Water Feeder

1 × PLA Water Feeder base

1 × clear plastic water vial

External feeder dimensions: To be confirmed

Vial capacity: To be confirmed

Vial diameter: To be confirmed

Materials: PLA and clear plastic

The Water Feeder is designed to sit inside an ant outworld or other suitable feeding area.

Before use, check that:

• The feeder fits comfortably on the floor
• There is enough vertical clearance to remove the vial for refilling
• The feeder cannot be used as a bridge to an escape point
• It does not obstruct connectors, doors or access points

The Water Feeder is designed for ant keepers who want to provide a dedicated drinking-water source without placing an open dish of water inside the outworld.

It is suitable for:

• Queens with their first workers
• Small developing colonies
• Established colonies requiring an additional water source
• Colonies housed in nests without permanent drinking-water access
• Keepers wanting a simple refillable water source
  

It can be used alongside a hydrated nest.

Nest hydration provides the moisture conditions required within the nesting area, while the Water Feeder gives workers direct access to drinking water.

1. Remove the clear plastic vial from the PLA base.
2. Fill the vial with clean drinking water.
3. Carefully fit the vial into the Water Feeder base. Invert the PLA base and insert the vial, then flip
4. Once the vial is correctly seated, do not press it further down.
5. Place the assembled feeder upright on a dry, level surface and check for excessive water loss.
6. Position the feeder on a flat section of the ant outworld.
7. Make sure the drinking openings remain accessible and free from substrate or debris.
   

A small amount of moisture around the drinking area is not necessarily a problem, but water should not continuously pool around the feeder.

If water is being forced through the openings, remove the vial and reassemble the feeder without applying downward pressure.

Check the Water Feeder regularly to make sure water remains available and the drinking openings remain clear.

Refill it before the vial becomes completely dry and remove any substrate, waste or debris that accumulates around the drinking area.

After each refill, check the feeder on a dry surface before placing it back inside the outworld.

Do not push the vial further down once it has been seated in the base, as this can increase the pressure inside the vial and force water through the drinking openings.

Cleaning

Remove the feeder from the outworld before cleaning.

• Remove the plastic vial from the PLA base
• Rinse the vial with warm water
• Rinse or wipe the PLA base using lukewarm water
• Ensure the small drinking openings remain clear
• Use a soft brush if necessary to remove residue
• Rinse away visible contamination
• Allow all parts to dry before reassembly
  

Do not use boiling water, dishwashers, solvents, bleach or strongly scented cleaning products.

High temperatures can deform PLA, while chemical residues may be harmful to ants.

Avoid using tools that could enlarge or damage the drinking openings.

How does the Water Feeder work?

Water is stored inside the clear vial and supplied through the small drinking openings in the feeder.

Once assembled correctly, the water remains available to the ants without giving them access to a large open pool.

Does it use cotton?

No. The current Water Feeder does not use cotton or any other absorbent material.

Ants drink directly from the small openings in the feeder.

How full should I fill the vial?

The vial can be filled with clean drinking water before being fitted into the base.

After assembly, place the feeder on a dry surface briefly and check that water is not continuously escaping before returning it to the colony.

Why did water come out when I fitted the vial?

Do not push the vial further into the feeder once it is seated.

Pressing down on the vial compresses the air trapped inside and can force water out through the drinking openings.

If this happens, remove the feeder, wipe away the excess water and reassemble it without applying downward pressure.

Why is my Water Feeder leaking?

Check that:

• The feeder is standing level
• The vial is not damaged
• The vial has not been pushed down after being seated
• Nothing is pressing against or obstructing the drinking openings
• Substrate or debris is not drawing water away from the feeder
  

If water continues to escape freely, remove the feeder from the colony and check the assembly before using it again.

Can ants drown in it?

The small drinking openings greatly limit the ants' access to exposed water compared with an open dish.

The feeder should still be checked after refilling. If a pool of water forms around it, remove and reset the feeder before returning it to the ants.

Certain small species can still enter the holes, check often for swimmers

Can it be used for sugar water?

The Water Feeder is intended primarily for plain drinking water.

Sugar solutions can leave sticky or crystallised residue, obstruct the small openings and require considerably more frequent cleaning. A separate feeding dish is preferable for sugars.

Does it replace nest hydration?

No.

The Water Feeder provides drinking water for the workers. Species requiring particular humidity or moisture conditions within the nest will still need an appropriate nest-hydration system.

Where should I place it?

Place the feeder upright on a flat, stable section of the outworld floor.

Avoid positioning it where:

• Substrate can cover the drinking openings
• Decorations can press against it
• It could provide a bridge to the lid or escape barrier
• It could easily be knocked over