10gal Orchidarium

[isurus79]

Hey everyone,
I have just set up 2 orchidariums and the smaller of the two is this one. Basically, I took a 10 gallon tank, had a hole and 1" bulkhead put in for drainage. Then I went to Ikea and found a baby changing table to put it on. Next, I hung a 2 foot, 2 bulb T5 HO system from the wall using hanging pot mounts that normally go on the outside of houses.

On the bottom of the tank is a several inches of hydroton to collect water for humidity. I will be planting some Cryptocoryne and Riccia fluitans in this area to make it a nice green carpet underneath my orchids. I did this instead just having a pool of water to prevent excessive algal growth. I would rather have a nice carpet of green moss than an algae covered swamp that I need to clean once a month. Hopefully the Riccia will outcompete the algae for both moisture, light and any extra fertilizer that my orchids don't use.

Ironically, the small tank is being used to house my larger Cattleyas. The larger tank (which I will post pics of soon) will be used for smaller plants, ie. minis. Thanks for looking!


Orchidarium1 by Isurus79, on Flickr


Orchidarium2 by Isurus79, on Flickr


Orchidarium3 by Isurus79, on Flickr

[WhiteRabbit]

looks good!

[bballr4567]

Interesting. I like it for sure.

[shinv]

What is the humility level of this? I want to set up one. THX

[isurus79]

Honestly, I'm not sure what the humidity is. But I bet with the fact that there is a pool of water inside the hydroton and no fan blowing would lead to a much higher humidity level than outside the tank. A lid on top would also raise the humidity, but I don't think these particular plants need it (they're all Cattleyas in this tank).

[isurus79]

I have put in Glossostigma and Riccia fluitans in the bottom of this orchidarium/paludarium. Its a bit of trial and error with these new aquatic species, but I'm learning that the aquatic species can be fried pretty easily by bright light as they are learning to live outside the water. Here are some update pics:


Riccia fluitans below Catt. amethystoglossa by Isurus79, on Flickr


Riccia fluitans by Isurus79, on Flickr


Glossostigma by Isurus79, on Flickr


Riccia fluitans by Isurus79, on Flickr

Each pic has a quick description on flicker if you want to follow the links over there.

[isurus79]

The Riccia has really taken off in this tank and the Glossostigma died off, but I reintroduced a bunch the second round is doing really well now.


DSCF5042 by Isurus79, on Flickr

In the middle of this pic is a newly formed Cattleya maxima growth and you can see a large Catt. violacea growth (purple looking) to the right:


DSCF5035 by Isurus79, on Flickr

And the new root system and tiny new growth from the just finished maxima growth:


DSCF5037 by Isurus79, on Flickr

Here is a picture of a coerulea walkeriana seedling throwing out a new growth:


DSCF5041 by Isurus79, on Flickr

Here is Cattleya Maui Plum (one of the few hybrid Catts I absolutely love!!) new growth:


DSCF5038 by Isurus79, on Flickr

[isurus79]

I forgot to add that I mounted a small, 3" computer fan to the wall for circulation. The mold was starting to build up pretty quickly, but the fan has cut that down a lot.


DSCF5044 by Isurus79, on Flickr

[isurus79]

Final update: Most everything is growing fantastically well in this setup. However, I want to show the Riccia and Glossostigma (taller plants in the pics). They are making the perfect little mat to cover up the hydroton and prevent algae from growing (by blocking light and absorbing nutrients). Not to mention the fact that they look absolutely amazing! The Glosso is even blooming right now and is several inches high. Not bad for a plant normally grown submerged.


Tank Update 6-25-2012 by Isurus79, on Flickr


Tank Update 6-25-2012 by Isurus79, on Flickr


Tank Update 6-25-2012 by Isurus79, on Flickr

[isurus79]

Here's another update:
Untitled by Isurus79, on Flickr

I hung a 10 gallon incandescent aquarium hood with two of Ray's new LED bulbs (seen in this thread: http://www.orchidboard.com/community...-led-lamp.html ) for added light. I felt that some of my dry winter plants (Catt. nobilior, walkeriana, Clowesia, cactus, etc.) would need some extra light during their dormant period. I also felt that my Catt's were not getting quite enough light with the 4 bulb HO T5 system (though they are growing just fine) so this addition will help with that as well.