubber-like material—and require a tool to open and close, but are water-tight and completely secure. Alternatively, you can apply some vaseline to the normal sliders so that they seal in their housing.
Can I connect FlexGrid to my current tubs-and-tubes formicarium?
Yes, the entryways of the FlexGrid modules are designed to be compatible with 3/8-inch outer diameter tubing and, with a tubing adapter key, with 1/2-inch tubing. It's easy to move in your colony from your old formicarium!