General question about air circulation

[Nish07]

Hi,

I come over here for info every once in a while on plants and tanks. I'm mostly focused on frog vivariums and plants that do well in tropical temps/humidity (I do have some orchids).

I just finished putting together a grow out tank (for propagation and growing plants out before putting them into the vivs). I'm just wondering, how much air circulation (internal as the tank is sealed) should I be giving the plants?

I will have everything from restrepia, begonias, gesneriads, bromeliads to moss in here and the humidity is 80-100% at most times.

Here is the way the tank is set up:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3051/...16bc52ef_b.jpg

The false bottom allows about an inch of water to accumulate and keep humidity up while allowing plants to drain and not sit in water. On the sides are the fans. They are one 80mm 33 cfm computer fans cemented between two 3" ABS 90 degree elbows on each side.

When and for how often should these fans be running? What about day vs. night?

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

-Nish

[Nish07]

Bumping this once to see if I get a response. I haven't the faintest idea how much I should be running these but I do know that air circulation is generally considered good. Any info would be great.

-Nish

[Ray]

The idea behind air movement for plants is to provide gentle turbulence and mild refreshing, 24 hours/day.

In that setup, it looks like you'll be blowing the humidity out if you run the cans all the time.

[Nish07]

Hi,

There are glass tops that (just about) seal the vivarium.

With the tank sealed. I've been going 30min on 1.5 hour off all day and nothing at night. Is this good?

-Nish

Originally Posted by Ray

The idea behind air movement for plants is to provide gentle turbulence and mild refreshing, 24 hours/day.

In that setup, it looks like you'll be blowing the humidity out if you run the cans all the time.

[tmaxwell]

If it was me, I'd run it at night as well. Helps keep water in the air, not spotting everything up as it condenses. As far as schedule, that's about what I do, 1/4 of the time running. You could probably leave them on most (if not all) of the time, as long as it is decently sealed.
Looks like a nice setup, your plants will do fine!
good luck,
tyler