(hopefully)

A new addition to the invertebrate collection here at Millipods, and a little too early for rehoming late in 2026... but spring 2027 will see some radical explosions - in a good way.

What started out as a 3D printing project, as usual, turned into a rabbit hole project, throwing up lots of 'bits' that needed adding... and here we are: 2 styles of base nest with modular add-ons.

We wanted a modular system that could grow with the colony, right from the initial tube. A small outworld to ease feeding, then a small nest that allowed for managed humidity, and then adding on modules like moon pods... Oh, and because we all know that hexagons are the bestagons... that as well.

After a couple of feedback reviews, we are here now.

There are 2 base configurations. The Stacka has a small water reservoir in the base, so ants can control humidity in the nesting chamber. The other version is the Sprawla, which can spread out flat or grow vertically (though we're still working on how the outworlds will work). A sponge is set in a connected module, and the moist air travels through vents in the nest wall.

Legs for the raised "Stacka" outworlds and a stand for the vertical "Sprawla" will be along shortly.

Nesting boxes do come with printed blackout covers, and we are looking into red acrylic covers and glass replacement.

Now available for sale in our shop.

The fundamentals start with a hexagon and square outer part that connect in a wide range of ways with clips. Inserts are then added for specific functions: nesting, outworld, storage, brood etc. 

As is our way, we also wanted minimal tooling, so the only tool you should need is a small Phillips-head screwdriver. While assembly and reconfiguration should be easy, you don't want accidental self-disassembly, so screws can be used in the clips to semi-permanently fix things together and to hold the glass on.

We have also standardised on 16mm tubes for now.

There are 3 connectors in the system:

• When connecting 2 modules, you need an open connector (so things can pass through).

• When you don't want anything to escape, you need a closed connector.

• When you want to connect a test tube, you'll need the tube transfer connector.

Generally, from a tubed colony, you'd attach the small outworld module (no screws, so you can remove the glass to put food in there) and you'd use the tube connector and leave it attached.

Once your colony is getting too big for its tube, you attach the nest, fill the water holder, and hopefully your colony will move. Then remove the tube transfer connector and replace it with a closed connector.

As your colony grows, you can add more nest modules (the colony will decide what to use them for) and outworlds.

The 2 nest packs come pretty much assembled: the nuts are embedded in the base unit, not the top part, the modules have connectors installed and a bag of loose bits to add. The Stacka version does require a little more thinking, but take off the stopper, feed the pipe through the hole, and tighten things up.

Oh, don't forget to peel the protective film off the perspex.