Need a little help with terrarium growing

[gngrhill]

I was just given a glass fish tank which I want to convert to orchids. I have read enough to think I should put a layer of some kind of stone (lava rock, leca, whatever ) and then water to keep the stones wet and raise the plants above the water. I plan on placing my LED light over it. I would like any input as to my thoughts and also on air movement . I assume I need a cover to keep the humidity in, but I'm sure you can't just leave it like that without causing all kinds of mayhem with fungus, mold, etc. The take has a screen that fits over the top, but I would think that would let the humidity out. any advice appreciated Also need advice on how to sterilize it before use. Physon 20, Clorox, something else ??

[Leafmite]

I don't have an orchid tank but thankfully, many do and will be able to give you plenty of advice. I have grown and kept many other things in tanks, though.

I usually bleach the fish tanks by pouring in the bleach, giving it a good scrub with a brush, then adding water until it is full and letting it soak for a while (we've reused them for plants, fish, frogs, gerbils and now one has a hamster). Then I rinse well and let dry.

The air circulation is really dependent upon what you are growing. I have two orchids growing in glass jars (Platystele stenostachya and Haraella rectrocalla) that are perfectly content. The jars even have lids on them.

Orchids that grow in breezy conditions tend to be very prone to rot (Angraecums) and would definitely need a fan. I haven't needed a fan for any of the plants (non-orchids) I have grown in tanks so others will have to advise you on that. I do plan to do another planted tank but if I put orchids in it, I will likely just use a small clip on fan that can be found at a big box store or Amazon.

Good luck!

[buffalo]

I hooked up a computer fan to prevent mold from growing.
Mold is hit or miss for me, sometimes i get it in terrariums sometimes i dont. Not sure why. Ive taken terrarium apart rather than fight with it.
I use a little cinnamon powder if it just mold in a small area.

[Transcendental topiary]

I wish you the best of luck. I'm here for the same reason lol. Ive always wanted orchids but never had a good environment for them. My son wanted a venus fly trap so after a ton of research on that I've been growing one successfully in an apothecary jar which got me thinking about an old hex tank that was sitting unused in the basement. .. long story short, here i am. Most of my research kept bringing me to a dart frog forum as id like to use their backgrounds / landscapes building techniques but I'm probably going to be better off here than i was there. I think I've got my build figured out at this point, its just the little details i have to figure out a few things. (Fan, lighting, lid - I too am looking for a way to build a lid for the tank, my tank didnt have one when i picked it up) feel free to message me, maybe we can help each other out / bounce around ideas

[Optimist]

In a terrarium, we are to expect the same break down of organic material that happens on the forest floor or for that matter in a flower pot (orchid pot).

So fungus and mold etc will grow if the spores are present.

A decent small fan system can be found in just about anything that uses a fan internally. I have taken apart humidifyers for example and found small fans that can be repurposed to terrariums. With the Glass top of the terrarium it is a good idea to have the fan on one side and then an "exit" area on the other side.

In a sense, when you are working with things that are not "invented" or mass produced, you need to do a lot of experimenting. .Since moisture is also in the mix, make sure you understand safety with electricity and water before proceeding.

I feel that the perfect lid would be made of acrylic, and would have a hole drilled or cut in it with a screen over it. The screen is to keep gnats and other intruders out.

I am really considering building another 500 to 1500 fc terrarium. There are plenty of miniature orchids in this lighting range, and it makes the lighting situation a bit less expensive. Dart frogs will need special reptile lamps and I think warmers as well. I am more attracted to lizards actually. Another nice potential is mantids.

Whatever the case, since the mini orchids are so small, any animal can ruin or crush them. I think you would need to chose your animal/orchid combo very carefully.

[estación seca]

Computer cooling fans are very inexpensive. They can be wired to a battery holder for a small 9 volt rectangular battery - the kind commonly used in smoke detectors. I know many people who use these to blow over their indoor light growing areas; the breeze is enough to blow away fungus gnats, who then cannot lay their eggs in the soil.