The ANTMART Honeycomb Black 220×110 mm Ant Farm, Variant A combines a striking hexagonal chamber layout with a nest that can be expanded in stages. Its black body creates a clear contrast with the light gypsum insert and makes activity inside the nest easier to observe. This is a partially gypsum-lined formicarium: the colony receives access to additional space as it grows instead of occupying every chamber from the beginning.

Construction and materials

The formicarium is assembled from 3 mm acrylic and PETG components. Black nylon fasteners secure the parts and blend into the Black color scheme. Nylon does not rust when exposed to the water used for gypsum hydration, which makes it suitable for this type of humidified construction.

The nest consists of repeating hexagonal chambers connected by passages 15–21 mm high. This clearance is intended to accommodate large workers and queens as well as smaller ants. The honeycomb pattern gives the model its distinctive appearance while arranging the chambers efficiently within a 220×110 mm body.

Partial gypsum hydration

Variant A contains an integrated 6 mm slab of high-strength G-23 gypsum. The slab covers only part of the nest layout, allowing areas with different moisture levels to develop. Chambers close to the gypsum form the more humid section, while areas farther away remain drier and may be selected by the colony for storing food reserves.

Dense G-23 gypsum is intended to withstand use around larger ants and offers greater resistance to their mandibles than softer gypsum mixtures. The actual hydration schedule must still be adjusted to the species, colony size, temperature, and observed nest conditions. The partial slab is not designed to moisten every chamber evenly; maintaining both humid and relatively dry areas is the defining feature of Variant A.

An 80 mm arena

The tall arena provides working room for feeding, observation, substrate, and appropriate decoration. A surface suited to the ants can be added while leaving enough open space for routine cleaning and access. Decorative pieces should be positioned so that they do not obstruct ventilation, interfere with the lid, or create an unintended route out of the enclosure.

A double-layer acrylic lid closes the arena. Its two-layer construction helps it retain its shape as ambient moisture changes. Sliding latches hold the lid in place and serve as a mechanical escape barrier. After every feeding or maintenance session, the keeper should confirm that the lid is seated correctly and all latches are fully engaged.

A nest that opens in stages

Removable dividers split the residential block into three independent sections. A small colony can begin in a single compartment, with the second and third sections opened only after its population increases. This keeps the available nest volume closer to the colony’s actual needs and limits unused chambers where food debris or refuse might accumulate.

A practical expansion sequence is:

• Introduce the colony to the first available section.
• Monitor chamber use and the placement of brood and stored food.
• Open the second and then the third section as sustained population growth requires more room.
• After each expansion, watch how the ants use the new chambers and continue checking nest cleanliness.

Species considerations

Partial hydration and the availability of drier chambers make this model relevant to species that use a moisture gradient. The original recommendations specifically mention seed-harvesting Messor ants, which require dry areas for seed storage. Passage heights of 15–21 mm also allow the enclosure to be considered for larger Camponotus.

The design is not automatically suitable for every moisture-dependent tropical species. Ants requiring consistently high humidity throughout most of the nest may need a different configuration. The source identifies Variant B with a full gypsum layer as the more appropriate option in such cases. Suitability should always be assessed from the requirements of the exact species rather than from adult body size alone.

Key specifications

• Overall dimensions: 220×110 mm.
• Main materials: 3 mm acrylic and PETG.
• Nest layout: hexagonal chambers with 15–21 mm passage height.
• Hydration: partial 6 mm G-23 gypsum slab.
• Expansion system: three sections separated by removable dividers.
• Arena: 80 mm high with a double acrylic lid and sliding latches.
• Fasteners: black, non-rusting nylon.

Questions and answers

• What is the purpose of the honeycomb chamber pattern?

The hexagonal modules arrange multiple living areas compactly and give the colony separate places in which to position brood and reserves. The repeating geometry also provides a clear view of movement through the nest and gives the formicarium a coherent visual structure.

• Why are nylon fasteners used?

Nylon does not rust when exposed to hydration water. The black fasteners also match the body of the model. As with the lid, latches, and dividers, they should still be inspected periodically as part of routine enclosure maintenance.

• Why should the compartments be opened gradually?

A young colony does not need the entire nest at once. Staged expansion makes unused space easier to control and lets the available chamber volume follow actual colony growth. The next divider should be removed when the ants genuinely need additional room, not simply on a fixed timetable.

• Is Variant A suitable for moisture-loving tropical ants?

That depends on the species. The partial slab creates a localized humid area while retaining drier sections elsewhere. Species that require consistently high moisture across most of their nest may be better served by a full-gypsum configuration and a different care regime.