DillAnt Invertebrate Thermal Systems
End User Guide
Thank you for choosing DillAnt to support your colony’s growth. Our heat mats are commercial-grade, fully sealed, waterproof and are designed to safely mimic natural underground thermal gradients.
Below are the tailored operating procedures for both variations of our heat mat system:
DillAnt Thermostat Controlled System (HM-1910-C) and the DillAnt Ambient Heat System (HM-1910).
Essential Safety Rules (Both Variations)
Before setting up your hardware, strictly observe the following rules to protect your colonies and your home:
* DO NOT IMMERSE IN WATER: While the mat surfaces are 100% waterproof and easy to clean, never submerge the mats or any electrical plugs in water.
* DO NOT PUNCTURE: Never puncture, slice, or tear the heat mat surface.
* NO EXTERNAL INSULATION: Do not wrap the mats or cover them with insulating materials (such as towels, blankets, or thick foam). This can trap heat abnormally.
* NO DIRECT SUNLIGHT: Never use these mats in direct sunlight or in combination with high-output grow lights, as this may quickly overheat your setup and rapidly dry out your colony’s hydration reservoirs.
DillAnt Thermostat Controlled Heat Mat (HM-1910-C)
Features a precision digital display controller with an external thermal probe for automated climate control.
Step-by-Step Setup
1. Position the Mat: Lay the heat mat flat on a smooth, dry surface. Ensure the surface is free of rough or sharp debris that could compromise the sealed material.
2. Establish the Thermal Gradient: Position it so it sits under only 1/3 to 1/2 of your ant nest or invertebrate setup to create a vital thermal gradient. Note: the path of the heating element can be seen, this can aid in positioning your ant nests for optimal heating.
3. Position the Probe: Slide the temperature probe directly under the heat mat (sandwiched securely between the bottom of the mat and the surface it rests on). Placed here, the probe is protected from being moved or insulated by external air currents, ensuring stable, safe regulation.
4. Power On: Plug the controller box into a standard wall outlet. Press the On/Off button to illuminate the digital display.
Programming the Controller
* Setting the Temperature: Press the Up (▲) or Down (▼) buttons to adjust your target temperature.
* Saving Your Setting: The numbers on the display will flash while you make adjustments. Once you stop pressing, the screen will stop flashing after a few seconds, automatically locking in your target.
* Automation: The controller will now continuously monitor the probe and automatically cycle power to the mat to keep it at your exact target setting.
DillAnt Ambient Heat Mat (HM-1910)
Features a simple plug-and-play design that continuously warms up to a safe threshold above your current room temperature.
Step-by-Step Setup
1. Position the Mat: Place the mat on a smooth, flat, dry, and stable surface. Ensure the surface is free of rough or sharp debris that could compromise the sealed material.
2. Establish the Thermal Gradient: Position your enclosure so that it sits across only 1/3 to 1/2 of the mat area. Because this model does not use an active digital thermostat cut-off, leaving a clear “cool zone” on the unheated side of the nest is completely vital for your invertebrates to self-regulate. Note: the path of the heating element can be seen, this can aid in positioning your ant nests for optimal heating.
3. Power On: Plug the power cord directly into a AC wall outlet to immediately activate the radiant heating elements. Or plug the power cord into a third party digital thermostat controller, see below for recommendations.
4. Long-Term Idle Care: When this unit is not required (such as during peak summer days or colony diapause), physically unplug the heating mat from the power source to eliminate idle power consumption.
Thermal Performance Expected
* Radiant Warmth: This mat is intelligently engineered to warm up consistently to 5°C–10°C above your ambient room temperature.
* Ambient Considerations: Because it scales with the room temperature, track your indoor climate. If your room temperature hits 25°C, the mat surface will naturally sit between 30°C and 35°C—making the creation of a physical unheated cool zone in the enclosure mandatory.
* Controller Recommendation: Whilst not essential, it is recommended that this heat mat be used in conjunction with a digital thermostat controller to ensure your invertebrates are not overheating. We have tested the INKBIRD ITC-306 Temperature Controller. This controller has a dual outlet allowing for two heat mats to be controlled simultaneously. This is quite handy if being used for a large colony or a number of founding queens. This controller also has additional features as outlined in the link below. Here is a link to our recommendation, we do not receive any commissions from this.
https://amzn.asia/d/00mJl7vi
Invertebrate Care & Thermal Management
Recommended Temperature Target
For most Australian and international species, the ideal target temperature inside the warm zone typically ranges between 22°C and 28°C. Unless you are keeping highly specialized, ultra-tropical north Australian species, keep settings and exposure zones strictly below 30°C.
Essential Management Factors
* Species Check: Cool-climate species (e.g., Southern Australian Myrmecia or Rhytidoponera) prefer the lower end of the spectrum (22°C–24°C), while northern or desert species thrive on the higher end (26°C–28°C).
* The Hydration Factor: Added heat accelerates evaporation. Check your nest water towers, test tubes, and sponge hydration systems twice as frequently when using any heat mat variation. A dry nest can be fatal to eggs, larvae, and the queen in a matter of hours.
* External Verification: Always use an independent digital thermometer inside or on the side of the enclosure to verify the exact temperature gradient your invertebrates are experiencing.
Cleaning & Maintenance
Ensure the unit is completely unplugged from the wall before cleaning. Because both mat variations feature a premium, fully sealed exterior, you can easily wipe down the surfaces with a damp cloth and mild disinfectant to remove any dirt, organic matter, or liquid spills. Never submerge or spray water onto the digital controller box or the electrical plugs.
Would you like to add a troubleshooting section to this combined manual (such as dealing with fluctuating room temperatures or probe placement errors), or should we draft the physical packaging box text next?