Formicarium Opal
479,90 zł
Low stock
Escape-Proof Design
Stable Humidity System
Find Your Perfect Fit
Clear Viewing
Same-Day Dispatch
Worldwide Shipping
Description
Big, thirsty species never quite settle in a dry acrylic box. The Opal is a large gypsum ant nest (32 × 23 × 13 cm) whose cast-stone walls breathe and hold deep humidity, giving 400–800-worker colonies of Camponotus singularis, Harpegnathos and Myrmecia the damp, stable climate they need. Two watering chambers, three sliding doors, two 25 mm hose ports and a roomy 20 × 13 cm arena make it a buy-once nest.
Give a big colony a proper home. Order the Opal today.
Additional information
| Dimensions | 32 × 23 × 13 cm |
|---|---|
| Material |
Gypsum |
| Nest area |
20×13 cm |
| Arena |
20 × 13 × 13 cm |
| Colony capacity |
400–800 workers |
| Hydration |
Moisten the plaster |
| Connection port |
⌀ 25 mm |
| Move in from |
20 workers |
Formicarium Opal — a large gypsum ant nest for humidity-loving colonies
Some species never quite settle in a dry acrylic box, and this large gypsum ant nest is built for exactly those. The Opal (32 × 23 × 13 cm) is made for big, thirsty colonies: where acrylic stays dry, cast gypsum behaves like the soil ants dig into underground, soaking up water and giving it back slowly so the chambers hold a deep, even humidity for days. With a capacity of 400–800 workers, a 20 × 13 cm arena and two 25 mm hose ports, it is the buy-once large gypsum formicarium, dispatched from Poland with tracked EU, UK and worldwide delivery.
Specifications
| Material | Acrylic body with cast-gypsum nest interior |
| Outer dimensions | 32 × 23 × 13 cm |
| Arena | 20 × 13 × 13 cm |
| Chamber height | 15 mm |
| Watering chambers | 2 |
| Sliding doors | 3 |
| Hose ports | 2 × 25 mm |
| Colony capacity | 400–800 ants |
| Recommended start | 3–15 ants (founding colony) |
| Best for | Large, humidity-loving species — Camponotus singularis, Harpegnathos, Odontomachus, Stigmatomma, Myrmecia |
| Difficulty | Beginner-friendly |
| Suitable species | Camponotus nicobarensis, Camponotus fedtschenkoi, Messor barbarus, Lasius niger |
| Colour / sticker | assorted as standard (specific on request) |
Why the Opal works
Big ants need room and moisture, which a small acrylic box cannot give them. The generous 15 mm chambers and 20 cm arena leave space for hundreds of workers, brood piles and food, while the gypsum body keeps the air humid without daily misting. It works from a founding colony of 3–15 ants up to a mature 400–800-worker nest, so settle a young colony now and let it fill the space over the years. Starting small? Close off part of the nest with the sliding doors and open the chambers as the colony grows, since a small colony in a large nest can otherwise struggle to keep the space clean and humid.
Humidity and care
Fill the two watering chambers and the gypsum wicks moisture into the surrounding cells, holding a stable gradient the ants can choose from, with damp brood chambers and drier living space. Top the water up every few days; the stone does the rest, and if a chamber looks too wet, leave a waterer empty for a day to balance it out. Gypsum is sturdy and easy to wipe down: spot-clean the arena, remove leftover food promptly, and do not force the sliding doors when the colony is active. Steady airflow through the ports and arena keeps the nest fresh.
Setup and escape protection
The Opal arrives clean and ready. Rinse the gypsum, let it absorb water, connect a hose if linking an outworld or tube, and populate. There are no curing chemicals to deal with. The fitted lid and arena walls keep workers where they belong, and for climbing or very small species a thin band of anti-escape fluid around the arena rim adds security. When the colony fills the Opal, link a second arena or a modular nest through the two 25 mm ports so it spreads at its own pace.
Pairs well with
A drinking dish, protein and carbohydrate jelly food, and soft tweezers cover tidy feeding. The open 20 cm arena is yours to dress: quartz sand, a few decorative stones, moss or a small landmark turn it into a foraging landscape and display piece. A 25 mm hose lets you add an extra arena or connect tubes as the colony expands.
FAQ
Is the Opal good for a beginner?
Yes, it is beginner-friendly. Start a small colony in part of the nest behind a sliding door and open it up as they grow.
Why gypsum instead of acrylic?
Gypsum holds humidity naturally, which large, moisture-loving species need. Acrylic stays dry and needs more active humidifying.
How often do I add water?
Usually every few days. Top up the two watering chambers and let the stone spread the moisture.
Can I connect more space later?
Yes, through the two 25 mm hose ports — add an arena or a modular nest whenever the colony needs room.
Do you ship outside Poland?
Yes. We dispatch within 24 h from Poland with tracked DHL across the EU and EMS worldwide, year-round with heat or cool packs and a live arrival guarantee.
A note on care: each item is built for a specific job — please use it only as intended. Responsibility for correct, safe use rests with the keeper; ANTonTOP accepts no liability for misuse or damage from improper use.
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