Took The Exo Terra Plunge Too!

[gmdiaz]

Hi Rob,

Thanks so much for your thoughts!

I lucked out and started using RO water, not because I knew it was great for plants but because I was told it wouldn't leave mineral deposits on my pot rims & on the glass of my new tank. At home, we have well water with quite high mineral content. . .so that was a no go.

So I think my RO water quality is really good but I may be overfertilizing it & the light may have been too bright there at first.

I rinsed it throughly with the RO water to remove any extra fertilizer and have tucked it down in the lowest light area. I am now using only pure water. . .I sure hope to see some improvement!

[cb977]

I have a question on the fans for these things:

If I get a light canopy to power a fan in the terrarium, does the light have to be on for the fan to work?

[Tindomul]

Originally Posted by cb977

I have a question on the fans for these things:

If I get a light canopy to power a fan in the terrarium, does the light have to be on for the fan to work?

Sue, let me get this straight. Do you have a separate fan for the inside of your terrarium? If not, you will need it for your orchids health. A fan that works with light setups is usually there only to cool down the lights themselves or to push the heat from the lights away from the terrarium.
Sorry to be so behind on this post.

[Igorek]

Here's my exoterra orchidarium.

As it was:



two 120mm fans - one blowing wet air (aka swamp cooler) up and away from water reservoir, second fan - from upper conner.


and as it is now:



Back wall will be substituted by some transparent one.

[gmdiaz]

Ok, I am new at this whole tank thing and I don't know exactly what you have in mind, but:

If you could find a light canopy with TWO switches on it, you could use one for the light and and wire the other switch to the fan. You'd have to switch the light and fan off and on manually though. So, if you put the light canopy on a timer, it will be all off or all on.

OR

You could use the lamp canopy with one switch just to run the fan. . .require some small rewiring on your part. . .no light.

OR

You could also have the fan (with its own plug) mounted to your panel material. . .use the light canopy for a light.

[cb977]

Thanks Gwen

I specifically found Masdies that like shade so I don't really want the light but I want the fan to be able to be powered by it and have a light available if I need it.

I think I'll be trying your first suggestion

[gmdiaz]

Gonna go check the exo terra lamp canopies for your size tank. . .brb.

[gmdiaz]

Looks like the small size canopy only has one switch!

But one super nice thing about them is that there is a groove on top that fits their hygrometer & thermometer. The sensors slip in the tank behind your panel backing. Neat & TiTAY.

Here's the link so you can go look see: Exo Terra Terrarium Canopies

But you could use any lamp housing. . .note the width of the tank in the size specs down at the bottom of the page. . .you can use it to help you shop for the right size.

[gmdiaz]

Originally Posted by gmdiaz

Looks like the small size canopy only has one switch!

But one super nice thing about them is that there is a groove on top that fits their hygrometer & thermometer. The sensors slip in the tank behind your panel backing. Neat & TiTAY.

Here's the link so you can go look see: Exo Terra Terrarium Canopies

Reinbo15: Thanks so much! I am glad to hear you feel inspired. I receive so much of that myself here!

In my quote above, there is a link called Exo Terra Terrarium Canopies! Click the link to go to their site. I've got two of their canopies.

Hiya Sue: Hope you're feeling better & relaxing into the long holiday weekend! I just think those fans make all the difference in the world. It's a must have.

I think tomorrow, if I can swing it with hubby, I'd like to see about adding an orchid to my collection! I've got quite a list going, so it's gonna be hard to choose just one.

[cb977]

Thanks Gwen...decisions, decisions!