Weird smell coming from new terrarium setup

[subtle_variegation]

Recently I got an 18 x 18 x 24" Exo Terra terrarium for my orchids. I've had it for about three weeks now. Right now the setup is pretty bare bones - two cheap grow lights, a USB fan sitting on the mesh, and a humidity + temp gauge. I only have 5 plants in there just sitting on the glass (this whole thing is a WIP)...

I water the plants outside of the terrarium but I've been misting a few times a day to try and boost humidity. Just now I was musting and noticed a foul smell, almost putrid, coming from inside the terrarium (barely noticed it when I closed the doors). The only thing that I changed today was adding plastic wrap over the mesh to keep in humidity.

It's possible that it's been like that for a few days and I just hadn't been close enough to notice, but I'm not sure.

When I first got the tank I scrubbed it with vinegar and rinsed it with a hose.

What should I do?

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[Ray]

You’ll have to describe the “foul smell” a bit better.

It’s probably bacterial or fungal, growing in the potting media in that humid environment, or it could be related to a product you used.

[subtle_variegation]

Interestingly the smell was actually gone when I checked just now. If I had to describe it though it smelled like something rotting, almost putrid. But it wasn't that strong. Bad, but not overpowering.

However, there is a new development. There seems to be some mold forming in what looks like dried-up water that pooled at the bottom.

There's also this splotch on the side of the tank that has a bug in it. I don't know if it's mold but I don't think it was there before.

[Ray]

Molds and bacteria are ubiquitous. You cannot eliminate them, nor do you necessarily want to.

The plants and substrate are loaded with them, and some will populate little puddles - they’re great incubators. That’s why folks recommend watering early in the day, so they’ll be dry by nightfall.

Don’t worry about it.