My first orchid tank

Just in case anybody follows this thread, here is an update:
The 4 tubes was too much light, phals were literally burning, so I removed two tubes and put fixture in the middle. Middle shelf that sits directly under lights now hosts cattleyas. Phals are at the back and up front. Cattleyas get purple pigmentation but no damage so I figure its all good.

I don't really use fan. I just open the gap in the doors and on both sides of the top cover for the night when lights are off. It creates an air circulation and lowers humidity and temps for the night.
So no mold or rot there yet.

Plants are doing great. I have large number of spikes pictures of which I posted somewhere on the other thread.

Latest pics of my both tanks. They have some color now

I moved most of my phals from moss and clay to bark and plastic pots because my family complained that it stinks like wet moss in the basement

[billc]

Everything looks nice and green. You still have a lot of room in there.

Bill

[chilipepper]

Orchideya I love it and it has inspired me to try a similar setup myself. I found a used reptile enclosure that is smaller 38x18x18 that has doors in front. I have an hps 150 watt growlight but I am sure it will create too much heat so I am going to take advice from a kind board member and build a hood from wood and attach cfl outlets. The person I bought the tank from included a trickling waterfall so I may play with it for humidity and see what happens. I'm wondering if, when I build the wooden hood if I should leave an opening in the back for circulation and for running any cords or tubes I may need for various equipment. Is your top kept completely closed? Do you mist and if so how often? Sorry if you've already answered those questions and I missed it. Please keep us updated on your setup and feel free to pm me if you have any advice or anything I should know.

[tucker85]

Wow! I'm impressed. Everything is really growing well. Good job.

Thanks guys.
The top is covered, but there is a very small gap in the doors now because I hit them together and pieces of glass shattered off. I have smal fans in there but don't really use them. Humidity is at 80% in smaller tank and 60-65% in larger.
I don't mist at all and make sure there is absolutely no water on the leaves at all times.
So far no problems with rot or mold (knocks on the wood )

[DeafOrchidLover]

Wow! That's beautiful tank along with your phals... Goregous tank! Can I ask you a question? Orchideya , I would like to use my 29 gallon fish tank. Okay, hmmm how can I describe this? Umm umm. Okay my husband likes cool temperature during winter. I would say umm like most of times at 70-72 degrees, sometimes it falls under 70 degrees during daytime. At night, we don't use heat a.c. Sometimes it can go below 65 degrees at night. We would use heat a.c. if it gets below 60 degrees f. It had created panic for me. Yes, you could say I do complain about it with my husband. Sighing. I have 29 gallon fish tank, I believe I do have the cover along with it. Can I put heating pad under that fish tank to create warm inside? Speaking of heating pad, I'd wrap it with old towel n put it underneath. Probably have to set low and see what happens. I do have gravel, and will leave water in tank. It's my creative thoughts.Humidity and light is not the issue. It's cold temperature issues. I have two phal hybrid, one is vorecia alba and second is Bellina blue tawian. I also do have several phals, too. Just scared of losing my several phalaenopsis due to coldness. It's my first winter with chids. I haven't started it yet. I could use advices or anything. Thank you very much for reading this.

Already tried and didn't worth. I felt stupid and discourage but at least I tried. :/ Just a dumb question, though.

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[VMStearns]

Fantastic set-up! I am thinking of turning a small (5 gallon) fish tank into a miniature orchid terrarium.

I had never considered the egg-crate light diffuser as a base and sides but it is perfect for hanging mounted miniature orchids. I'm getting really excited!!!

[Stray59]

DeafOrchidLover - I realize you addressed your question to Orchideya, but I tried what you are asking about several years ago and it was a colossal flop. Most heat pads are now required to shut off after a certain amount of time, and many now are motion-sensitive, so if there is no movement on the pad it shuts off.
I my case I had an older heating pad that just stayed on - it seemed to do okay for a few days, but it shorted out and caught fire, breaking the tank and causing major damage in the garage. BTW - I was not heating orchids, just a large seedling tank of a variety of species. I lost everything and had a LARGE amount of repair costs. I could have purchased a huge, top of the line commercial set up with what I spent in fixing and replacing all that was lost.
It really is cheaper in the long run to purchase a moisture-safe heating cable that is designed for providing bottom heat to plants, and use it inside the tank; often these have a temperature regulator built in. Or, you could go to a local pet store and look for heating devices for reptiles perhaps, as another option to check into.
Personal heating pads are really designed for short periods of use, and you are looking for something that may run 24-7, 365 days a years and pads just aren't built for that.
Best of luck - this is a pretty inventive group, so I am betting someone has a different approach, but I just wanted to warn you about my experience with a heating pad - it was definitely NOT worth it.

Sorry, I wasn't around here lately and didn't see the question.
If you will use the same type of lights that I am using - it will heat the tank enough for phals.
My tanks are in the basement now with ambient temps around 15-16 C which is around 60F and large tanks has around 20C inside, small tank (phals and seedlings) around 22C.
Sorry for delayed answer.
I don't use heating pads