Moisture Issues - Orchid Board

Becca · #1 01-11-2008, 04:10 PM

I call this a moisture issue, because I am happy with the humidity I have...lol, so here it goes: In my Exo-Terra tank water splashes onto the bottom floor, either from a tub of water I keep for humidity w/ an airstone or from the pots dripping after I water. The orchid pots were sitting directly on the same surface. I have several pots that I put PrimeAgra in just the bottom 1/3 of the pot to increase drainage, and I thought it was a problem with just these pots that are like this, but it isn't. I am noticing that I see a lot of condensation in the pots even a week after watering. Most of the humidity stays down towards the bottom of the tank, so I am sure this is my problem. I think the moisture is wicking into the pots from the bottom and I am afraid of having root rot problems from the medium always staying moist. Most are planted in a chc mixture with the PrimeAgra in the bottom, but not ll have the PrimeAgra so I am pretty sure it is not the problem. I even raised the floor up about 6 inches by using lighting grate (I think that is the term). But now I have been misting a few of my mounted 'chids more in place of dunking them so I am having the water build up in the bottom of the terrarium and I am still having the same problem. I really don't want root rot, what should I do? I am going to get a baster and try and get the excess liquid out of the bottom more often, but other then that, I am not sure what I can do to solve the problem? I thought of adding a fan under the raised floor, would this help?

Ross · #2 01-11-2008, 05:00 PM

Does your misting occur at night as well? Is there a dry spell during the 24 hour day? Keep in mind none of my plants are potted in my tank, so I am just guessing and trying to send you some thoughts.

Is the moisture on the outside of pots or inside? If inside, how do you know this?

If the moisture is outside, it could be condensation due to temperature difference. Much like fog on inside of window in morning in winter. Not to worry if this is the case.

Do your fans run 24/7? They should be, even if misters are not running at night. In addition you might want to crack the doors just a bit before going to bed. High moisture during daylight isn't bad, at night in dark it will lead to rot or mold. Lower humidity at night shouldn't be a worry as it will help keep plants a bit drier and less rot-prone.

shakkai · #3 01-11-2008, 05:10 PM

Becca,

I have some in pots in my tank, but I've tried to take advantage of the wicking action and leave nearly an inch of water in the bottom of my Exo. My tank has Pleuros which like the constant moisture, so they are in little clay pots sitting on top of the Hydroton. Everything stays slightly damp, but not wet.

I'd have to agree with Ross (how often does that happen?!?!) and I'd open the doors slightly at night and let the humidity drop and things dry out a bit. After a week, you might find you have a nice balance.

Becca · #4 01-11-2008, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ross

Does your misting occur at night as well? Is there a dry spell during the 24 hour day? Keep in mind none of my plants are potted in my tank, so I am just guessing and trying to send you some thoughts.

Is the moisture on the outside of pots or inside? If inside, how do you know this?

If the moisture is outside, it could be condensation due to temperature difference. Much like fog on inside of window in morning in winter. Not to worry if this is the case.

Do your fans run 24/7? They should be, even if misters are not running at night. In addition you might want to crack the doors just a bit before going to bed. High moisture during daylight isn't bad, at night in dark it will lead to rot or mold. Lower humidity at night shouldn't be a worry as it will help keep plants a bit drier and less rot-prone.

Does your misting occur at night as well? Is there a dry spell during the 24 hour day? Keep in mind none of my plants are potted in my tank, so I am just guessing and trying to send you some thoughts.

No, this tank does not have a misting system set up in it. I have a small container of water with an airstone in it, the airstone turns off at night along with the lights, the fan continues to run 24/7.

Is the moisture on the outside of pots or inside? If inside, how do you know this?

Inside, and I know this because the pots are clear and I can see in them! And I have been cracking the doors open at night, sometimes I open them fully and close them in the morning before heading off to work.

shakkai · #5 01-11-2008, 05:44 PM

Becca, could you hang the pots in some way so that they aren't in contact with the bottom and they get more air circulation around them from the fan? Just a thought... I've got a couple of orchids in pots that I've wrapped wire around so that they can hang up.

Becca · #6 01-11-2008, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shakkai

Becca, could you hang the pots in some way so that they aren't in contact with the bottom and they get more air circulation around them from the fan? Just a thought... I've got a couple of orchids in pots that I've wrapped wire around so that they can hang up.

I have this problem every day. I did raise the floor up with lighting grate about 6 inches up. And I already have plants that hang on the side of the orchidarium...lol. I can't raise the new floor up any higher or else I won't have room for a mondo sized mount I have hanging up...lol

shakkai · #7 01-11-2008, 06:01 PM

I understand about raising the floor up - in any case, that would only allow the water to build up even more, but it would still be an issue sooner or later unless you come up with a way to dry it out. What about a second fan that you run at night that is targeted directly at the bottom where the water is accumulating?

Becca · #8 01-11-2008, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shakkai

I understand about raising the floor up - in any case, that would only allow the water to build up even more, but it would still be an issue sooner or later unless you come up with a way to dry it out. What about a second fan that you run at night that is targeted directly at the bottom where the water is accumulating?

Sorry about the floor thing...lol.

Your idea about a second fan is a good idea, I thought of the same thing, but I wasn't sure how well it would work. The Coralife fan I have at the top of the tank only puts out a gentle breeze. Anyhow, I am going to be cleaning the yuck out of the bottom this weekend as I can't stand the sight of it...lol

Ross · #9 01-11-2008, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Becca

Sorry about the floor thing...lol.

Your idea about a second fan is a good idea, I thought of the same thing, but I wasn't sure how well it would work. The Coralife fan I have at the top of the tank only puts out a gentle breeze. Anyhow, I am going to be cleaning the yuck out of the bottom this weekend as I can't stand the sight of it...lol

I did tell you that the filters on the Coralife fans slow down the breeze, right? Mine is bare bulb (nothing but the fan). And it is quite vigorous.

Becca · #10 01-11-2008, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ross

I did tell you that the filters on the Coralife fans slow down the breeze, right? Mine is bare bulb (nothing but the fan). And it is quite vigorous.

Yep! Took that little filter off, but it seems there is more airflowing going up on the acrylic then there is going down on the plants, but there is only one direction to mount the thing so it must be right.