Took the Exo-Terra Plunge, Three!

[Dorothy]

Yes I did it - Thanks to BlackJungle.com - Great doing business with them!
I went to a reptile show at the Westchester County Center in White Plains, NY and purchased a 24" x 18" x 24" Exo Terra Tank! and at the excellent price of $127.
Now time to do hours of reading and figure out how to set it up for the orchids I have (or will be getting ) ..
I know I want to give it an oriental look so I will be making bamboo lattices for the flooring as a wall for hangers and mounts ..
What else can be used at the base .. I have seen Leca .. but I would think that would make the tank funky after a while and not very maintainence free .. does anyone use a tray to collect water than may drain to the bottom?
I'll have it set up in front of a window and may forego lighting
So much to decide on ..

Yes Ross .. I know, I know I did it ..
but it won't be in the basement


MistKing is one of the first of many things to consider

Photos to come in the near (?) future ..

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[cb977]

Very cool, D!

Are you going for cool or warm growing plants?
Keep temps and lighting in mind when you're choosing

I can't wait to see what you do with it

[Dorothy]

Right now I am thinking for warm plants since the winter is coming. I'll be able to keep the cooler plants without a problem .. but already I see another Exo in my future and I haven't even started with this one!
(Another reptile show is coming in the spring and closer - this time on Long Island .. BlackJungle .. here I come)
( Darn, those poison dart frogs are so coooool! .. I also discovered crested geckos at the show .. http://www.baystatereptiles.com/imag...ed_gecko_1.JPG
awesome critters! )

I didn't see any blue tailed lizards
Darn it!

[shakkai]

Dorothy! What great news! Congratulations! I'm sure your tank will be a stunner.

I went with LECA on the bottom, and so far its worked out well with no 'icky-ness' - but I am growing most of my things mounted on (or at least stuck into crevices of) pieces of 'bog wood' - kinda like drift wood.

I hand mist so that I can leave the top completely open providing air circulation without any electrics involved. And mine sits in front of the window, too, so I also don't have lights.

I'm so happy for you, Dorothy! Can't wait to see the photos of your setup when you post them.

[gmdiaz]

I am sooooo laughing! Dorthy, your posts are such a delight!

I LOVE your idea to create bamboo lattices! And I LOVE the idea of going with an oriental theme. Great ideas!

A note on changes made to my humidity "system":

Originally, I had the Hydroton balls on the bottom of the tank, beneath the flooring. . .sitting in water. This got ugly.

I cleaned out the entire tank and added a small tray of water, hidden in the middle of the layer of Hydroton. My humidity levels shot up!

Because I had washed off, what I shall henceforth refer to as "the balls". . .LOL. . .they released the humidity back into the tank. Because the tank was more humid than it was, the humidity drips back down into the balls. . .creating a cycle. The tray in the bottom, full of water. . .just stabilizes it all. It's sooo much cleaner (so far) and more effective.

I take all the plants out to water them. . .actually dunk them in a bucket of MSU water. I like to scrutinize each plant to see if anything miraculous is happening. .. it often is!

And I bought some tiny clear drip trays for each plant. . .trying to keep down the mess.

I am such a nerd.

[Dorothy]

Shak and GM -Thank you for your input .. I will definitely keep your ideas in mind!!

"the balls"

[shakkai]

Maybe because mine is a cool tank, I don't get the 'stuff' on "the balls"??? (Gwen, you're too funny!)

I'll have to see if I can get a photo sometime this week to show you all...

[Dorothy]

Oh that would be wonderful!
Thanks Shak

OMG .. "stuff" on "the balls"
Don't get me started ..
( I'm being good )

[caseydoll]

Hi Dorothy! I was just curious if you ever decided on what to put in the bottom of your terrarium? Maybe you posted it in another post and I missed it. I was thinking of getting one and am trying to make plans in my head so how you all are doing it is really helping me out. I know nothing about this kind of stuff!

[Dorothy]

I haven't started yet - but will let you know and post pics when I do
Check out the other threads on exos, tanks and orchidariums in the search option - quite a few have taken the plunge.