The 200×200 mm ANTMART Labyrinth White A is a modular ant farm with a white PETG body, localized gypsum inserts, and a nest that can be expanded section by section. Its layout supports close observation of the colony while allowing dry and humid areas to exist within the same housing system. The pale surface creates a strong visual background for the ants, making movement, brood care, and activity inside the chambers easier to examine in person or record with a camera.

A nest divided into functional areas

Variant A uses local inserts made from 6 mm thick G23 gypsum. Moisture is therefore delivered to selected parts of the nest instead of spreading equally across the entire floor. This arrangement can provide more humid chambers for brood alongside drier spaces suitable for stored seeds. The separation is relevant for species whose colony needs access to more than one moisture level at the same time.

The residential module is split into five independent sections fitted with removable partitions. A small colony does not have to receive the full nest immediately. One compartment can be opened first, with additional sections connected only as the population grows. Matching the available volume to the current colony size reduces unused space and helps prevent empty chambers from becoming convenient places for refuse or food remains.

Four autonomous humidification zones serve different areas of the nest. Each zone supplies water locally to its gypsum insert, allowing the keeper to establish a transition from moist to dry chambers. Moisture still needs to be monitored during use. Evaporation rates vary with room temperature, ventilation, ambient humidity, and the requirements of the species being housed.

Room for queens and large workers

There is 15 mm of vertical clearance above the gypsum surface. In areas without a gypsum insert, the total chamber height is 21 mm. These dimensions provide space for queens, large workers, and Camponotus soldiers to move and turn inside the nest. The additional height is particularly useful for larger ants that may be restricted by shallow residential modules measuring only a few millimetres.

PETG construction and non-corroding fasteners

The main structure is manufactured from moisture-resistant PETG. Foam and plywood are not used in this model. Its layers are held together with black nylon bolts, so the fasteners do not rust when exposed to water during humidification and routine maintenance. A white decorative panel gives the farm a clean exterior outline while retaining a high-contrast background for viewing the chambers.

The light-coloured PETG can reflect some of the available illumination toward the ants. This may help reveal body details in photographs and video, particularly when darker or brightly coloured species are kept in the nest. The final image will still depend on camera position, lighting angle, and exposure; the surface itself cannot eliminate every reflection.

Arena access and closure system

The arena is 80 mm high and is covered by a double acrylic lid. Using two acrylic sheets increases the rigidity of the upper assembly and reduces the tendency of the material to bend in humid conditions. Mechanical gates close the designated passages and allow access to individual nest sections to be controlled as the colony develops.

Lids, joints, gates, and connections should be inspected after assembly, humidification, or transport. These structural barriers help manage exits, but they do not replace routine checks by the keeper. Any newly assembled setup should be examined before ants are introduced.

Construction overview

• five residential sections for gradual expansion;
• removable partitions and mechanical gates;
• four independently supplied humidification zones;
• 6 mm thick G23 gypsum inserts;
• 15 mm clearance above gypsum and 21 mm chamber height without it;
• an arena measuring 80 mm in height;
• a double acrylic arena lid;
• a white PETG body assembled with black nylon bolts.

Species compatibility

Based on its chamber dimensions and partially humidified layout, the model is presented for Camponotus nicobarensis, Camponotus pseudoirritans, Camponotus fedtschenkoi, Camponotus japonicus, Camponotus maculatus subnudus, Myrmicaria brunnea, and Messor structor. Before moving a colony, the keeper should compare worker size, family population, and species-specific moisture needs with the farm’s dimensions. Inclusion in this compatibility list is a practical reference rather than a substitute for an appropriate care regime.

Questions and answers

Why is a white body useful for observation and macro photography?
White PETG reflects part of the incoming light and places the insects against a distinct background. This can make fine anatomical details and activity inside the chambers easier to see or film. Results vary according to the light source, shooting angle, lens, and camera settings.

How long can one humidification cycle last?
For the dense G23 gypsum and four separate moisture chambers, the stated guideline is approximately 5 to 10 days per refill. Actual timing depends on temperature, room humidity, airflow, and water consumption, so the inserts should be checked rather than serviced only on a fixed calendar. Distilled water is recommended to help keep the gypsum light in colour and reduce deposits.

Can a colony of 20–30 ants be introduced?
Yes, provided that the chamber dimensions suit the species. Only one of the five sections can be opened initially, leaving the others closed. Further compartments should be connected after the ants have occupied the space already available to them.