99% DIY Orchidarium Project

[kcpi3141]

Originally Posted by estación seca

Peltier coolers don't work well enough to be useful. Each exchanges only a small amount of heat.

I totally understand how inefficient it is at heat exchange, but I think it can still be useful under certain conditions, i.e. if we make up for the inefficiency with proper insulation. I saw a build where someone used two 50W Peltier-Heatsink modules to cool a 10 gallon aquarium to 54-56 at night with an ambient temp at room temp, albeit running throughout the night. Now, even though I want more space (like 20, 30 gallons), what if I build a plywood enclosure in a chest freezer style, insulate the sides with foam (which I will have for decor anyways), and double-pane the front viewing panel? I think there can be some potential with this configuration, especially if I am just content with it keeping temps down to 60 or so.

Peltiers are just too attractive in their simplicity and lack of refrigerant lol. Let me know what you think!

[kcpi3141]

2 Month update:

Things in the terrarium portion are just continuing to grow in. I also got an intervalometer to do time lapses, so I will post a short clip of my Paphinia neudeckeri opening up once I process the images.

As for the aquatic portion, I got some bucephalandras, anubias, bolbitis, and a dwarf water lily to fill the area. Also got 6 pygmy corys and 8 red rili shrimp to give it some life! They do a great job cleaning the tank as well.

Now for some pics! I've been experimenting with shooting in raw and learning how to post-process lately, so here are the results of what I have managed to do so far:

Paphiopedilum barbigerum




Lepanthopsis astrophora




Bucephalandra sp.




Unknown Lichen and Tillandsia from FL




Dendrobium Hibiki

[estación seca]

Nice! I didn't see your question earlier about two x 50W Peltier coolers for a 10 gallon tank. I don't believe that story unless all the rest of the glass was insulated. They don't work that well / aren't that efficient.

[kcpi3141]

Originally Posted by estación seca

Nice! I didn't see your question earlier about two x 50W Peltier coolers for a 10 gallon tank. I don't believe that story unless all the rest of the glass was insulated. They don't work that well / aren't that efficient.

Here is the thread I found that dealt with this.

How to build a Peltier cooler - FlyTrapCare Forums

Here is also the promised timelapse!

Paphinia neudeckeri Timelapse - YouTube

I am confident in saying that this flower is my new absolute favorite. It just sparkles in the light when viewed from below with the most brilliant and stunning of wine red (will post some pics in the future). She's like a little diva, and there is a new spike forming as well!

[kcpi3141]

It's been a while but here are some updates. Moss has grown in much more than before and the aquatic portion is maturing well. The Dendrobium kingianum and a little cutting of Dendrobium aphyllum I got were moved to a small aquarium I filled with water to keep it humid but colder. I also finally bought the spray paint to color the dripwall pipes black but will still have to wait till the weather gets warmer to go outside and do it. Please bear with it for a little while longer.

Another piece of news is that for spring break I am planning a brief visit to Ecuador so will post some pics of orchids in situ later in the year!







Phalaenopsis Jiaho's Pink Girl



Macroclinium dalstromii



Masdevallia Red Panda

[kcpi3141]

My first blooming Paph! P. delenatii (delenatii x delenatii v. dunkel)

[Toadwally]

Oh, wow!

[kcpi3141]

Been a while BUT--------Crabs are coming next week

I also reattached the overhead watering back to the left side of the tank last month in April. I would say that my goal of having plants that require a dry season on the left of the tank has worked out really nicely, especially because the right side of the tank that is consistently watered adds to the humidity of the enclosure and gives an occasional splash of water to the left side. The warmer weather is definitely signaling the growing season and all the plants that were dormant are now shooting up new growths very fast.

Trying to replicate the climate as precisely as possible has been a really challenging but fun thing to do! Some plants did look somewhat stressed at some points due to the reduced watering, so there were something things I still need to adjust. However, once watering came back, they all quickly recovered and have triggered spiking in many, such as my Cattleya hybrid, Schoenorchis fragrans, and Ascocentrum ampullaceum. Photos to come shortly!

[kcpi3141]

Some more updates and pics:






Potinara Burana Beauty 'Burana'




Ludisia discolor




Porpax grandiflora




Ascocentrum ampullaceum






Pleurothallis diabolica

[DirtyCoconuts]

amazing!