Tropical plant tank

[King of diamonds]

I have a 60L (13 gal) fish tank that I want to transform into a plant tank. Unfortunately my room is south facing so I get no direct sunlight at any point =(.

I plan to line the bottom with sanitized rocks, pebbles, moss and potting mix then filling up the remaining space as much as possible.

Unfortunetly my budget and knowledge of plants is sadly lacking. I do want orchids to feature promenently however due to cost these will be rather limited. I was thinking a few orchids scattered around with tropical bromelliads such as Neoregelia, Guzmania etc to flesh out the rest of the space.

The tank is 90cm long, 45cm wide and 30 cm high. I will need about 5 cm for the pebbles and potting mix/moss so the total height for plants is around 23cm. Humidity won't be too precise but the tank will have a lid so should be kept above 80%. I have a variety of computer fans to provide air circulation and a small heater and cooler depending on the plants chosen. The ambient temperature of the room is around 18 degrees Celsius (64F) occasionally rising to 19 or 20 but very rarely. I will likely need supplementary lighting so I am thinking of placing a 4w blue led light bulb in the tank as well as a few red Leds (hopefully this is the right way, if I remember biology plants like blue light and just need red to flower)

If you can think of any relatively common plants that would be suitable, tropical or not, please suggest them.


Thanks.

[WhiteRabbit]

here's a

I don't grow in terrariums, so can't really help you there. I do grow Haraella retrocalla on a windowsill, but think others grow them in terrariums - they're very small, and don't need much light. Hopefully others will have more suggestions for you.

good luck!

[King of diamonds]

Thanks.

Should I post in the terrarium section as well?

[Magnus A]

Hi
I think you will need extra light as a terrarium in a room (even in a south window in New Zeeland) will be dark.
For plants look for small plants without a significant dry restingperiod. There are a list of warmer groving small plants in this post warm growing Pleurothallids?

[WhiteRabbit]

Maybe a thread in the terrarium forum will help you get more replies, or I can move this one. I was thinking also maybe indicate in the title you are looking for suggestion, recommendation for your terrarium - or I can change the title of this thread if I can remember how to do that lol