Looking for advice on orchidarium for Paphs and Phrags

[orion141]

Originally Posted by WaterWitchin

LECA will work well. So will egg crate with a void below. What I like about egg crate is being able to stick a hand pump suction in to suck up excess water if ever needed. But you could also have same effect with a little barrier from LECA in one corner.

Agreed! I use a 1” piece of black pvc in the front corner of my tank with LECA as a siphon point.

[varda.elentari]

I saw some people put a short length of pipe in the corner to access the water at the bottom so I'll do that.

What size of mesh would work well between the LECA and substrate? Is finer or bigger better?

[varda.elentari]

Originally Posted by orion141

Agreed! I use a 1” piece of black pvc in the front corner of my tank with LECA as a siphon point.

Oops, didn't see your post orion.

[orion141]

Originally Posted by varda.elentari

I saw some people put a short length of pipe in the corner to access the water at the bottom so I'll do that.

What size of mesh would work well between the LECA and substrate? Is finer or bigger better?

I use a fine mesh (neherp sells it on their website) to prevent small pieces of substrate from making their way into the LECA.

[varda.elentari]

Oh great! I happen to have some fine mesh already. If it's very fine, it won't interfere the substrate's ability to absorb water from the LECA right?

[orion141]

Originally Posted by varda.elentari

Oh great! I happen to have some fine mesh already. If it's very fine, it won't interfere the substrate's ability to absorb water from the LECA right?

I wouldn’t think it would prevent water absorption. And I’m assuming most of the water in the substrate will be obtained from misting and watering as well?

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[varda.elentari]

That's the plan. But if I'm going to incorporate a water reservoir I'd like the substrate to be able to wick water from it if I forget to water or if I go away for a couple of weeks and have to get someone to look after the terrarium. It's safer to ask them to underwater rather than risk overwatering.

[WaterWitchin]

Originally Posted by varda.elentari

That's the plan. But if I'm going to incorporate a water reservoir I'd like the substrate to be able to wick water from it if I forget to water or if I go away for a couple of weeks and have to get someone to look after the terrarium. It's safer to ask them to underwater rather than risk overwatering.

Yup. And then they under-water, and life is good. First, you have to put it into practice, then you start tweaking it until it suits your particular culture.

[varda.elentari]

Thanks WaterWitchin. I tend to overanalyze and try to plan everything to perfection right from the beginning so that's a useful reminder for me to be prepared to be flexible.

My next question is about fans. I've seen a lot of people mention computer fans but can those really withstand the high humidity of a terrarium?

[varda.elentari]

Bump