Hi-Tech Wardian Case Temp Problems

[Magnus A]

I totaly agree with you Ocelaris

Building and planing is part of the fun

/Magnus

[Ocelaris]

Ok, back with some more pics after I've gone to the next level... Improvements:

Reflector above Cool grow tube, reflects most of the light back down on the plants, previous reflector was paltry at best.

Added External humidification, ultrasonic humidifier in bucket with 80mm 120v fans blows into the tank cool humid air, and sucks out the top hole, hot air (theoretically)

Added (partially) the peltier cooling modules. two heatsinks, the top one actively cooled, the bottom one since it is so moist can not have a fan blowing over it (fan would die)...

I haven't receieved the proper heatsinks yet, but the cooling capacity leaves something to be desired... it DOES keep it under 82 degrees, but I was hoping to get it under 80*. I think by increasing the efficiency of the cooling mechanism I can get it to go lower, right now there is very little air movement with the 80mm fans, by going up to 120mm, I can pull alot more air across the cooling element.

Humidity stays at 70% most of the time, good! I'm going to work on dropping the humidity down somehow to the 50% range at night... even though airflow is always going, it needs to dry out more I suspect.

[Ross]

Originally Posted by Ocelaris

even though airflow is always going, it needs to dry out more I suspect.

Why do you think this? Mine is 90+% and I have a fan running 24/7 over the 'chids with a supplemental fan running through-wall for 3 hours during night. The humidity stays really high and I see no problems, so I ask why you think you need to reduce below 50% .

[michael_exler]

hi all,
I am no expert on orchid cases.
Having said that, I believe you would have an easier time if you added more buffering plants that will remove the heat and keep the humidity high.
I am sense you are createing a micro-climate that will stop sudden high and lows in tempature and humidity.
But then again maybe I am way off base.

[Ross]

Originally Posted by michael_exler

hi all,
I am no expert on orchid cases.
Having said that, I believe you would have an easier time if you added more buffering plants that will remove the heat and keep the humidity high.
I am sense you are createing a micro-climate that will stop sudden high and lows in tempature and humidity.
But then again maybe I am way off base.

I think most cases are affected mostly by the choice of lights (as heat source). I have found one gets most heat away from case by using fans outside tank. Thus one is blowing away heat before it gets into case via radiation. Micro climate, yes, except that is the easiest to manipulate. Heat is the hardest.

[BPissalidis]

Would this help? Its a liquid cooling kit for CPUs
G-Cooler LC775 CPU Liquid Cooler Kit for Socket 775 CPUs LC775