How to turn 3gal tank into terrarium?

[Izzie]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

Izzie, maybe you can get a larger tank.

A 10 or 15 gal tank will really not take up much more space than a 3 gal tank you propose.

An even better idea is to use a 20 or 30 gal tall used for reptiles and amphibians (more like amphibians than reptiles).

Or even an Exo-Terra brand of tank:

Amazon.com: Exo Terra Glass Terrarium 12in. x12in. x12in. - Exo Terra PT2600: Kitchen & Dining

As lovely as that would be, I only have a 1000sqft townhouse with most of it's counter space occupied. No money for a stand or a larger tank. But I could afford the one or two 'chids that might fit in the 3 gal. Make sense?

[Izzie]

What I know nothing about is what to put IN the tank. What kind of substrate, what water level, etc.

All I know is that I should mount the orchids on some cork/wood.
And maybe get some live moss?

But heck, is there like 1", 4" of substrate? water past the substrate, or just below? o.O;;;

[Izzie]

I have access to CHC, volcanic rock, gravel, charcoal, nifty things called "grow stones" that are similar to LECA, only they're made out of recycled beer bottles and wick better than PrimeAgra- totally excited to try them someday.


And I totally think the P. Amabilis that I got yesterday, has some live sphag in it. Which will die when I fertilize.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Substrate depends on what you're growing terrestrially.

Miniature terrestrial orchids are available, but they're rare.

Perhaps something like Macodes, Anoetochilus, or Cheirostylis would work for a miniature terrestrial orchid. Be careful and research these though! Some of them go deciduous and dormant.

As for epiphytes you must grow micro miniatures.

Micro-mini to small Pleurothallis include:

1. Plths alata
2. Plths barbata
3. Plths baudoensis
4. Plths breviscapa
5. Plths corniculata
6. Plths grobyi
7. Plths leptotifolia
8. Plths nipterophylla
9. Plths ornata
10. Plths rubella
11. Plths serracenia
12. Plths setigera
13. Plths sigmoidea
14. Plths tribuloides

There are much, much more than this, take your pick from these.

Micro-mini Scaphosepalums are:

1. Scaph ovulare
2. Scaph rapax

Micro-mini Trichosalpinx:

1. Trichosalpinx arbuscula (vining)
2. Trichosalpinx chamaelepanthes (vining)

Micro-mini Dryadella:

1. Dryadella aurea
2. Dryadella cristata

There are more, I just don't know them very well.

Most Platystele spp. are micro miniatures. Here are a couple:

1. Platystele stenostachya
2. Platystele umbellata

Micro-mini Phalaenopsis:

1. Phal appendiculata

Micro-mini Lepanthes:

1. Lepanthes telipogoniflora
2. Lepanthes tsubotae

There are others, but there are simply too many.

Trisetella spp. are almost all micro-minis.

The list can continue...

But I think I've given you plenty of species to start with.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

As for lighting you're not limited to that crappy stock fluorescent light fixture that comes with the tank.

There are mini power compact fixtures you can get to power up the lighting in the tank. 12" fixtures are available.

Aquarists amend their tanks all the time.

This was the least expensive one I could find:

MINI F/W AQUALIGHT 9W POWER COMPACT STRIP - CheapPetProducts.Net

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Now that I've given you tons of stuff to look up.

I think we should back up and try to figure out what kind of set up you want.

Do you want a cloud forest set up?

Do you want a wet forest?

Do you want a dry forest?

Do you want a swamp forest?

Which is it?

Or...

This might make it easier...

Pick your most favorite micro-mini and let's go from there.

[Izzie]

I want..... low maintenance. Nothing special. Honestly, not looking to get any obscure species that I'd have to pay through the nose for and end up killing.
As I said, if it's possible to make this into a terrarium with the light being the only real hardware, that's what I'd try.

[DelawareJim]

Izzie;

If you want to boost your lighting, try a compact fluorescent like King suggests. Another source is Catalina Aquarium Lighting. We use them all the time in my aquarium club; great people to work with. If they don't have it stock they can customize fairly easily. I use their 12 inch 13 watt, 2 bulb fixture for a lot of small tanks.

Cheers.
Jim

[Izzie]

Thanks for the link Jim, I'll check them out.

[Izzie]

Philip- I could get a den. oligophyllum and/or neostylis Lou Sneary from a grower near me. Those workable?