How often do you change water in humidity trays - Orchid Board

cabbo · #1 02-11-2009, 09:24 PM

I started using humidity trays about a 2 weeks ago. The water already looks nasty. How often do you all change the water? I imagine that the stagnant water is a good breeding ground for somebody. I can almost hear my wife complaining already! (no offense ladies)

boytjie · #2 02-11-2009, 09:35 PM

If you put a little Physan or ordinary household bleach in the water, it will help keep algae and other "nasties" from developing. I find I only have to change the water once a month that way.

Donald · #3 02-12-2009, 12:43 PM

I have copper humidity trays filled with lava rock. There is a reaction between the two that prevents algae and other gunk from building up. I've been letting my water evaporate this way for over five years with no problems. That includes any form of pest etc.

kinknstein · #4 02-12-2009, 01:10 PM

Hi Donald
Where do you find the copper trays? I have only ever found the plastic or terra cotta trays, but your copper trays with lava rock sounds really interesting and I might likke to try it.

camille1585 · #5 02-12-2009, 01:13 PM

I very rarely clean out my trays and don't have problems with algae. maybe it's because I refill only when it's bone dry (I'm not good at remembering to refill them!)

Royal · #6 02-12-2009, 01:20 PM

I don't "change" the water in mine. I just let it dry completely every few weeks. I just suck out as much as I can with a turkey baster and let the rocks dry out.

beanluc · #7 02-12-2009, 08:50 PM

Adding any copper to the gravel will take care of it, I don't think there's anything special about the copper/lavarock combination.

I have old-time copper pennies under my gravel, just a half dozen per square foot of tray surface area. If you have any U.S. wheat-back pennies, they'll do. Or if you have any copper electrical wire, strip the insulation off and clip it into 1cm pieces.