Jayfar's new Phalaerium 36x18x36 - Orchid Board

Jayfar · #1 10-04-2011, 07:23 AM

This is the bare-bones first stage of my terrarium setup. I'm somewhat conflicted at this point on what trade-offs I want to make between putting in a naturalistic landscape and having a utilitarian environment that will allow the most space for plants, mostly warm Phal species and primary hybrids, including some mounts. I needed to get this up and running before the low humidity cold weather months, as I learned last winter that, in my household micro-climate, Phal species tended to grow in reverse.

The current setup:

Exo Terra 36x18x36 tall*

Exo Terra cabinet

2 Exo Terra light hoods with a total of 8 ALZO 27W Daylight Balanced 5500K bulbs

Hydrofarm FLC0125D Fluorescent Grow Light w/ 125W Daylight 6400K bulb

MistKing system w/ 3 nozzles (currently set to mist for 12 secs at 8am, noon and 6pm)

Cooler Master 120mm Case Fan (powered by CG 110v AC to 12v DC 4pin molex Power Adapter; I also have a Y adapter connected to the power converter to allow me to deploy a second fan as needed)

All lights are on a timer for 14 hours currently. I've angled the Hydrofarm light a little closer since I took these photos. The Exo Terra hoods manufacturer's recommendation is for 26W bulbs max; I've read elsewhere that people have used higher wattages without problems, but I would need to find a small enough diameter to fit the hoods (the 27W bulbs in there now are 2-1/2" diameter; Alzo 45W bulbs are 3" and might not fit) and probably put a fan on top of the hoods.

The egg crate floor is supported over a couple inches of water by a bunch of PVC pipe connectors.

The humidity tends to stay between 70-90% even without the misting system. Temps run about 6 to 8F above ambient room temperature due to heat from the light hoods.

*It took four attempts ordering the terrarium before Amazon was finally able to deliver one in unshattered condition, primarily due to the manufacturer's very flimsy packaging. In fact Amazon subsequently removed the product from their website for several weeks due to the issue. The upside is that my net cost was radically reduced due to various credits Amazon gave me as the result of my ordeal. Another good thing is that Amazon uses a shipper that delivers to my door, on a 3rd floor with no elevator (shipping weight ~98lbs). EDIT: Hmm, I see Amazon has upped the price to $409.97 (2 pennies under list price); it previously was 332.83. After various credits my cost was <$183. Of course I paid several times that amount for various accessories as listed above.

terr20111001 by Jayfar, on Flickr

terrcloseup20111001 by Jayfar, on Flickr

Wjs2nd · #2 10-04-2011, 11:35 PM

Very cool! Your orchids look incredible!

camille1585 · #3 10-05-2011, 04:05 AM

Looks great! You have a nice collection of blooming phals.

What the mottled leaf one in front? Phal celebensis? I see that you have plenty of space to hang mounts on the back wall!

I think you were very lucky to even find a place that would deliver the tank. Over here everthing is pickup only, precisely because of the issues you mention. You would think with it being made of glass they would pack it a bit better...

Jayfar · #4 10-05-2011, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camille1585

Looks great! You have a nice collection of blooming phals.

I have a much bigger collection of growing leaves.

Quote:

What the mottled leaf one in front? Phal celebensis? I see that you have plenty of space to hang mounts on the back wall!

That's a Phal. Schilleriana 'Pink Butterfly' and I have another slightly larger one of those I've since moved into the tank. In bloom at the moment are (from left): Phal Coerulea; a Hieroglyphica (the bloom you see has since wilted as the bud on the same spike has opened; it also has a short spike in bud); Dtps. Little Blue Bird 'Montclair'; Phal Corona; and Phal Violacea alba 'Norman' that had been listed previously as Bellina (a post on the orchids.com facebook wall notes the change).

I'll have to post a list of the others later.

Quote:

I think you were very lucky to even find a place that would deliver the tank. Over here everthing is pickup only, precisely because of the issues you mention. You would think with it being made of glass they would pack it a bit better...

Agreed. I did contact the manufacturer via email and their FB page and they say they will be adding padding in the future. This thing came in a corrugated cardboard box with no styro at all, except for a thin piece covering the screentop. I'm sure the losses they've been eating on returns has made them painfully aware by now.

The build quality of the doors also leaves something to be desired. The hinges basically consist of small plastic pins molded into the door frame. They are also of a thinner glass than the rest of the terrarium. Also the screen top helps provide strength to the front top portion of the frame. I had the top off working on it and accidentally nudged a corner with my shoulder; this caused a door to fall off, which I luckily caught before it hit the floor.

salamandra · #5 10-05-2011, 07:43 AM

Oh! orchirarium is asking that you put phalenosis mounted. Your phalenosis are lovely, and beautiful blooms.

Very good job.

Regards.