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

[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.

[Ray]

There is no need to adjust light duration with the sun, as long as you're not growing day length-responsive plants like some cattleya species.

[ColoradoBirddog]

Here's an update on the terrarium.

I've been able to stabilize the humidity to around 60%, and a little higher at night. Temp stays around 80, when lot.

All of the orchids are looking good, with good active growth. My p. Equestris and p. Bellina have both started new spikes; the first I've done with these.

I did raise the light up a couple of inches, just because I think they're getting plenty of light. A couple of my young catts were slightly pale, so I lowered them inside the tank as well. My mystery seedling is almost to the top of the terrarium, and shading the phals nicely. I think it might be a sunflower.

[ColoradoBirddog]

2020 update. I wound up getting a fogger with 2 lines. I'm running 2 small fans, on one side, with the glass slightly open. I think I have a good balance between airflow and humidity. Everything is growing well, with lots of blooming.

One thing I did do, is balance the light with natural, direct daylight. The terrarium is in front of a western window. I have the timer turn off around 4, and sunlight till nightfall. I firmly believe this is what led to my catts blooming.