Chilly orchidarium? - Orchid Board

calvin_orchidL · #1 04-29-2008, 01:35 PM

I set up a fan/mister system for the first time the other day, and realized that air movement + moisture leads to chilly temperatures. My fan was going to fast (I need to get an adjustable adaptor instead of wiring 2 fans in series to one 12V adaptor) but I'm wondering whether anyone else has had similar problems, and what you did about it?

Tindomul · #2 04-29-2008, 02:03 PM

Thats not a problem. Get yourself some cold loving species.

All kidding aside, How chilly are we talking, and how long did the temps stay that way?

Ranchnanny · #3 04-29-2008, 04:30 PM

Hi Calvin,
I have an orchidarium and have no trouble with it being chilly. It does drop temp at night but during the day its in the 80's. Do you have lights on in the Orchidarium? I have three 39Watt Biaxial 1 warm and 2 cool. They keep the orchidarium quite toasty.

My fan runs 24 7 and at only one speed.

Sheridan

Ross · #4 04-29-2008, 06:37 PM

Calvin, chilly is a blessing in disguise. Take Tindo's advice and try Draculas and other cool growing orchids. Mine runs high 70s day near top under the t5 lights and low 70s down near bottom where the Drac is. I think stronger lights, particularly long t5 fixture will cure the cool problem - in fact you'll be glad you can cool the tank. What is "cool" by the way? How cool?

calvin_orchidL · #5 04-30-2008, 09:46 AM

Thanks for the suggestions!! I have to hook up the fan again later today to test out the temps...but right now, it's around 70 degrees in there. It's only 10 gallon tank so there's no room for a T5 fixture over it (that's for my large tank which I am finally starting to setup)...right now there are 2 CFLs (a 125 watt which I need to replace because it's a rip-off bulb that puts out 1/4 of the light it should, and a 40 watter)

I think the problem will be less in the summer when my room gets warmer - I am considering converting it to a cool growing tank actually once I get my large warmer tank established, so I suppose the chilliness will be a good thing then! Thanks again - you're all fantastic!

calvin_orchidL · #6 06-11-2008, 01:07 AM

So never mind...all my previous concerns are now down the drain, because a) my T5s are heating up the tank nicely, and b) it's actually summer here now, and my room is HOT.

Tindomul · #7 06-11-2008, 02:31 PM

lol, we told you so. So how hot is it getting? Lets hope, not too hot.

Ross · #8 06-11-2008, 02:41 PM

I would predict high 70s (F) to low 80s (F) when the room heats up. Try adding a cheap small desk fan blowing between the lights and the tank top like this

I run one fan 24/7 and a second one comes on with the lights. I run one fan (12-volt) inside tank 24/7 and a second (through-wall) comes on for 3 hours around midnight to clear the tank of excess humidity and air exchange.

calvin_orchidL · #9 06-17-2008, 12:24 PM

Ross - thanks for the advice...I got a small clamp fan which I am now blowing in between the lights and the tank...will take some pics soon!!

Tindo - on hot days (I have no airconditioner in my room) it goes up to 80...but I recently got a cool-mist humidifier that I may get going to cool things off. PS - how is your tank goign? I loved reading your construction log on the vivarium forum

I still need to wire up my muffin fans and mount them inside the tank, as well as install the egg crate bottom...still debating whether or not to line the bottom of the tank with a layer of hydroton pellets to keep humidity up, but I'm worried about fungus and gross stuff growing in the perpetually moist hydroton. Nonetheless, humidity is a problem...I'm finding that if I have the fan on (the clamp one only at the moment, which kind of blows under the lights and also into the tank...my tank has no cover), things dry out real quick...I'm still looking for a piece of scrap glass large enough to fit over the tank. My poor mounties suffer even if I forget to water for one day..:S

I saw someone on another forum actually fill the bottom of their tank with water, and use an aquarium pump to keep it clean...he's from alberta where it's really dry and even though his tank is an open top, he gets 70-80% humidity which is great.

Right now, my biggest obstacles are
a) moving the stupid lights to water the plants...having a orchidarium with above only access is a royal pain...but maybe if one day I get an automatic misting system and won't have to lift the lights off every 2 days, it will be less stressful

b) Timers! Each timer hogs up a huge amount of space on the power strip...the area next to the tank is like a wire forest, and I'm sure it's an electrical hazard..but I need my lights on timers, as well as a the fans, and then I want to rig up a mister to the a seperate cycling on/off timer as well. What to do!