new set up advice

[bobchick]

Hi, I've got a bunch of orchids that I keep in an old aquarium in pots set on those expanded clay pellets with some water in to keep the humidity but not let them sit in water, but id really like to display them better in more of an orchidarium type set up but I don't know how to go about it. how do you water/feed without it becoming swamped in water if you cant remove pots to water???? Really basic I know, but any advice help would be really helpful.
Thanks

[stonedragonfarms]

First, welcome to the orchid board.
Second, I'm not sure how mechanically inclined you are, but the easiest way is to drill a drainage hole in the bottom of the tank and let the water out in that way. Alternately, you can lift the plants out of the tank to water/fertilize, and then replace them. I'm sure the others will chime in, but all of my vivs have a drain hole drilled in the bottom, with either a bucket or another vessel underneath to catch runoff; I use the collected water on my bromeliads and epiphyllums.
Adam

[bobchick]

Thanks for the welcome. Ah, so that's how its done. I guess I was hoping not to drill the tank. What do you bung it with between waterings?

[WhiteRabbit]

[Tindomul]

i agree drilling is the best solution. You don't have to drill the bottom, you can drill one of the sides like a semi hydro pot (one hole though). You can use eggcrate to create a false bottom so your plants don't touch the reservoir of water and avoid using the hydroton which will block the hole you drilled. Use a bulk head to attach a hose for drainage.
Or, you can avoid draining,and create a small corner pond, that is, an area where you can see and access the water with turkey baster and suck the water out when it accumulates too much.

[bobchick]

Oooh I like the turkey baster idea, that seems a quick and simple solution get me started, though perhaps more work to maintain. Thanks