SADE Tank Attack (orchid terrarium)

[hypostatic]

Hey, I'm coming in a bit late into the thread, but I'd like to give my 2 cents on the moss part.

While they are usually beautiful, abundant, and FREE, the moss that grows around our houses generally don't fare well when we try to grow them inside. Whatever the specific reason actually is, it is probably because those mosses need different lighting/humidity/airflow/watering than we typically provide in terrariums. They will typically stay alive for a few months, and then unexpectedly brown and die out.

I don't know what mosses there are in Mallorca, but I just wanted to prep you, in case they behave "normally"

A different option would be to go to a local greenhouse that has orchids, and ask if you can collect some of the moss growing in the containers for your terrarium. I feel like most places would be OK with this, especially if you are buying some orchids from there anyway.

[SADE2020]

Originally Posted by hypostatic

Hey, I'm coming in a bit late into the thread, but I'd like to give my 2 cents on the moss part.

While they are usually beautiful, abundant, and FREE, the moss that grows around our houses generally don't fare well when we try to grow them inside. Whatever the specific reason actually is, it is probably because those mosses need different lighting/humidity/airflow/watering than we typically provide in terrariums. They will typically stay alive for a few months, and then unexpectedly brown and die out.

I don't know what mosses there are in Mallorca, but I just wanted to prep you, in case they behave "normally"

A different option would be to go to a local greenhouse that has orchids, and ask if you can collect some of the moss growing in the containers for your terrarium. I feel like most places would be OK with this, especially if you are buying some orchids from there anyway.

Thank you for your 2 cts much appreciated

No orchid greenhouse in mallorca , I think is only one in Spain, I have to order everything from nursery in Germany and Belgium. Now with the Brexit not even UK is available anymore :-(

I have my doubt but after 1k hours of terrarium Master kraft (Korean/Japoneses) I gave it a try cuz it looks great and it seams to be a trend. If dry out I'll replace it with spaghnum moss if there is no other option..

One odd thing someone told me that keep moss alive is to use water mixed with sand/mod and spraying every x days, for the PH and alkaline needs.

[SADE2020]

I have not been updating this project, but I have been persistent and committed to it! It is currently planted with the mini species that you could see below.

The mechanism; light and humidity and temperature control has been working for almost 2 months, with an average humidity of 80-85%, automatic watering is 2 times a day 10 seconds and every 2 days 1 minute. Some very water-demanding plants I water and fertilize by hand. There is a 16V fan in the middle of the tank that blows air in. The upper part is semi-perforated, only the center where the light goes has glass.

I am not very handy so I have a great challenge to start it as it played. However I got great advices by other members; Thank you....and it has also served me as therapy in these strange moments that we are living.

See if I can make these creatures flourish and keep sharing "updates".

[Draikan]

What is the triangular piece of glass in the top left?

[SADE2020]

Originally Posted by Draikan

What is the triangular piece of glass in the top left?

Do you remember that I told you that I did not know how to control the summer heat?

It was designed to support a thermostatic cooler and just above I have left a slot for the motor and support the duct there. But I still have no idea how to do it.

[SADE2020]

Some flowers in the Tank... the pic are not great, can't get my 📸 camera to do the work right in this setup.

Some other buds in the way as well


This little cutie bloomed before getting in the tank, but now 3 more buds are developing, I can stop looking at it.

[Draikan]

@Sade can you show us the whole tank? I'm curious to see how everything is filling in.

[SADE2020]

Well an update even if is only for my records

The tank is looking great, with 90%H and about 18-20°C/60-65. Absolutely all orchids are growing 💗... Except one that almost

New leaf and coming soon blooms for both Phal Bracenea


Super roots for Phal Sense Mandy


Finally new growth on the little Phal Wilsonii


New growth for all this babies, including the Dracula












The sad 😢 news for the aeranguis rhodosticta (could not handle the transport and all changes I guess)



And finally a new 🌺 flower (3rd bloom in 2 month) from the Restropia that looks like a little 🦆 duck ...






I have some springtails but also some little flying something, there aren't mosquitos, smallest than one and I've seeing a white worm 🐛🦟. I suppose that the living creatures should be left alone as part of the ecosystem as long as they are not infecting anything, right?