From aquarium to orchidarium

[Canadienne]

I’ll start by thanking kcpi3141 for putting a fantastic photographic layout of his Orchidarium built on this forum.
His step by step photos and explanations were the key for me to attempt a built too.

65 gallon aquarium 36”Lx 24”Hx18”W. no water feature
1” blue styrofoam, left over pieces.
Replacement screen for windows
Hot glue
Egg crate
Spray paint
Sheets of 3 mm Rockwool
Charcoal
Specific orchid mix bought at Ontario growers supply.
Cedar plywood hood with 3 sluts for air and
1x 12 cm AC infinity fan, 3 speed.
1x 3ft 6400 K LED grow light also from Ontario growers supply

Background 1” blue styrofoam with cutouts to the idea of Utahs Zion Parks mountains to create canyons, hollows, dips etc. used hot glue to put it all together.painted with brown spray paint before putting sheets in aquarium.
I glued on lots of horizontal pieces to act as benches to set plantsaand orchids, and created 5 deep3 sided pockets closed with a piece glued into the bottom and draining holes to put in orchids,as well as 2 pieces of cork to form pockets too.

These horizontal pieces each got a piece fit to size Rockwool mat glued on on which I will grow mosses due to its water holding capacity and it not breaking down.

Drainage layer: The false bottom was covered in the 3 mm Rockwool sheets in which I poked holes an 1 1/2” apart with a pencil for drainage. I covered it with replacement screen for windows, so as not to get dirt in it. I added a layer of horticultural charcoal around the edges where I want plants, layer of window screen then a layer of specific orchid mix. The centre was left free of this and mosses where directly put on top of Rockwool/window screen.

I gathered driftwood on the beach and split pieces were stuffed with Rockwool and wetted before adding moss.

All the mosses 12 different ones, were gathered outdoors. We’ll see what sipurvives.

False bottom of egg crate, 2 1/2” above bottom standing on 6 pieces of plastic pipe with 4 notches in each on the bottom so water can move freely. Attached to eggcate with plastic strap ties.

Reading many blogs, I decided to not put expensive orchids in it right away, but try with other plants and some cheaper orchids first to see what it is gonna do.

It is not full yet,a and you can see a few spaces where the Rockwool is still visible.

[My Green Pets]

looks great! i am planning to convert a large aquarium into a terrarium this fall, first time. thanks for outlining your process here!

[Canadienne]

Thank you,I loved making it, first time for me too.. I do not have a misting system, but as it is now I water at night with a spray bottle, have learned how much by placing a hygrometer near the top.. I let humidity run up to 85 percent or so, then it comes down to about 68 percent through the night and following day and repeat at night again.. I apologize for the poor quality of the photos.
Have fun building yours!

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