Took the Exo-Terra plunge but need help.

[Tindomul]

Well if you raised it, then you should be ok to go. The problems come when the water reservoir has absolutely no where to go except up.

[lj25]

I have also took the Exo-Terra plunge. I have just bought a 18"x18"x24". I set it up with a layer of gravel on the bottom, and have the pots my orchids are in directly on top of this... Granted it looks a bit like a Wardian Case at the moment, but my orchids look happy in the higher humity... I have a sunlight bulb set up from an old broken aqarium that I had a couple of years ago for light... Anyway, to the point:

I have been looking at your set ups (which are beautiful, by the way) and it has raised a couple questions...

1. What brands of lighting did you have to use so that it would be compatable with the Exo-Terra hood?

and 2. I thought that a lot of orchids needed to have some sort of container around them to make them feel "safe" so that they grow better...

I know these questions might sound basic, but I would really appreciate any advise.

Thanks in advance for your input


Laura

[Becca]

Originally Posted by lj25

I have also took the Exo-Terra plunge. I have just bought a 18"x18"x24". I set it up with a layer of gravel on the bottom, and have the pots my orchids are in directly on top of this... Granted it looks a bit like a Wardian Case at the moment, but my orchids look happy in the higher humity... I have a sunlight bulb set up from an old broken aqarium that I had a couple of years ago for light... Anyway, to the point:

I have been looking at your set ups (which are beautiful, by the way) and it has raised a couple questions...

1. What brands of lighting did you have to use so that it would be compatable with the Exo-Terra hood?

and 2. I thought that a lot of orchids needed to have some sort of container around them to make them feel "safe" so that they grow better...

I know these questions might sound basic, but I would really appreciate any advise.

Thanks in advance for your input


Laura

Hi Laura,
I have the same Exo-Terra you have. I opted not to use the Exo-Terra Hood. This is what I have done, and it is working well so far:

I purchased a piece of acrylic glass to help hold in the humidity and cut down on the heat from the lights I am using. It works well to keeping the humidity in, but my temps get up to 90 or so during the day and drop to about 70 to mid 70 during the night.

The light I am using is an eight bulb T5 fixture that is 21.3"L X 22.8" W X 3½"H. I went with this light because it was the only T5 I could find closest to the tank dimmensions with out having to purchase two light fixtures for the tank, and it turns out it overlaps perfectly since Ross said that the bulbs are not as strong at the ends. Let me say....I am sold on T5's. And like Ross also pointed out to me....the light fixture might be more expensive for the initial purchase, but the replacement bulbs are cheaper, where as the Exo-Terra hood is cheaper, and I think the replacement bulbs might be more expensive. But when you have to purchase 8 replacement bulbs, it might end up equal down the road, but T5 lights are much better. I am seeing great results with these lights! Here is the link to the light fixture I purchased:
Buy New Wave T5 Fluorescent Grow Light 2ft 4 Bulb 192W

For humidity, I have a container of water with sponges and a bubbler sitting in it, as long as the container is full of water, the humidity stays very high, like in the 90% range during the day, sometimes I open the doors to bring the humidity down at night and then close them before going to bed. I also have a fan for circulation running 24/7 as well, which is mounted to the acrylic glass, which I cut to fit where the screen used to be.

As far as orchids needing to be in containers to feel safe to grow, think of how the grow naturally....I think they would be much happier mounted, but that takes a lot of time with watering!

Well that is my two cents, hope it helps!

[cb977]

Well that is my two cents, hope it helps!

Becca...you missed an opportunity to use this:

[Becca]

Dang your right Sue!

[travelfin]

How much air are you circulating and how much are you changing. What is the best mixture? Without changing high humidity no problem. But when changing high humidity is a problem. I know that in a building you ought to change the air twice an hour but in a terrarium how often, and how often according to size.

[FinnBar]

my tank is sealed quite well and i have two fans running non-stop. i usually let it air out only in the morning while watering and most nights for a short period after the lights go out. hard to say in percentages but basically the air is just circulating. in the end the ideal combination might depend on the species..

[Ross]

Originally Posted by FinnBar

my tank is sealed quite well and i have two fans running non-stop. i usually let it air out only in the morning while watering and most nights for a short period after the lights go out. hard to say in percentages but basically the air is just circulating. in the end the ideal combination might depend on the species..

I, personally, think your setup sounds fine. That's sorta what I do. As long as there is rapid air movement around the inside of the tank while it's closed up, that's fine. These are plants, not air-breathing mammals, so lots of fresh air isn't required. Couple times a day sounds fine. Mine is for 3 hours at night and I get about 70% humidity during that period of fresh air exchange.