Stagnant orchidarium

[blackorchid]

I'm planning on growing orchid in a orchidarium. Most of them will be mounted. However, I don't want to install a fan because the location where I wanted my vivarium to be makes it difficult to. Therefore, I just want to ask if there's a way to get around the fan issue. I'm ok with having a lower humidity and growing them mounted so it will dry out fast. Will phalaenopsis do fine in such condition (stagnant air).

[calvin_orchidL]

Originally Posted by blackorchid

I'm planning on growing orchid in a orchidarium. Most of them will be mounted. However, I don't want to install a fan because the location where I wanted my vivarium to be makes it difficult to. Therefore, I just want to ask if there's a way to get around the fan issue. I'm ok with having a lower humidity and growing them mounted so it will dry out fast. Will phalaenopsis do fine in such condition (stagnant air).

IMO most stuff won't really like stagnant conditions - even in the steamiest jungle, you'll get the occasional breeze flowing through. Just imagine all those nice mold and fungal spores landing on the leaves of your plants and taking root without a gentle breeze to blow them off

Have you considered installing small computer fans? They are small, easy to wire, and can give a degree of air exchange.

[cb977]

Most chids like or even need brisk air movement. I would put at least a small fan in or above the tank to move the air around.

[Magnus A]

Why can you not use fans? No electricity? But how about light? Is it the sound? If you run a 12V computer fan on 7 or even 5 V it is extremely quit! It will run on lower RPM and will be less effective in moving air but it will help a lot.

Do not buy a small fan! They are usually more noisy and does not work well on low voltage (move to little air), use a 3 or 4 inch!

One other "bad" option is to create a draft through the cabinet. have ventilation on the top AND in the lower front, see The Orchid Source Forum: Constructing a Orchidarium - Step by Step (warning: multiple Illustrations). The hot air created by illumination will raise and new DRY and cooler air will come in through the front. IF you manage to balance everything it will work when the light is on but you will get stagnant condition during night!
You may get BIG humidity problems this way......