Every great story needs a frame. The Bantamarium R2 series was designed to be exactly that: a perfect frame for your miniature world.
With its classic rectangular shape and unparalleled potential for customization, the R2 is our tribute to the creators, the storytellers, and the builders who see a blank canvas and envision a universe.
This guide is your handbook for mastering this unique enclosure. Here, you will learn how to leverage its unique features, transform its appearance, and build a themed habitat that is truly one-of-a-kind.
The R2 Anatomy: How It Works
The beauty of the R2 series lies in its deceptive simplicity.
While its form is a classic rectangle, every aspect of its design has been meticulously engineered to serve as a robust and highly functional foundation for your creative projects.
Understanding these core components is the first step to unlocking the R2’s full potential.
The Bantam R2 Core Frame
The foundation of the R2 is the Core Frame, a single, solid piece of durable plastic that forms the main body of the enclosure.
For a perfect, unobstructed rear view, the back acrylic panel is permanently sealed directly into this frame.
The Core Frame is also the hub for all connectivity and functionality; the V2-Compatible Portal Ports, the Top Opening, and the Liquid Feeder Port are all integrated directly into this robust central structure.
The Removable Front Panel & Sealing System
The front of the R2 is a masterpiece of user-friendly design. The Front Panel consists of a durable plastic frame with its own crystal-clear acrylic panel sealed into it.
This panel is designed for a secure, press-fit assembly. The Core Frame features a small interior ridge lined with an array of snap-fittings.
To assemble, you simply press the Front Panel firmly onto the Core until it clicks securely into place. For a superior habitat environment, a rubber gasket is seated inside the core’s ridge.
When the Front Panel is attached, this gasket creates a firm, air-tight seal, which is perfect for maintaining stable humidity levels in a terrarium and provides an extra layer of security for your inhabitants.
Universal & Customizable Lid Design
The Front Panel also serves as the enclosure’s “lid,” and it was brilliantly designed to be universal.
The interchangeable B.e Logo Tag is located on one of the front corners of the panel.
This clever placement means you can use the same Front Panel on both the Vertical and Horizontal orientations.
Just flip it 90 degrees, and the logo will always be perfectly positioned in the top corner of your build.
Choosing Your Orientation: Vertical vs. Horizontal
The most exciting decision when starting an R2 build is choosing your canvas. The R2 FLIP is available in two distinct orientations… Vertical and Horizontal… and each one lends itself to a different kind of storytelling and aesthetic.
The Vertical Orientation (6″ W x 8″ H)
The Vertical layout, often called “portrait mode,” is the perfect choice for scapes and themes that emphasize height and individual subjects.
Its tall frame is ideal for showcasing arboreal inhabitants that love to climb, creating towering jungle scapes, or housing a single, dramatic piece of hardscape.
For themed builds, it’s the ultimate frame for projects styled after a classic arcade cabinet or a “character portrait” of a specific creature.
The Horizontal Orientation (8″ W x 6″ H)
The Horizontal layout, or “landscape mode,” offers a wide, panoramic view perfect for sprawling scenes and dynamic environments.
This orientation gives you the space to create a vast, cinematic landscape or a long cross-section of an ant colony’s foraging grounds.
For themed builds, it’s the ideal canvas for emulating a retro TV screen or a classic movie scene, allowing you to tell a broader story within its frame.
The Ultimate Blank Canvas: Themed Builds
The Bantamarium R2 was born from a simple but powerful idea: what if an enclosure could be anything you wanted it to be?
Its rectangular shape is a deliberate choice, creating the perfect “blank canvas” for pop-culture tributes, artistic dioramas, and unique themed habitats.
Setting the Scene with Backdrops
The fastest way to establish a theme is with the perfect background. The R2 is designed to work seamlessly with our Bantam Backgrounds, a digital library of high-resolution printable art.
To install one, simply download your chosen design, print it out, and secure it against the rear acrylic panel with the R2 FLIP Back Cover add-on.
The Next Level: Skins & Props (Coming Soon)
The true transformation happens when you change the enclosure itself. We are currently developing a line of 3D-printed “skin” kits and props designed specifically for the R2 series.
These exterior add-ons will allow you to physically convert your R2 FLIP into iconic objects like a retro TV or a miniature arcade cabinet, providing the tools to build the most imaginative habitats on the planet.
Getting Started: Basic Care & Assembly
The Bantamarium R2 is engineered for a simple and intuitive user experience. From its tool-free assembly to its easy-to-clean surfaces, caring for your new enclosure is straightforward, allowing you to focus on the fun part… the build itself.
Assembly & Panel Removal
To attach the Front Panel, carefully align it with the ridge on the Core Frame and press firmly and evenly around the edges until you hear and feel it “click” into place.
To remove it for maintenance, gently but firmly pry the panel away from the core, starting at the corner behind the logo.
The secure, air-tight seal created by the rubber gasket may provide some resistance, which is normal.
Cleaning Your Bantam R2
To maintain the crystal-clear, panoramic view, we recommend cleaning all plastic and acrylic surfaces with a soft, damp microfiber cloth.
Avoid using paper towels or abrasive sponges, as these can cause permanent micro-scratches on the acrylic.
For a deeper clean, use warm water with a small amount of mild dish soap and rinse thoroughly.
General Tips for a Great Build
Plan Your Theme: Before you start building, consider what Bantam Background you’ll use or create your own, as well as how your internal scape will complement it.
Lighting Your Scene: The R2’s Top Opening is designed for the R2 Light Set add-on, which provides a vibrant, plant-capable light source.
Placement Matters: Avoid placing your enclosure in direct, prolonged sunlight, which can cause excess heat and encourage algae growth.
The Expanded Universe: Connecting Your Bantam R2
Your R2 FLIP is designed to be a stunning standalone display, but it’s also a true Bantamarium at its core… built for connection and expansion.
The integrated V2-compatible ports on the frame are your gateways to a larger world.
Imagine your retro-themed R2 FLIP serving as the most unique ant farm outworld on the planet, connected directly to an R2 or C2 Colony nest.
The R2’s ability to connect means your art piece can be a functional, thriving, and ever-growing part of a much larger ecosystem.
Your Canvas Awaits
The Bantamarium R2 series was designed for one purpose: to give you a perfect frame for your imagination.
It’s a canvas for dioramas, a stage for your inhabitants, and a tribute to your favorite themes. You have the tools and the knowledge; now, the story is yours to write.
Explore the R2 series, choose your orientation, and start building a world that is uniquely and unapologetically you.
