Looking for thoughts/advice on potential terrarium tank - Orchid Board

lund0682 · #1 02-22-2011, 06:35 AM

I've been reading the other threads (and drooling over the pictures of all the great set ups!), and I've decided I'm definitely going to try putting together a terrarium of my own. My first need, of course, is some sort of tank - so I cruised over to my local Craigslist postings and I found this interesting item for sale. I really like the looks of it, but I haven't seen anything quite like it on any of the posts here and I'm wondering what people think of it.

Dimensions are 30L x 24H x 12D, and it looks like it has doors that open on both sides (I haven't actually seen it in person, just looking at photos so far). Asking price is $50. I like it just because it's different from other tanks I've seen.

So - has anyone seen (or have experience with) a tank like this? How about any comments or suggestions. I suppose as long as the plants can be kept happy, the rest of the details don't matter, but does anyone see any obvious problems with this? One thing that occurs to me is that it might be hard to get in with a spray bottle, but maybe not?

I'd like to have pretty moist environment. Temps will be between 65-85 and lower light levels. I'm thinking lots of moss and shade-loving guys. Thanks for your thoughts!

dendrophyle · #2 02-22-2011, 06:56 AM

looks a bit tall for ground dwellers, you could consider this when choosing the species, to show them off on the rear wall?

Paul · #3 02-22-2011, 10:17 AM

Daaaang! Why aren't any CraigsList folks offering up tanks like that here in my area?! Sweet tank! (Very good price too!) I'd love to have that for 'critters'.

As long as you don't block either door, it might not be a horrible issue for misting/spraying/watering.

You will need supplemental lighting.

Height distance could be an issue as was mentioned depending on what plants you choose for the floor and the intensity of your light source. That said, there should be plants that will work out fine. Also, with a tank that tall, you would have many options for creating various levels (even on the 'ground floor'). Some excellant possibilities!

Jeff9 · #4 02-22-2011, 12:04 PM

If i were you i would invest in a mistking system with some nozzles to do the misting, works like a charm.

And also, shady plants and moss? Moss needs alot of light to grow. So you will want to have some powerful lights.

If i were you i would get 80W dulux lamps which output alot of light that is suitable for tall tanks like yours.

You will be able to grow all sorts of species by adjusting the distance of your plants from the light.

And a drain at the bottom might be useful, but not nessecary. After a while alot of water will start to accumulate at the bottom.

And depending on your airflow, you might need some fans to prevent rot or fungus. My tank has 100cm x 5cm opening at the bottom, and 2x 100cm x 10cm at the top. Which provides enough airflow and ventilation.

In addition to that i have a fan that comes on for 2 hours after the last watering cycle.

camille1585 · #5 02-22-2011, 01:41 PM

Jeff, do you have a pic of your tank to post? I'm curious to see it, especially how you installed everything (lights, misting system, fans..) I'm also in the process of thinking about what I need to make my terrarium (well, have rainforest-frogs build it for me), hopefully by this summer.

Jeff9 · #6 02-22-2011, 02:32 PM

Theres some here, i might post a better one tomorrow.

IMG_0455 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

IMG_0453 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

If i would build it now i would have done it much more diffrent.

I would have made it deeper, it is 50cm deep i wouldve made it 60/70cm deep.

My lights arent powerful enough, i wouldve taken 4x 80W dulux lights. atleast.

I might have made it less high, depends. Most of my plants need alot of light so hanging them low is not really useful.

Jeff9 · #7 02-22-2011, 02:34 PM

By the way, if you are going to have it built.

You might want to save alot of money, just let them build the tank, install the lights yourself and the pump.

Dartfrog carries some good lights at a decent price.
Lighting Price List

I got the mistking system from vivariumland, i think the nozzles are RIDICULOUSLY expensive. 15E, maybe you can find out through marty if you can fit cheaper nozzles to them.
But you might want the pump, it can run dry and you will get a good warranty.

Vivarium Land - for all your naturalistic terrarium needs

camille1585 · #8 02-22-2011, 03:04 PM

Thanks! Especially for the link for the lights, they sell them MUCH cheaper than at rainforest-frogs.
And I was also thinking of going for a mistking system, but it's going to get real expensive real quick. I may plan the holes for it, but buy it at a later date to spread out the expenses.

Your tank is 50cm deep, but how long and high is it? And what lights do you currently have? (so I don't make the same underestimations about lighting).

lund0682 - I'm sorry for hijacking your thread, but hopefully it's interesting for you.

Jeff9 · #9 02-22-2011, 06:54 PM

my tank is 100cm x 50cm x 80 cm.

my lights are 3x 39watt.

you also need to consider on the link i gave you, the conversion from pound to euros, and the shipping cost.

The shipping might be expensive, find out first.

lund0682 · #10 02-22-2011, 09:47 PM

Camille1585 - No problem about hijacking the thread! This is exactly the kind of info I was hoping for! I'm a complete beginner at this and so any information is helpful.

For example, Jeff9 mentioned that most moss needs a lot of light - this is the exact opposite of what I thought! And I think that going vertical with this tank is a good suggestion. Is that the difference between a Wardian Case and a Terrarium? or is there some other ambiguous distinction.

Another good comment was to include a drain at the bottom of the tank. That's something I was wondering about as a lot of the pictures I've seen on the Orchid Board don't seem to have any easy means for drainage. What are the merits/drawbacks of working with or without a drain spigot on the tank?

Are there any other reasons why I shouldn't buy this tank? So far I haven't heard any definite votes against this item. And it sounds like as long as I'm attentive, then I should be okay with this (and I may end up with a pretty cool set up). But am I just being a naive neophyte? Does anyone think I would be better off getting a simple 10-gallon aquarium for my first terrarium attempt?