Exo Terra nano cube
 

I have been kicking around the idea of a tiny terrarium. I have several small terrariums of one size or another, even use a glass orb for a small orchid. I have a 12x12x18 Exo Terra that I love and have kept for a couple of years.

Now it seems the 8x8x8 nano cube is something I’m wanting to try. I have orchids to use, low light to shade requirements. I’m talking micro minis like Trisetella strumosa, Macroclinium aurorae and maybe Zygostates alleniana, Lepanthes calodictyon. This small cube won’t hold many.

Anyone have this size terrarium? I have looked around online trying to find a light fixture other than the Exo Terra as it is too large and looks overwhelming on this little cube. I wish Exo Terra had supplied an appropriate size fixture. Any ideas for something smaller, low profile maybe? I guess I could locate the cube in a bright area and forget about adding light? Hmmm, still thinking. Thanks for any suggestions.

Have you tried Josh's Frogs?

Exo Terra NANO Compact Top (8” x 3.5” x 5.9”) - LED Lighting | Josh's Frogs

LED Lighting | Josh's Frogs

No Exoterras, but I do grow miniatures in similar sized enclosures (6x6x8 glass cubes). Managed to keep about a half dozen of these empty cubes from a retired fishroom (several years ago) when I was working with Betta channoides and Betta imbellis.

I figured I would put them back to use with some small orchids. Nothing fancy/no frills. I use a single Cree CXA1304 5,000K 95CRI LED (they are small & efficient cobs with about a 1/2" footprint, driven around 350ma with a forward voltage of about +/- 10 volts, mounted in a small DIY pendant fixture) for light. This light source has proven to be favorable for my plants (on-off via a timer ~ lights on for about 10 hours). Light sits on a glass pane that is directly on top of the cubes.

I keep a good 1" plus substrate of hygro balls covered with distilled water. I like tree fern (that's just me), so I
usually use these for mounts. A glass pane sits on top of the cubes, with about a 1" gap near the back for ventilation. Have not encountered any problems thus far (even with what I consider to be stagnant air) . Algae on glass and substrate is almost non-existent (might have to clean a little off the glass every 4-6 months, and maybe a quick rinse of the hygro balls if necessary).

Stays nice and humid inside of the cubes (usually mist my plants, or I guess what I should really say: dampen & fertilize the moss around my orchids about once a week). Might have to top off the substrate (hydro balls) about once a month or so. These cubes are a lot of fun, and require little maintenance and effort. Started growing Taxiphyllum barbieri on the bottom of a couple of my cubes (on top of the hygro balls) with good results. I will probably do this with all of them... I like the way it looks. Here's an example (photo below) to give a visual idea, if it is of any help.

https://i.imgur.com/r5mZDSR.jpg

Leafmite, thank you for your response! Joshfrogs was actually my first stop when shopping online and later their expert emailed me asking if I needed assistance. I explained my issue with the chunky Exo Terra fixture and they were going to get back to me. Nothing yet from them.

The Exo Terra fixture is just loo tall, overwhelms the little cube imo. It is the same fixture as I use on my 12x12x18.

On the other hand, the Zoo Med is much more compact and actually what I am looking for. Thanks for that! The dimensions show that fixture as 7.125 wide + rails so I’m thinking it could just sit on top of the tank without the rails? Not sure the rails are removable. That light is LED which I’ve not used before, 6500k could be a bit strong though I could manage some sort of shade cloth addition at the top. I really like the look of this light! I had planned to use glass or plexiglass at the top with an inch left open for circulation. I’ll see what I can do, I appreciate your suggestions, thank you!

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Wisdomseeker, WOW that is beautiful! You certainly have managed to reuse these tanks well. The glass top adds to the unique finished look.

I have looked at dome fixtures as well, not really loving the top of them with the cord but I’ve not ruled them out completely. Yours looks great! I just cannot go with the Exo Terra as it is almost goofy looking on a 8” cube.

Thanks for posting your picture, that is quite the little display and your plants seem perfectly happy!

Seems I’ve got a decision to make yet. Thank you very much!

Paul, yes this helps quite a lot. I have a setup similar to yours without a lid. I cut plastic wrap to fit the opening and it works very well. At one time I was growing a Lepanthes calodictyon along with a Lepanthopsis astrophora stalky in that set up. The astrophora outgrew the set up and I had a bad experience with fungus gnats that practically killed the calodictyon. At this time, my ball tank is empty. The astrophora is growing like a weed and the calodictyon is slowly recovering. I really miss the teenie flowers on the calodictyon and hope to see it flower again one day.

I had been plant shopping with my daughter for small Tropicals and I’m just sure those plants brought the gnats. By the time I realized what was causing the calodictyon to fail, it was almost too late. I hate those gnats and normally don’t have issues with them.

What do you use for light on your setup? I had mine sitting alongside my Exo Terra in a bright kitchen, no extra light. This nano I’m considering may not need a light depending on where I set it up. I am learning towards the Zoo Med as I like the low profile. The small tanks just scream for micro minis! I may have to add a satellite dish myself.

That's what carnivorous plants are for ... or mosquito dunks. :biggrin:


Currently it sits on the end of my lighted plant stand which uses daylight spectrum fluorescent tubes. Thinking of moving it a little further in as the caly. looks a bit etiolated. (The light quality at the last 6inches on either end of a fluor. tube is greatly inferior to that of the rest of the tube.

Thank you Paul. I added CPs last summer after the gnats, I’ve not had any issues since. They are great little bug catchers though they’ve not eaten any in some time. I may pop them outside on my porch once in awhile now that the weather is warming, certain to grab a meal.

I’m still on the fence about a fixture, leaning towards the Zoo Med. Otherwise I may just pick a bright location near a window and go from there. The nano tank is calling my name, I’ve got to try one.

Your input is much appreciated thanks!

Good luck with it! I have a table top greenhouse but it is under my other lights, partially shaded by a Piper and the vanilla. I haven't had to get any dedicated lighting for it.

You could make your own custom top using LED light strips. Find a suitable material to place on top of the tank. The LED strips are adhesive. You could get the strips in a variety of color temperatures as well. You could cut the strips and then solder the connection (not sure if I'm using the right terminology here). I have successfully grown cattleyas and my Dendrobium laevifolium with LED strips (which I've attached to the inner perimeter of my T5 fixture).

Pattywack.... Custom LED lights for Vivariums, Terrariums and Aquariums – Spectral Designs might do a custom light build

Thanks everyone for your suggestions! I ordered the Nano tank from Josh Frogs and I decided to go with the Zoo Med ReptiSun LED light. Thank you Leafmite!

It has 6500k daylight ho LEDs, 620 nm red LEDs and 465 nm blue LEDs to simulate nighttime “lunar effect”. The fixture is 5”x1”x7.125” so should sit on top very well. The adjustable rails are removable so that’s a plus!

The 6500k may be a bit much for the plants I intended to use, apparently I will need a shade cloth of some sort or be very selective in the placement of my plants. All part of the challenge and the fun! I am excited about getting started on this micro project, going to arrive tomorrow. I’ll post updates...again thank you all.

Always fun to start a new project. Looking forward to the finish terrarium.

It certainly is fun to start a new project. The Exo Terra I have is almost two years old now and I spent weeks planning and gathering supplies and plants for it. Half of the fun was the planning. I used the original ugly background on my tank and hacked it down much thinner and covered open areas between the mounts with live moss. I also attached bittersweet vine to the background to create a couple of ledges that are now almost impossible to see. All the planning seems to take a long time and I throughly enjoy it.

Watching everything grow and fill in has been very satisfying, I could have several of these and enjoy them all! I do miss having the little Pleurothallis rubella in there as it was always flowering.

FedEx is showing out for delivery, yay!

The nano tank and light arrived today. Wow this is so small and cute, I can’t wait to get going with it. The Zoo Med light is awesome, just the low profile look I wanted. It has adjustable brackets to fit tanks 9” to 13” wide and they are just a bit too wide for the nano at 8”. I originally thought to remove the brackets and set the light on the tank frame but it is too easily knocked around.

I decided to leave the brackets in place and adjust the side of the tank frame to a nice snug fit. The fixture can still be easily moved to front or back of the tank. I used adhesive weather strip pieces on the side of the tank frame just below the clips that lock the mesh top in place. Looks ok to me and made for a more stable fit.

As for now the background is staying in place, I may or may not use it. I am excited to get the little tank set up, need to finally decide on which plants I want to use. Here are a few pictures of the little nano and the light fixture. Exo Terra really needs to adjust the size of their light for these small tanks, this one is perfect.

How's your nano project doing?

Nano
 

Thanks for asking, sorry I’ve been slow to reply. I finished planting the nano yesterday, I think, I may add a few cuttings of Drockrillia torresae if I can make myself cut the plant!

This nano has been a bit difficult and very different than my other Exo Terra due to the small size, especially the depth. I found the Zoo Med light and love it BUT it’s 6500K and this tank is not very deep. I’ve added a bit of shade cloth materials, we’ll see how this works in the next few days. All of the plants are ones I already owned, already growing under 6500k, just not as close to the bulbs. For now, if the plants show any signs of too much light, I’ll remove them. As much as I enjoy “playing” with this, I’ll not sacrifice a plant for my enjoyment.

Final placement of the nano may make a huge difference. If I decide to place this little tank in a fairly bright location, the lights won’t be used as long so ...

Most of these plants require low light. That has been my issue. Again, they have grown well for me (most of them) for at least a year with this same amount of light and have flowered. I’m just going to have to watch them, carefully.

Anyway, as for the setup: the Exo Terra background had to go. I had a pretty large piece of 1/2 round cork bark and broke it into pieces. Then I puzzled it together to try and make a background I could be happy with. I ended up gluing 4 pieces together for the back and used a single piece at the right side just because I liked the way it looked. This cork had some natural pockets that I’ve used to plant a couple of plants in. I think I want to add Drockrillia torresae to the top of this right sides cork piece as it is screaming for something up there!

I used Zoo Med clay balls for the floor and added forrest moss on top. The two plants on the floor are potted in net pots for easy removal. Everything in here can be easily removed if necessary.

My initial hold up...Macroclinium aurorae! I had to have this awesome little plant. I first saw one at a show in October of 2017 and could not get over the tiny plant with the beautiful flowers. The plant I wanted was in J&L’s display and the only one they had with them at the show. Cordelia told me I could order one, so I did! My plant arrived healthy and gorgeous. It began flowering two weeks ago, and still has two flowers just hanging on. It is the coolest little orchid! I waited to plant this tank as the aurorae was my inspiration and I wanted to display it properly.

A second little treasure in here is Trisetella strumosa. It is potted and doing well. This plant came from Glass Box Tropicals, it adjusted well and will be a great addition to this tiny tank.

Everything else Ive had for some time. The Trichosalpinx chamaelepanthes is simply cuttings from a larger plant.

This is the plant list for now:

Lepanthes calodictyon (recovering after near loss) YAY!
Trisetella strumosa
Sigmatostalix unguiculata
Macroclinium aurorae
Drockrillia lichenastrum, small
Dryadella cristata
Zygostates alleniana
Trichosalpinx chamaelepanthes

Next up: Drockrillia torresae cuttings

Excited to have this planted finally and in awe over the perfection of these tiny tiny orchids.

Here are a few pictures:

Pictures used to load so much better!

Thanks for the update. Always enjoy seeing a fledgling idea transform into a full flight reality! Macroclinium aurorae is a very nice addition, and a really nice find! I especially like the overall form of this plant, along with the texture of its leaves and unique inflorescence. Post some pictures *in the future* if you get a chance.

These small enclosures (with their limited footprints) can definitely be a challenge to work with. Your set-up is well thought out, and you have a fantastic (and diverse) assortment of great plants!

Patty which is the speckled leaf plant in the ninth pic?

That looks really great! I hope you will have the lighting to your satisfaction soon. I am surprised you don't have a fern or two growing yet that shades everything...I keep pulling them out of my tank and I keep finding new ones (I just found what seems to be a new type!).

BJ, the speckled leaf plant in the 9th pic is my recovering Lepanthes calodictyon. It has 8 or 9 leaves now though very small, I consider it a successful recovery.

It used to be mounted, growing in a glass ball/orb. It was awesome and flowered constantly. I had a problem with fungus gnats from other tropical plants a year ago and the calodictyon mount was FULL of tiny maggots! I couldn’t figure out why the plant was failing as the gnats were not in the glass ball, apparently they were hatching and flying out onto other plants. I unmounted the plant and potted it into a tiny pot in live spaghnum.

There was one weak leaf left and almost no roots at all. I’ve been babying this one for months. They are beautiful plants with amazing flowers. One day I hope my plant will flower again.

Thanks Patty I lost mine, but it seemed to have rounder leaves. I let mine get to dry and it would not recover. I like all the Lepanthes they are very interesting orchids.

BJ, my plant had round leaves as well. These leaves are small and I’m in hopes it developes rounder leaves as it grows. We’ll see I suppose.

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Thanks Leafmite! At this point the lights seems to be filtered enough, nothing seems to be receiving too much but it’s still early.

No ferns yet!

The ferns are actually a pain. They take over a mount or pot very quickly. :(

Light wise when it comes to replacing the bulb(s) if it will fit I'd look at the Arcadia Jungle Dawn's - I keep a lot of reptiles/amphibians (chameleons, day geckos and dart frogs) - most tanks have jungle dawns on them and the plants just take off, they're the best thing I've found...