Hey guys. I am currently in the planning stage for my first formicarium. Because I have not seen any discussions here about the method I consider using, I am going to ask you guys if it sounds reasonable - so that I do not make a fatal error of some kind.
What I am going to do, is to firstly form a system of plastic clay chambers and paths on the inside of a basin, and then pour in concrete. When it has hardened, I simply take out the concrete block and remove the clay. Thus, chambers are formed. The casting goes back in the tank. This way, I can have a basin with a panoramic view from three directions (leaving a hole in the casting on the backside for heat pads and other technology.
First, I thought about casting the formicarium in gypsum, but after some reading I discovered that gypsum has a mould problem in moist environments, and I therefore abandoned the idea. I also thought about Ytong, but ytong comes in blocks, and it won't quite give me that snug fit against the glass which I am aiming at. Only casting can in my experience achive that.
My conclusion is that a oridinary casting in concrete is the best way to go. Do anyone here have experience that says elsewise, or any tips on the way?