My Orchidarium and sister tank

[Tindomul]

Never had snail, or millipedes or mites.
Scale, I rub the plants with chemicals to kill that, if I get any. Only twice before. Solves it nicely.
Mealy bugs....ahhhh. Now that was a problem.
THE GREAT MEALY BUG WAR of 07/08!!!
I lost many of the original inhabitants of the tank due to that. Keferstenia, Tolumnia, Slc, Masdie floribunda, rolfeana, and others, other Bulbos and....
Well lets just say there were casaulties on both sides. There were many Mealies that fought bravely but I won in th end. Eventually I had to rip out anything that had the bug and clean everyone else with neem oil. Took forever to get rid of the oil. Thats why I have never had frog or salamander in this tank.
I constantly check the plants for signs of pest. Get them when they are starting out and you are more likely to come out ok.

---------- Post added at 10:52 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:38 PM ----------

Did a quick search on "great Meally Bug war" and found the thread I started during the war. Apparently I had lost my Haraella to mealy and Schoenorchis fragrans too. I didn't even remember I had ever had that species.
At the time of the post I was still fending them off with alcohol, silly me. Thats like trying to kill angry Elephant with a 2 inch string.

http://www.orchidboard.com/community...r-07-08-a.html

[ezil]

Thanks Tindo, I'm all to familiar with the "mealy bugs wars". I too fought bravely and won (eventually) and have become very vigilant. It's the little bush snails that somehow seem to emerge out of nowhere. In a lush terrarium they're almost impossible to eradicate. Baits only go so far.

[mikew]

Stunning set up.

[Tindomul]

Thanks for the kind words Mike.

[Paul Mc]

Ah yes, the great Mealy Bug Wars... I fear we've all lost some good Captains, Generals and foot soldiers in those long wars... Glad to see yours are doing good though!

[Luntian]

That is one awesome tank.May I ask what kind of lighting you use?

[Tindomul]

Thanks. I am using two 65 watt Compact flourescent bulbs in a fixture made for aquarium lighting. 6,000K, portions of the tank are supplemented by afternoon sunlight during the winter from a south facing window.

[isurus79]

Beautiful looking setup Tindo. I'd love to see more tank shots as you post pics of your blooms. Its always great to get context of growing conditions for plants, especially when your tank looks like this!

[Tindomul]

Thanks!! As soon as something blooms I will post it.