Stackable Ant Queen Incubator V2 - 18mm Test Tube

thingiverse

# The Ant Queen Incubator Version 2 - The Stackable! As a seller, I catch so many queens and keeping them organized can prove challenging at times. So, I designed an [incubator, version 1, here](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4847905). But deep down, I knew it was inadequate. It had some nice features, heat cables and removable lids and such, but I knew it could be better. With such a large footprint, the moment I exceeded 5 test tubes, I'd have to print another and that would eat up shelf space... What could be the solution I asked myself? It lingered with me, an itch I couldn't scratch, a thirst I could quench. The nightmares wouldn't stop. Queens everywhere! Dozens of test tubes! BUT NO WHERE TO PUT THEM! Then, one day, it hit me! Reach higher. Literally. The incubator must go higher, taller rather, to greater heights. I knew I had found the answer, and with it, my destiny! *Introducing* the one incubator to rule them all! AntTech brings you the stackable incubator! Never again, shall you struggle with loose test tubes in dresser drawers or layed out across bookshelves. Breath easy my friends, I got you. ### UPDATES 2022/08/26: I have revised the model and decided the heating cable is best removed from the inside of the incubator. The files for the incubator have now been re-added as Version 2.1. The heat cable pipe is now external to the incubator itself, allowing contact with the tube but also allowing for ventilation and preventing the incubator itself from insulating too much heat. This version allows for contact but also heat dispersion into the air, preventing overheating of the test tube. It also moves the heating cable closer to the end of the tube, allowing for more of a heat gradient. The heat pipe also has a thin cutout in the bottom, wide enough for the heating cable to be slid in sideways but not out once rotated. This is an overall more efficient design. 2022/08/02: **IMPORTANT - Please read before printing** I am currently doing some redesigns on the heat cable pipe as, despite my previous efforts, I have found that the heat cable actually makes too much contact, causing overheating of the test tube and actually killed some of my founding queens recently. I have temporarily removed the files to prevent download of these until I have fixed it. If you have an earlier version of this printed, please do not use the heat cable port. I am redesigning it such that any previous version will still be stackable with the newer model. If you have already downloaded the files and intend on printing this, please wait until re-upload the fixed files. Thank you for the support and this will be fixed soon. 2022/06/16: Moved the heat cable position. For starters, I didn't like how much the heat cable sticks up into the incubator. There is a lot of contact with the test tubes and at times I feel it even gets too warm against the tube for the ants. The heat cable is now closer to the front of the incubator by a several millimeters and lowered as well. This serves multiple purposes. The heat cable pipe now cuts out the bottom allowing easier add/removal of the heat cable from the incubator rather than having to wrap it through as before. You simply turn a heat cable sideways to slide it in and adjust as needed. This also lowers the pipe by 2 mm, shrinking the amount of contact against the tube, and opens the bottom of the pipe, allowing for better ventilation. This does however add the problem of exposing the rack below it if you are not using a heat cable. I've added a small heat cable shield plate as well as a pipe plug. Choose you preference for blocking light from getting in. You could also just plug it with a cotton ball. ### Note - Version 1 and 2 Compatability If you have previously printed my [*Ant Queen Tube Incubator - 18 mm Test Tube*](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4847905), aka Version 1, this version includes an attachment frame to attach Version one to a shelf in this version. This is a completely different version, designed from scratch but with the same dimensions as my previous version. ### Printing Notes I highly recommend printing at .1 or .2 layer height. Mine was printed at .2.