Orchidarium first-timer! Please help me pick the right lighting!!!

[professor plant]

I have been growing in terrariums for the last few years and have tried a few different bulbs. Each in effort to provide a proper amount of light with a low impact on increased temps.

All three of my tanks are about the same size. exo terra's 18x18x24".

For first tank I bought a 54 wt cool spiral CFL and made a reflector. It worked OK, but burnt out in less than a year. The cost was about $50.00.

The second tank has a 2ft 2 bulb T5 fixture from a Hyrdoponic company. The cost is about $89.00 for the fixture and $9.00 per bulb, which should be changed every 9-12 months. This fixture sits with a 1" overhang on each side on my tank.

The third has 2 of Ray's LED bulbs, together costing about $50.00 and 2 13 wt cool CFL. One of each in an exo terra hood, costing about $27.00 each. These lights are supposed to be very low with heat output, but I find them to be the highest.

When I purchase a 4th tank I will opt for the 4 bulb, 4 ft. fixture made by Sunblaze for $169.00. This way I can cover two tanks side by side for less cost. These lights also daisy chain to others making it easier for setup.

I run 2-3 computer fans with 9V chargers that I cut and wired myself for a buck a piece. They all run 24 hours a day.

I have my plants about 4" off the base, supported by eggcrate on plastic pots. Many of the plants are mounted and held to the sides with suction cups, allowing me to easily remove them for watering and adjusting according to light needs.

One tank has an exo terra fogger, $60.00 that provides humidity/ fog 3X a day for fifteen minutes, by I find it unnecessary because the tanks will maintain over 80% humidity all the time, with the fans running.

I mist, most plants, twice a day. I water and fertilize each plant outside of the tank once a week. I only used distilled water. About 4 gallons a week.

Each tank is covered with a piece of plexi glass from Home Depot for $9. The light fixtures all sit flush on top of the tanks.

Don't be overly concerned with having the absolute best lights. Your phals will bloom with any I have mentioned. I grow a variety of miniatures and paphs with various light needs so I have tried to accomodate them accordingly. I find that my lights will often bring out purple pigment in leaves, showing the plants are growing as bright as they can.

Good luck with your terrarium. I find them to be extremely rewarding and they have allowed me to bloom plants that I was never able to grow well.

Chad

[Miadunn]

Thanks Chad for the comparison information!!

I think that I will go with the T5s 2 bulb light and give it a whirl for now..

Originally Posted by professor plant

I run 2-3 computer fans with 9V chargers that I cut and wired myself for a buck a piece. They all run 24 hours a day.

As for the fans, would it be hard for a girl that knows nothing about this to put together.

Could you guide me in what exactly I would need to buy? I tried looking but it was kind of confusing...

Is this one like Naoki was talking about?

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2102825#pr-header-2102825

Just not sure how to make these fans into something I could plug in the wall and I don't want to blow anything up!! hahaha

[professor plant]

Regarding the comment by Naoki, I do not know the exact light measurements, but I don't worry about that too much. I try to buy quality lights, for a reasonable price and I judge their value on the way the plants respond to the light.

The LED's that FirstRay's sells work great. I had to move a Catt. aclandiae and 2 miniature vanda crosses down, because they were turning too purple for my taste, even with increased fertilizer. It's also winter so I am not trying to give them too much. For the price they are the brightest. But I grow mostly cooler growing plants and this increased the temps more than I would prefer. I could separate them from the top, but the hoods look good sitting flush with the tank. I just moved cooler plants to another tank.

Regardless of what light system you choose. I have had success with all of them. I have bloomed many plants that I could have never grown without the tanks. The lights are just one component. Plants like phal's, hybrids or species, will grow well under any mentioned. So will many other orchids.

(Regarding the fans) I bought a dozen computer fans for $1 each. They all have 3 colored, covered wires. Black, red and yellow.

Cut the yellow wire. You do not need it. Cut it at the base of the fan and cover it with electrical tape.

Separate the black and red wires a few inches from each other. At each end, red and black, burn the plastic covering the wire ends leaving about 1" of bare wire. Twist the wire strains in one circular direction. This way of burning the tips is easier then cutting the plastic without cutting the thin copper strands in the process.

You will do the same for each fan and the power unit that plugs into the wall. You want to make sure that each fan, I use 2-3, are wired red to red, and black to black. Than each of those, one combined groups of red wires, and one of blacks, get wired to one side of the power units wires. The wires on the power supply will be closer together. You will need to separate them by slitting it down the center and pulling them apart. Again, you only need a few inches, in order to burn the tips of and twist together.

By my explanation, I am sure you can tell I am not an electrician, nor claim to have the proper instructions. I experiment and make it work. I have burned out fans with power units that were too strong. That's the worst that can happen in the process. I do not like working with electricity, but this is very easy.

I look for 9V chargers that were once used for older cell phones. They are usually many to choose from. I just pick around and try a few. It's cheap and easy. I pay $1-3 a piece for them.

Make sure you clean all of your fans and anything that goes into the tank. I use either alcohol or bleach. I may not be perfect about it, but I do a thorough job. Also cover all of your bare copper wires that you twisted together with electrical tape. I do this after I plug it in and make sure that it works.

You may want to start by trying one fan to the power supply. The wires only have to touch to transmit the current and make the fan work. Once you have it right, tape them up.

Make sure you do not let the wires cross together between black and red when they powe unit is plugeed in. They could spark. They usually do not at this low amount of electricity, but could. Either way, it should be avoided.

I encourage you to give it a shot. If you went to a place like Radio Shack, I think they would be willing to help you out. It only takes a few minutes.

I hope you find something that works for you. I spent a lot of time with trial and error. Everybody's goal in mind for what they want to achieve is different.