Building an Orchidarium

[Crew Chief]

I am new to the OB and have read the info concerning building an Orchidarium. I live in a State with little humidity during the winter and I'm interested in making one with plexiglass, but big enough for what I perceive my needs might be about 48"X48"X24" with side doors, (2) 4' light fixtures, muffin fan, mist system and automatic light and humidity controls. I would like this to be a focal point and showcase for my orchids. Does anyone have any thoughts or suggestions before I proceed. Thanks

[Ross]

Be very aware that acrylic (plexiglas is a brand name) will warp even with reinforcing. The doors on mine are only 14"W x 23.5"H and have several 1" wide reinforcing strips. The acrylic is 1/4" thick. The doors warped right off the bat and I broke off the latches soon after. I had to make new latches out of heavy plywood. There is no way to stop the warping and a tank as large as you propose will be a real problem. I suggest a couple smaller tanks side by side. At least then you can set different growing conditions. Good luck and keep us informed as you proceed.

[dave b]

What kind of orchids do you now have, or will be putting in it.

The lights you mentioned sound like flourescents. If so, the light will only be strong enough if the plants are within 6" to 1 foot of the bulbs. If your dimensions are 48" high, you'll have several feet where the light intensity would be too low.

[Crew Chief]

Dave thanks for the suggestions concerning light requirements....I don't know which orchids I'll try but my wife believes it will be filled

[Crew Chief]

Ross...What about tempered glass?

[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

[Bird Song Farm]

Originally Posted by Crew Chief

I am new to the OB and have read the info concerning building an Orchidarium. I live in a State with little humidity during the winter and I'm interested in making one with plexiglass, but big enough for what I perceive my needs might be about 48"X48"X24" with side doors, (2) 4' light fixtures, muffin fan, mist system and automatic light and humidity controls. I would like this to be a focal point and showcase for my orchids. Does anyone have any thoughts or suggestions before I proceed. Thanks

Hello fellow Mainah!
Have you thought about looking around for a used aquarium? A 55 gallon size is close to your needs. 48" deep might be a bit hard to maintain. Don't know if you can find a weekly publication called "Uncle Henry's" up your way but there are always aquariums listed in it for very little $$. I've also seen a lot of them at yard sales. Even new 29's at Wally World are reasonable. (a bit smaller than your dimensions but more practical for a 'first timer'.)
My 29 gal. is curreltly in storage but someday will be put to this use.
Al from the Central Maine Highlands

[Crew Chief]

Bird Song farm.....Eh Yeah might just look in Uncles. Maybe I should try 2 smaller ones, one for warm and the other for cool growing