Absorbent Concrete R6 Fourmiculture

Description

R6 absorbent concrete, an innovative recipe developed for the manufacture of artificial anthills.

A product that changes the situation: makes it possible to make artificial ants or mineral slabs as a healthy, natural nest and with an excellent conduction of humidity.

Create your own anthill by pouring it into a container, by silicone molding or any other creative means to obtain a natural, healthy and original result.

More resistant than Absorbent Concrete R5 and a little less absorbent, ideal for pouring a 3-4mm slab at the bottom of a plexi nest in order to make it healthier and more humid or to make a complete molding of the nest.

Created and used by Fourmiculture on a professional basis to improve the health and management of our livestock.

 

The advantages of our recipe:

• Developed especially for ants, its qualities are mastered for an optimal result.
• Absorbs humidity remarkably well, better than resinated plaster, over a minimum of 5cm continuously.
• Micro-porous for rapid hygrometric exchange, breathable and absorbent.
• No artificial additives, 100% healthy and environmentally friendly natural materials. Zero Volatile Organic Compounds.
• Very light dry tint for good contrast,
• Wet color that visibly shifts to dark beige to measure humidity.
• Exceptional fineness for castings, allows extremely detailed impressions to be made.
• Good fluidity for concrete, facilitates casting.
• Also suitable on only 3 to 4mm thickness for the slabs of the plexi nests.
• Naturally limits the proliferation of mold.
• Designed and made in France .

 

The origin of our research: Since the 2000s, mixtures of cement, sand, and various absorbents have been made in an artisanal manner for the manufacture of anthills. Existing mixtures such as non-absorbent “reconstituted stones” of varying qualities are also used. Obtaining a capacity for absorption and clear/wet color change is a crucial and delicate point as well as guaranteeing a solid mixture, healthy for the ants, easy to use and fine enough, at the risk of losing your colony if the result is not is not conclusive. Ants are not guinea pigs.

We therefore carried out our research and tests from the beginning of 2021 until the end of 2022 with the participation of materials specialists and engineers. After the theoretical development, 5 recipes were tested to obtain this final mixture, hence its name. We use it to make our own “bamboo” tubes with absorbent concrete slabs in order to improve the growth of our colonies and new anthill concepts. R5 absorbent concrete provides specific and consistent quality for ants. The exceptional results obtained motivate us to develop new products based on this innovation, but also to share it with our customers in its raw state. Latest evolution, the R6 recipe is more resistant to boring species and absorbs a little less humidity to avoid getting soggy.

 

A creative product to improve your chances of success: R6 Absorbent Concrete for Ants is a professional product offered to all our customers to open up creative possibilities and reduce failures. We will be delighted to discover your achievements. Remember to send us feedback with a photo of your creations, in exchange, we will offer you 1.50 euros discount on the first box with the code: REVIEW150 🙂

Example of realization:

Composition: Hydraulic binders including calcium carbonate (same chemical structure as marble, origin: France), sand, natural absorbent.

Usage tips :

1.  Fill a small container less than halfway with water.
2. Add our R6 absorbent concrete slowly until completely absorbed. There should be no liquid water remaining on the surface.
3. Add a little more powder if the texture is too fluid.
4. Mix with a utensil until obtaining a homogeneous mixture and good fluidity. Higher powder content increases final strength but may reduce fineness.
5. Pour it into the mold or the container provided. Pat if necessary to smooth and spread the mixture.

• Optimal mixing time: 1 minute 30 minutes.
• Practical duration of use: Approximately a quarter of an hour before thickening begins.
• Demolding time: 24 hours.
• Complete hardening: approximately 20 days.
• The mixture can be tinted using natural dyes (based on metal oxides) by mixing with the powder. Do a test beforehand to determine the desired shade.

These times are given at +20°C, they are lengthened at low temperature and reduced by heat.

Replaces absorbent mortar, reconstituted stone nests, allows you to make your own anthill, create an ant nest without buying cement. Ideal at home and in the classroom for educational work.