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05-17-2011, 10:24 AM
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Jr. Member
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Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 16
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New vivarium - help
I have just set up a 20 gallon vivarium and need some advice on humidity and air circulation!
I have not yet installed a small computer fan nor humidifier, but plan to soon. The vivarium has a closed top with about one inch opening along the back.
Humidity is stable around 90%
will my orchids rot out?
I have a Bulbo (cork and sphag), Brassia (cork and sphag)
And 2 paphs in pots (sphag)
I'm especially worried about the slippers
Thanks
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05-17-2011, 10:40 AM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: St. Louis, MO
Posts: 3,806
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It really only takes one day for mold to develop. I'd remove the orchids until you get proper air flow. The leaves should be slightly moving. How long the air stays on is a matter of observation.
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05-17-2011, 01:28 PM
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Moderator
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Join Date: May 2005
Zone: 7b
Location: Queens, NY, & Madison County NC, US
Age: 44
Posts: 19,374
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Agreed, you need air flow now. I know that the orchids will rot in 1-3 days without it.
__________________
"We must not look at goblin men,
We must not buy their fruits:
Who knows upon what soil they fed
Their hungry thirsty roots?"
Goblin Market
by Christina Georgina Rossetti
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05-17-2011, 02:35 PM
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Jr. Member
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Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 16
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Ok thanks...will install fan right away.
Is there any risk of shorting the fan with such high humidity?
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05-17-2011, 02:41 PM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: St. Louis, MO
Posts: 3,806
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Yes. Run anything electrical off of a GFCI switch if possible. If not, then get a GFCI extension cord to plug it into. I got mine from Home Depot.
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05-17-2011, 02:55 PM
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Jr. Member
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Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 16
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What does the GFCI switch do? Does it protect the fan or just prevent the circuit from breaking?
(sorry, not an electrician..)
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05-17-2011, 03:02 PM
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Jr. Member
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Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 16
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Sorry, too many questions...
will 1 fan be enough? Its rated at 2500rpm and 0.11 A
I was going to keep m=it running 24/7 and have humidifier kick in a couple minutes every couple hours (but only in the day)
does this sound ok?
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05-17-2011, 04:06 PM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: St. Louis, MO
Posts: 3,806
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It's ok. I have lots of questions too when it comes to terrarium building as I just started myself. In fact, this is one of my questions as well-how long and how strong should the air flow be. I understand that the leaves should be slightly moving, but if I leavethe fan on for anything longer than 15 minutes per hour my humidity drops and does not recover. Hopefully someone more experienced can give you a better answer and I can learn from it as well!
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05-17-2011, 04:32 PM
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Moderator
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Join Date: May 2005
Zone: 7b
Location: Queens, NY, & Madison County NC, US
Age: 44
Posts: 19,374
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I don;t think humidity should drop if the fan is recirculating only the air within the vivarium. If you have the fan bringing in air from outside then yea humidity will drop. I have the fans that bring in air from outside. I have them run around midday to cool off the viv, and run for a few hours at night. The orchids seem fine and don't dry out.
__________________
"We must not look at goblin men,
We must not buy their fruits:
Who knows upon what soil they fed
Their hungry thirsty roots?"
Goblin Market
by Christina Georgina Rossetti
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05-17-2011, 05:27 PM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: St. Louis, MO
Posts: 3,806
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Oops, I should has said that mine was bringing air in from outside but I have recently out the fan on the inside to see if that would make a difference.
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