Terrarium failure needs help - Orchid Board

fluffylily · #1 05-31-2009, 10:18 AM

I have an exo terra (60 x 45 x 60 cm) that I have set up with prime agra on the bottom, screen, and some bark and moss on top of the screen. I have an Exo terra canopy with two fluorescent lights and two PC fans in the back running 24/7. I also have a misting system set for 8 seconds three times a day almost everyday. The top of the terrarium only has a mesh lid, so to prevent the moisture from leaving, I put some saran wrap over the part of the top that is still open.

I used to have a warm growing Masdevallia strobelii, Angraecum didieri, Sophronitis cernua, Christensonia vietnamenica, Bulbophyllum putidum, Haraella odorata , Nanodes schlechterianum, and an Aeranthes grandiflora. A lot of these were taken out or died from being too dry. The terrarium has a humidity of around 60-80% and temperature between 29 and 21C. The bottom is usually filled with at least 3 inches of water, which is all in the level on the prime agra. Now, as the water is evarporating, there is a level of crust or buildup on the bottom of the tank which is very ugly. I feel like maybe the tank humidity isn't high enough, but not sure. I even had some air plants, tillandsias, and some even died in there. I am a bit lost and feel like giving up with this thing!
Do you all also have to water your plants individually as well? I had to keep watering my plants in there even with the mister and the humidity and even some plants died when I got lazy and forgot to water. Can someone provide some advice? I think there might be some pics of it when it was initially started in my gallery or in my older posts.