Terrarium advice needed!

[greenbean]

Hi everybody!

I've tried growing in a terrarium (without orchids) twice with the same result: fuzzy mold and big yellow mushrooms! ) The plants did fine, but I couldn't stand those fluorescent yellow mushrooms! The tank I have is 20 inches long by 10 inches deep by 12 inches tall, has a fluorescent tube that delivers, if I remember correctly, about 2000 fc near the top of the tank. I've never measured the humidity, but I had occasional problems with too much condensation on the sides, so it's high.

I would like to try a third time, but this time without planting anything directly in the terrarium. This time I want to put gravel in the bottom with potted and/or mounted orchids and possibly put moss or something around the pots to disguise them.

Given the size of the tank, minis are a must and I'd like to include jewel orchids too. So my questions are:

1) Is this tank even big enough to suitably grow a few minis, or should I look for a bigger tank, and if I need a bigger tank, where can I get one for reeeaaallllly cheap?

2) Are there any orchids I can grow in the terrarium that wouldn't require a fan, or would I have to try to find a fan for it?

3) I think the mushrooms came from not sterilizing the soil, and there won't be any soil this time, but what should I do to help avoid disease?

4) Does anyone have any advice on things I've overlooked or helpful suggestions?

Thanks for your help!

[Royal]

1) If they fit in the tank, it's big enough. The problem is where to put your next purchases.

2) As for the fan, YES, you need one. Small tank means a small fan may work, but you've got to move that air around.

3) You solved this with #2.

4) Get a min/max thermometer and hygrometer. The key is to find the balance between maintaining humidity, but allowing the pots to dry between watering. You can adjust the size of the "vent" to find that happy medium. But you are just shooting in the dark without a measurement.

[cb977]

I use this type of fan:

Cooling Fan Kit - 4.75": Black Jungle Terrarium Supply

It's nice because it has a switch for easy control.

They have it in a smaller size on the site too

[Ross]

I posted an article describing all the things I went through http://www.orchidboard.com/Setting-u...om-Orchidarium And many of your questions are answered. Fand are good. Not, necessarily more is better, but a small one is good.

[Tindomul]

I use the same fan kit. The fans last a good long time (I've been using one for three years and two for two). I put them on a timer and let them turn on at night. Actually the older one is not on a timer and runs 24/7 365 days a year. Im afraid if I turn it off it will stop working, lol.
The dimensions seem fine, but it doesnt give you much height. I usually take these types of tanks and stand them on their end so it become 20 inches tall and 12 deep and 10 wide.
Ok, my position on mushrooms, they are the coolest things out there. I wish I had yellow floruescent shrooms growing in my tanks,
But yea, a fan is probably why I don't get that many.
My tanks have about 3 inches of Hydroton, then a fine netting on top covered by orchid potting mix. The Net is so that the potting mix and the hydroton dont mix. Then I fill with about 2 inches of water so that you have 1 inch of "dry" Hydroton between the soil and the water. I planted my Ludisia and Macodes in this type of setup. The Ludisias are taller than 12 inches. Macodes stay small but I have one that is about 7 inches tall.

[DelawareJim]

Originally Posted by Tindomul

I use the same fan kit. The fans last a good long time (I've been using one for three years and two for two). I put them on a timer and let them turn on at night. Actually the older one is not on a timer and runs 24/7 365 days a year. Im afraid if I turn it off it will stop working, lol.

As Tindomul said, the fans last a long time. I had one running 12 hours, 7 days a week to cool the metal halide bulbs on my freshwater planted aquarium. Finally had to replace it after 12 years running.

Many places carry them although Becca's link looked the cheapest.
Coralife-3.125" COOLING FAN KIT - 6353070
AdvancedSearchResult - Aquarium Supplies, Pet Supplies and Pond Supplies by That Fish Place - That Pet Place

Cheers.
Jim

[greenbean]

Thanks for the advice everybody. Tindomul, I thought the tank was too short as well, but it was a present from my parents, who said the taller ones were too expensive. Maybe I'll sneakily exhange it when they're not looking. But I'm a poor college student, so I should probably work with what I have.

Your idea to turn it on it's side is interesting though. I'm not sure it would work with this one though. I'll have to post some pics when I get home from college, so you can tell me what you think.

As for the mushrooms I like mushrooms too, out in the woods around my house. They didn't quite fit the color scheme I wanted...oh, and they were so agressive that they would have smothered most of the plants!

[greenbean]

Ross, I just looked at your post about how you set up your orchidarium. It looks great. I can definitely see myself doing something like that once I have my own house...and a steady job and mumblemumblemumble. Woe to the college student obsessed with all things photosynthetic!

And I saw how you set up the vertical tank, Tindomul. That looks really cool! How much did that cost? I wonder if I could convince my parents to pay for it...

Thanks again!

[PacMan]

Originally Posted by greenbean

And I saw how you set up the vertical tank, Tindomul. That looks really cool! How much did that cost? I wonder if I could convince my parents to pay for it...

Thanks again!

ahah, thats awesome. I wish my parents would do something like that..christmas is coming tho...

[Becca]

I use the same fans but I purchase them from the following link Coralife Aqualight Cooling Fans Kits. They are a tad bit cheaper.