Building an Orchidarium

[Bird Song Farm]

Originally Posted by Crew Chief

Hey Al just saw the Central Maine Highlands, I own a house in Sebec that my son,daughter-in-law and 2 wonderful granddaughters live in. I even work in D/F sometimes. I live at Big Smith Pond, near Kahtadin

Just sent you a PM.
AL

[Ross]

Originally Posted by Crew Chief

Ross...What about tempered glass?

Actually, any glass would be better than acrylic - just lots heavier. No need for really thick glass because you don't have wall pressure to contend with. I wish I had done mine in glass. Mine is 37" long x 20" wide x 32" high and I get lots of warpage. I like the size, but I was warned by the fabricator of this situation. Glass is harder to deal with attaching doors or drilling for mist nozzles, etc. It's a series of trade-offs however you go. As for lights, I use a 48" bank of 4 t5 florescents which is situated 4" above the top of my tank. I measure just under 2000 foot-candles on the high shelf (10" below the top of case, 14" below the lights) and I measure approx 700 foot-candles at bottom of tank. The figures quoted earlier on light seem pretty dim to me if t5 florescents are used. One bank would do for 24" wide. and you could grow quite a few shade-lovers at 48".

[bosco]

I've built my orchidarium to similar specs, 48x24x24, using sheets of acrylic 0.25" thick. I've had little problem with the tank, except for the door bowing out due to high internal humidity. If I were to redo the tank I'd start with polycarbonate sheeting, its stronger, doesn't absorb water, but more expensive. I've made several cylindrical nano-vivs using 1mm thick polycarb with no problem.

Make sure you practice welding acrylic before working with large sheets, also try to rough up edges that will be welded together, it'll make for a better seal. For a tank 48 x 48 you may need internal bracing to prevent bowing. Hope this helps

For lighting I use one 125watt CPF, and the tank abuts an eastern facing window. I can grow high light requiring plants within 16-24" of the bulb, for the bottom half I have low-light-requiring bulbos and phals. In retrospect I should've just used several (8) 24" bulbs (t-5?).

[Crew Chief]

Bosco Thanks for your input, with everyone's help I am in the process of of re-thinking my plans and then build. By the way a good friend of mine is called Bosco, so your not alone....Bob

[Ocelaris]

I'm about to start making my Orchidarium next week, taking off all week to do so. I am using 1/4" acrylic, which has me worried by everyone's comments. I'm using the acrylic for plate glass only, like I'm using wood and other parts for structure, the acrylic is just sitting in place for transparency. Like I won't be joining any acrylic with glue/weld. it will all be bolts/nuts/biscuit joins. It seems pretty strong, I will be suprised if it bows; but as they say, you live and you learn. I'll just blame my wife the Architect who made up the CAD drawings if things go wrong )

The tank is going to be 4x4x2 (LxWxD) and I have 2 x 250 metal halides going on top. I will be using a automatic spraying/misting to water the plants, and a whole assortment of other peculiar instrumentation for humidity, air control etc...

Wish me luck!

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[Ross]

Good luck. I'll just about gaurantee it will warp, sorry. Mine did. No way to stop it. Is it too late to switch to glass, at least for the big sides?

[Crew Chief]

Hi Al just got back from FL with many new Orchids to try. Also got in some diving for Fossil Shark Teeth and other Fossils. My wife's conf. was good and saw the Jersey Boys Musical. I do believe I handled the mess on your lawn with the idiots. Now trying to buy a 110 Gal Fish tank. ...Bob

[CodiMN]

I'm sooooooooo thankful that we reinforced my orchidarium with aluminum. It's helped a lot...makes it more sturdy to move, or when I need to drill another hole or whatever. I'll try to post some pics...not very glamorous, but it's working.

[CodiMN]

The blue is just the protective covering...the plastic underneath is clear.

[Bird Song Farm]

Now trying to buy a 110 Gal Fish tank.

Hi Bob, please keep us posted on the orchidarium and what plants did you get in FL?

Boy, that's going to be one big orchid house!!
Sure would like to be in on the fabrication!
Al