Initial plan for new terrarium

[DesignerofBeauty]

Hello Everyone,

I'm in the process of creating a tiny orchid terrarium. So this terrarium has been a little over a year in the works. I haven't built a orchid terrarium/vivarium before. However, I'm hoping this one will be successful. I'd like to get your input before I put this all together. I have the orchids, terrarium (8x8x12 inch) and hygrolon (wicking medium) on hand. There are a few supplies I'll need to buy: egg crate and spray foam.

Here's my plan: I'd like to create a false bottom with the egg crate. I'd like to have a "floor" to the terrarium, so i'll use a mesh/screen to separate my floor substrate (ABG). The bottom of the terrarium will have ferns/other non epiphytic plants. The walls of the terrarium will be egg crate that is sprayed with foam. I'll put the hygrolon on top securing with skewers or aquarium glue. My orchids are from mostly from Andy's and are mounted on sticks/slabs. I'd like to keep their original mount because they look pretty. I have a few that aren't mounted on wood, and they'll be attached with moss on top of the hygrolon. In between the orchids I'll have other epiphytic plants.

I've attached a diagram showing the placement of the orchids, their cultural requirements, and the light conditions present where I plan to place them in my tank. Here's a list of the orchids:

Schoenorchis scolopendria
Angraecum distichum
Gastrochilus japonicus
stereochilus brevirachis
dyakia hendersoniana

This being said, the orchids I have bought require that they dry out slightly. I did this on purpose. This tank is so small, that I don't know if I'll be able to pump a humidifier into it. I plan on spraying the orchids as needed with distilled water and 1/4 strength MSU fertilizer on a weekly basis. I'm hoping the false bottom and regular spraying is enough to keep the moisture levels sufficient. For air circulation, I plan to open the terrarium for a period of time each day. In addition, the top hood leaves about an inch clearance. The tank runs at around 80 degrees F when the lights are on.

If you have any suggestions, please let me know. If you guys think this will work out well, I will make a future post detailing how I set this all up. I wouldn't be able to get all this information on setup without you guys, so thank you!

[VERN-O]

DofB....I too am very new to orchidariums. I've been struggling to everything regulated and happy in mine (12x12x18).... I too tend to open the door, but also have a fan outside that blows through a 1" hole that can be opened or closed as needed. I've struggled a lot with humidity control. Basically everything looks dry but the digital meter reads way high 92%++. I've verified with another meter to ensure accuracy. Just recently I seem to have it stabilized a little better...with that being said I would suggest humidity monitoring to be crucial. Would love to see a pic of your set up....good luck

[DesignerofBeauty]

Originally Posted by VERN-O

DofB....I too am very new to orchidariums. I've been struggling to everything regulated and happy in mine (12x12x18).... I too tend to open the door, but also have a fan outside that blows through a 1" hole that can be opened or closed as needed. I've struggled a lot with humidity control. Basically everything looks dry but the digital meter reads way high 92%++. I've verified with another meter to ensure accuracy. Just recently I seem to have it stabilized a little better...with that being said I would suggest humidity monitoring to be crucial. Would love to see a pic of your set up....good luck

Thanks so much for the information. I have a "combometer" from exo terra that measures both temperature and humidity. I'm guessing you're using a computer fan?

[Leafmite]

Good luck with the set up! What you need for your set up really depends on the type of orchids you wish to grow. As you got most of your orchids from Andy's, you can always email him with any questions you have. He is really great about responding. I filled my tank up with orchids mostly from Andy's. Ecuagenera helped me pick a few that would be perfect for my conditions and I picked up a few here and there.

[VERN-O]

Yes computer fan but I run it 30-60 min. a day

[Pattywack]

I have an Exo Terra as well, almost two years now. My setup is less complicated than your plan. I do not have a false bottom, no need in my opinion as there is no water feature. The floor of my tank is Leca, about 3” deep, covered with forest moss. The Leca wicks up any moisture and retains it, humidity is 70% or higher, temp is high 70s to mid 80s. I have the same combo thermostat/hygrometer as you use though it is not as accurate as it could be as it is located high in the tank, to the back. I don’t want to see it so I’ve hidden it there.

I have two Exo Terra lights on my tank, no fan either. The passive vents seem to be adequate along with my messing in the tank daily, sometimes several times a day. I’m also prone to leaving the door ajar during the afternoon for a short while.

I spray water this tank daily. The plants mounted to the top at the back like higher light and drying out slightly. Obviously the plants on the floor like lower light and not happy if they dry out, not soppy wet either. I have a large cork “tree stump” in the center, covered in plants. Some like it dryer, others like more moist conditions. You just need to know your plants requirements to keep them happy and flowering. This cork tree stump is hollow, I attached fabric to the open bottom of it and tossed in some spaghnum moss which I spray water into for added humidity.

I will add my mounted plants on the back are still on their original mounts, growing onto the backing which is the original Exo Terra foam background cut down to about an inch thickness. I hated the background, just used the foam to hang their mounts on and added moss between the mounts. The plants on the floor are in net pots nestled into the Leca and forest moss, makes it easy to remove a plant should you need to.

I recently removed a gorgeous Pleurothallis rubella, potted, as it had outgrown it’s chosen spot in the tank. The rubella was a great choice for my tank and grew and flowered almost constantly. It now lives in my indoor greenhouse. It is still happy and flowering.

Initially I worried about this terrarium, the choice of plants and how everything would respond to my care. It has been an absolute joy, I’ve only lost one plant and I am certain I kept it too wet. That plant was a Masdevallia erinacea, I’ve replaced that one as they are awesome.

I hope you will post pictures of your tank. Good luck with it, relax and enjoy it! Half the fun is creating the tank.

Sorry for the long post:/

[estación seca]

That's really tiny. You're talking about filling it up with "stuff" that will take valuable plant space.

[bjmac]

I have the glass tops for my 12x12x18 from New England Herpetoculture. This leaves a one inch gap at the top and the ventilation built into the exo terra tank. I have no fan and with the two jungle dawn lights and about one inch of water in the bottom of the tank under the false floor the humidity has stayed around 70%. I only spray once ever day or two. I have found out that the humidity does not need to be as high as some recommend. Good luck with your terrarium.

[Pattywack]

Originally Posted by estación seca

That's really tiny. You're talking about filling it up with "stuff" that will take valuable plant space.

I apparently missed the size of this tank! I agree, there is not going to be much space for plants. I would suggest using micro mini orchids, some of your plants will grow too large.

[DesignerofBeauty]

Thank you so much for all the information! This is immensely helpful! Pattywack, you gave me a great idea with the leca. The bottom of my terrarium gets 350 fc of light. I will put other potted orchids (pots and all) sandwiched in between the leca. This simplifies things without the false bottom.

I agree, I don't think I'll have much room for other plants in between the orchids. Most of the orchids I chose are micro-mini orchids (potentially only exception being the gastrochilus and dyakia)

Bjmac: do you know the fc output of the jungle dawn lights?

If anyone has any other suggestioms, please share. I will definitely contribute by making a detailed setup post here.