Mini Cool Terrarium (ok, it's a start...) - Page 2 - Orchid Board

Paul Mc · #11 03-25-2011, 09:05 AM

Well, it's confirmed. The new structure still allows for a lot of the water to splatter out. I will have to make a structure by hand that is the appropriate height, allowing for fog to roll out and for watering, but one that does not have any other openings for water to escape.

In the meanwhile, I'm thinking I might add some moss to the bottom of the tank to help with getting rid of excess water.

Tindomul · #12 03-25-2011, 10:32 AM

What about a plastic tube? Splash won't go out but the fog will. With the aid of a fan the fog will move out of the tube and fill the tank. I use an open top plastic box. I make one side the bottom, and place the fogger there. It keeps the splash from going behind the fogger or to the sides or from going very high up. So all the Masdies behind the box avoid the splash. But I think a tube would be better.

plantaholic · #13 03-26-2011, 12:39 PM

Well, my wonderful setup isn't working the way I'd wanted. So, rethinking the entire thing....I'm wondering if putting something like a plastic grid material over the fogger water would keep the spitting down....Also, my timer isn't working so need to get a new one. Got tired of refilling the water also, so, filled the base of the entire tank with three inches of water (marbles are still there), turned a plastic container upside down with a small plastic cutting board on top of that and set my three little orchids and the temp/humidity gauge on it. Left the fan and the fogger off overnight and still have 85% humidity. The tank is partially open but no real air movement. I've found that the fan reduces the humidity down to the upper 40s - not good. Not sure what I'm going to do now but I think it's going to stay like this until Monday anyway.

Paul Mc · #14 03-26-2011, 01:04 PM

I had my tank filled with water as well, and got the fog cloud I was looking for plus the humidity and coolness. However, it left little room for more plants, lol...

In regards to the fogger splashing, I got a thin piece of slate to cover the top. I opted for a larger sized (but thinner) plastic container and cut two rectangle's out of two adjacent sides. The other two sides of the container are sitting against the side and back glass of the aquarium. So now, the water does not splash out (I think) and the mist escapes through the two rectangular "vents."

If water continues to splash out, I will experiment with aluminum foil and create sort of a "hood" for the vents to see if that will help with spillage.

I must say, there is more than enough room for other orchids now. If there is minimum water at the end of my tests this morning accumulating in the bottom, I will be going to PetSmart and getting some moss to place in there to help soak up the excess created by the steam. If there is a lot of water build-up, then I know I will need to create my hoods to avoid excess splash/spillage.

BTW, I've noticed that the ultrasonic fogger gets really hot after being on for about an hour or two! Once I get the fan in and everything regulated, I will be buying some plexi-glass pieces and sealer to create a permanent fog structure. I will probably move it to the center and make it thinner so I can have more plants, lol...

Paul Mc · #15 03-26-2011, 04:45 PM

Well, I went to PetSmart and bought the moss since it seems like the water is likely just from the fog. I don't believe water is splashing out anymore. I also ended up buying some driftwood looking pieces (actually grapevine) and decorated it a bit.

As I find a few more orchids to put in here, I will probably mount them on the wood pieces once I learn how to do that. In fact, I'd love to do that with the Trisetella in there now.

So here's the updated pictures! Once I'm sure of the fogger/splashing issue, I will be constructing the water basin. I plan on making it a bit smaller to make room for some more plants though.

Oh, and filling the water basin is as easy. Just lift the thin piece of slate on top and pour. I've got a line inside the container marking the optimum water level.

Paul Mc · #16 03-27-2011, 10:16 AM

So I went to Radio Shack to look for computer fans, but I'm so confused and so were they, lol...

Given the small size of the tank, I wasn't sure what size of fan to get and how strong the fan would be. They also did not have an adaptor to plug the fan into so I could plug it into a regular wall socket. I will be researching fans now I guess. Any ideas?

I'd love to see in pictures what you've done for a fogger, Tindomul! Could you share some with me?

I constructed a "hood" out of aluminum foil this morning. It covers the top of the water basin where the slate does not cover it, and the stretches out over the basin area, then I folded the interior edges down just in front of the holes for the fog to roll out of. It's working beautifully! Of course, once the water basin area is built I won't have to worry about the water splashing out of the two sides against the aquarium as it will be completely sealed up for holding the water. However, I have learned that I will need something in front of the fog holes (about 1/2 inch or so away from them) to prevent water from splashing out.

Now it's watch and wait again to see what else I can learn from the current construction and imagine what else I can do to maximize fog clouds while the fogger is turned on.

Paul Mc · #17 03-29-2011, 08:55 PM

Well, taking an earlier posters thought, I have opted for more room in the small tank that I have as opposed to keeping the fogger in there. The fogger is generating too much heat and taking too much room. You should read this as I've found more ultra-mini's I'd like to place in there, lol...

So, I will be purchasing an exterior fogger hopefully in the near future so I can have an expanded environment for a few more mini's. In the meanwhile, I will deal with what I have.

Also, my computer fan and adapter components should be coming in by the end of the week. I'm very excited to see what will happen temperature wise when I introduce air movement into it. I purchased the smallest ball bearing fan I could find since the tank is so small. While I want it to have air circulation, I don't want it to knock my ultra-mini's over, lol...

plantaholic · #18 03-30-2011, 02:03 AM

The fogger seems to work best when its on a timer that turns it off most of the time. My timer went belly up so am going to buy another. It allows for turning off and on multiple times during the day. That way, it doesn't get too hot. Mine came with a warning that said not to let it run more than 8 hours a day. It easily keeps the humidity up over 70% by just running it a couple of times a day.

Discus · #19 03-30-2011, 07:01 AM

Computer fans are 12V DC; your wall socket is 110V AC. You'd need a transformer to make it work. You could buy a small computer PSU for the 12V feed, otherwise, just strip the connector off the end of a regular 12V DC "wall wart" power supply and wire your fan(s) in; if it has several voltage options, you'll be able to slow the fan(s) down a bit by switching to a lower voltage.

Even easier would be to find 110V AC muffin fans, which you can wire straight into the mains. I'd probably do it through a GFCI for safety; water, non-waterproofed electronics and electricity are not the best of friends.

Paul Mc · #20 03-30-2011, 08:43 AM

Plantaholic, I manually turn the fogger on and off currently. I have found that I don't really need it on for more than two hours in the morning and evening to keep it good and humid. Since it runs so hot and quickly it seems, I feel uncomfortable turning it on and off while I'm not here by automated control. However, I do plan to get a timer for it soon so the fan and the mister will be automated.

Discus, I am very electronic challenged. It took me the better part of a day to figure out what I thought I might need. I still don't know if it will work due to the electrical thing you're talking about. I got a case fan (ball bearing, 3-pin, 50mm x 50mm x 12mm), a Mini 3-4 pin fan adapter and a 110v AC to 12v DC 4pin molex Power Adapter. I am assuming based upon your description that this will work.

Also, the wall plug I'm planning on using is not currently a GFCI. Would a power strip that has a reset button/surge control on it work the same? I've been trying to figure that out. I'm not sure that the power supply I'll be using would be adaptable for a GFCI. Again, technologically challenged here. I'm doing good to know how to turn on a computer and use it, lol...