setting up a 70-80 gallon terrarium

[thefish1337]

I recently acquired an old laminar flow sash hood that was going to be thrown out. It was once used to inspect mail for things like anthrax during the 2000s. The actual fan is broken but the hood had me seeing terrarium dreams. I will use this post to document the progress I make in converting this into a terrarium. The front opening is excellent for working inside but also seals well. The demensions are 34L X 24 W at the base and 34" L X 18" W at the top and 23" tall.



The main thing I want help with ideas for is the bottom. I was thinking about making a liner that contains about 2-3" of substrate. But I'm also curious about going substrate less since I plan on only having epiphytes. Next I will focus on lighting. Is it possible to create a gradient where i can grow high light plants from the middle to the top areas but low light plants at the bottom?

[Paul]

You could of course, go completely "substrateless." Are you planning on the terr being just utilitarian or are you aiming for aesthetically appealing/attractive? If the former, then there is no reason to have any substrate at all. If you wish to make it both functional and attractive, then some form of substrate would likely help. My 55 and 90 tanks are both carpeted with sphag. It serves multiple purposes: as a media for plants that are planted on the bottom, hides the glass bottom from view, and creates a larger surface area for evaporation thus helping to maintain humidity.

A natural light gradient will exist no matter what you do. Those plants higher in the tank will receive considerably more light (assuming your lights are at the top of the tank) than those at the bottom. In addition, depending upon just how spread out along the top you have the plants, they may create shade for those below them.

[thefish1337]

I don't plan on going substrateless. This terrarium is for asthetic purposes and horticulture. What are you growing sphag on ? In a previous terrarium I used coir separated by fabric from a leca drainage layer. My girlfriend really likes ferns so I was planning on using wood to mount miniature orchids and bromeliads and put low light plants in the bottom.

[thefish1337]

I'm mainly focused on hardware at this point. Heating I think will be difficult. in my previous terrarium I used bottom heat but I'm not sure that will work in this enclosure. I've already been looking at mist systems and I have a pretty good idea about what sort of lighting I'll need. The heat is the biggest question mark for me.

[Optimist]

I would love to see some photos when you are working on it!