Looking for something....

[Mr.Mantid]

Hello dudes,

I'm looking for an enclosure that has seperate chambers, maybe something that can house multiple nymphs so that they each have their own chamber.

Thanks,

Señor Mantid

 

[Arwen9]

You could build your own.

I took a 20 gal aquarium and some cheap picture frames, sans pictures, and made my own three-chambered mantis enclosure. Some of the pics are on my blog in my signature.

You could use more frames/screen, or smaller containers and create as many chambers as you'd like.

 

[hibiscusmile]

I have this container, with the four holes it is easy to feed four quickly, but is only 2" tall, so only works for a little while and then have to move them.

http://mantidforum.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=17826

 

[Mr.Mantid]

You could build your own.

I took a 20 gal aquarium and some cheap picture frames, sans pictures, and made my own three-chambered mantis enclosure. Some of the pics are on my blog in my signature.

You could use more frames/screen, or smaller containers and create as many chambers as you'd like.

That is very cool! If I had the time, resources and money I would definatley do something along those lines.

 

[Mr.Mantid]

I have this container, with the four holes it is easy to feed four quickly, but is only 2" tall, so only works for a little while and then have to move them.

http://mantidforum.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=17826

I remember reading that post! I am looking for something a tad bit taller with more volume and maybe a few more compartments each with their own lid so that I can keep them to at least L4/L5. The purpose of this is to feed the little guys faster; if I can't find a home like this, maybe I need to implement a faster way to feed them?

As of right now I am rearing 11 odontomantis sp. and 6 freshly hatched ghost nymphs so it always takes up time to feed each individual mantis. I don't know how you pros do it.

 

[Arwen9]

That is very cool! If I had the time, resources and money I would definatley do something along those lines.

heh. If you go the thrift store/second hand shop/garage sale route, it's not too expensive. It cost me between $20-$40 to set that up.

But for what you're describing, I don't think it'll work for you as much. At least not while they're small. My mantids were Chinese and were already L4 and molted to L5 within a few days, so size wasn't much of a problem. lol.

 

[sporeworld]

I used a container i found at the fabric store very similar to this:

While it served the purpose of multi-viewing my nmphs, it was a logistical problem getting them out! I cut holes and plugged them (like Hibuscusmile did) but the grief of cleaning and moving just wasn't worth it.

I thought I might try my hand at something more stackable - cut holes, attach netting, that sort of thing. Something like this:

Now I'm thinking the problem isn't the multiple containers themselves, just the display and organization of them. So (if i were of a mind to do it), I'd probably do something like a cupcake tower. Metal arms to plop the individual containers into - all on a lazy Susan for viewing. Like so (but without the cupcakes):

Here's something similar I did for silkmoths, but on a msaller, somewhat silly scale:

hope this gets the juices flowing...

 

[Rick]

I use a lot of those little 2.5 gallon aquariums with the glass dividers. I cut a notch in the center and turn it into three small enclosures.

 

[hibiscusmile]

I say there old chap, keep the cupcakes :lol:

I use the fruit fly bottles, I pupae and hatch in them and then stick the bottle top in hole in container letting out a few flies and move on! Pic of it in Bugatorium post somewhere.

 

[d17oug18]

i have a post where i build one out of screen and wood (1"x1"). It was about 6"x6"x1' each enclosure with full top lids, ill edit this post if i find the post.