Ultimately, what is more important; humidity or airflow??

[ColoradoBirddog]

Here it is.

[Swimmingorchids]

wow I am surprised the plants can handle a 400w.

I managed to burn mine badly with a much lower powered led.

Anyway looks like problem has been sorted for you, fan intake on timer and circulating fan on 24/7.

I was personally curious about this myself as I am trying to build a fully automated grow box for some vandas. I am not using any fans at all and just relying on the difference in temperature for air exchange so we shall see - I am going for 80% humidity and sacrificing air flow. Could end in disaster - I know the consensus is to have more airflow but humidity could drop to 40% then. We shall see.

Out of curiosity though, your HPS is on a timer surely or do you have that on 24/7 too?

[Ray]

Originally Posted by Swimmingorchids

wow I am surprised the plants can handle a 400w.

I managed to burn mine badly with a much lower powered led.

It's a matter of wattage AND distance from the lamp.

[ColoradoBirddog]

Originally Posted by Swimmingorchids

wow I am surprised the plants can handle a 400w.

I managed to burn mine badly with a much lower powered led.

Anyway looks like problem has been sorted for you, fan intake on timer and circulating fan on 24/7.

I was personally curious about this myself as I am trying to build a fully automated grow box for some vandas. I am not using any fans at all and just relying on the difference in temperature for air exchange so we shall see - I am going for 80% humidity and sacrificing air flow. Could end in disaster - I know the consensus is to have more airflow but humidity could drop to 40% then. We shall see.

Out of curiosity though, your HPS is on a timer surely or do you have that on 24/7 too?

Like Ray said, it's a matter of distance as well. I did a bit of research to determine how much lux the various orchids needed, and placed light and orchids accordingly. Some of them might be on the higher side, but I tried to position carefully.

You will end in disaster if you don't have some sort of airflow, that I do know. Even a little PC fan will greatly help.

Yes, my light is on a timer. At the moment, 14 hours. In the next few weeks, I'll be stepping it down, following the sun.

[Swimmingorchids]

I know its a matter of distance vs watt.

I know he could be using a 1000 watt and place it further away, I would have thought a 250 would be overkill for a terrarium already so I am surprised.

I would personally not go for a 400 further away over a 250 but then maybe a 250 would be too hot too close

My setup does not include a light yet - 1 week test run completed - humidity does drop to under 60% when temps are highest.

I will be using a 10 watt IKEA grow light for 10 plants... and I have already tested it can burn my plants so is plenty strong enough at the right distance

I know I would not be spending 4 times what I spend keeping my bearded dragon alive on keeping my orchids happy.