Orchid Heavy Vivarium - The Peninsula

[Grimm]

Originally Posted by Tindomul

Wow, I love the design! The little waterway you have near the back is exactly my style. I love love love it. I can't believe you have 22 orchids in there, where are they? How is your ventilation? Temperature? Thanks.

Thanks buddy. I’m actually thinking of filling in the water section lol. Due to the high power lighting fixture, there is a lot of algae growth and I do not like it at the moment. I'll try to solve the problem, but if not it’s gonna go. Plus I like the idea of having additional ground area to fill in with more orchids

This is 150 gallons of tank, so there is a lot of room for the orchids to hide. They are all mounted and planted in what I think is the best possible place for each taking into consideration light/moisture requirements. I’m into the smaller types as well, so it will require a high number of plants to fill everything in.

I took a temp reading this morning and it was around 70 throughout the tank. During the day it gets about 80-82 up top, and 77ish at the bottom.

The tree structure actually conceals all my circulation stuff. There are 2 ducts that intake air near the bottom of the roots, then they blast it out from the top 2 vents and across the tank to keep the glass relatively clear of condensation. There is also a ultrasonic humidifier inside the base and the output is also concealed inside the ductwork. The fans have a speed controller, so I can vary how much circulation I get inside the tank. I run them full blast most of the time, and turn them all the way down when I want a cloud to form.

[Bud]

Congratulations! You managed to replicate a tropical rain forest in your own home! I wish I had the patience and the knowledge.

[Tindomul]

I saw your videos, very nice work.
As far as the water algae, have you tried acidifying the water? Add some tannins from leaves or peat.

Also, are you the guy who was making glow in the dark mushrooms? If so did you ever get around to making some to sell?

[Grimm]

Originally Posted by Tindomul

I saw your videos, very nice work.
As far as the water algae, have you tried acidifying the water? Add some tannins from leaves or peat.

Also, are you the guy who was making glow in the dark mushrooms? If so did you ever get around to making some to sell?

I do have some leaves in the water section already, but I'll add some more. I also have watter lettuce and miniature lillies on the surface to try and soak up all the light, but it doesnt seem to be working. I might try a water additive, flourish excel iirc. I could be totally off though, as water parameters/problems are not my forte.

As for the shrooms, yes I'm the guy. I have about 250 half finished ones sitting on my counter. Just gotta find the time to complete them. I wish I could find a quicker way to make them though, because I have a huge amount of interest. All the layers of glow paint and detailing makes for a long build time.

[Tindomul]

Great, glad you didn't give up on them.

[Bud]

Would you like to have some Dendrophylax lindenii (The American Ghost Orchid)? I am sure it will grow well in your tank...let me know if you want some. I have several from flask I got 4 months ago. It is inside a large brandy sniffer lying in a bed of moss...I have ordered from a friend of mine in soFlorida to mail me some swamp water.

[Grimm]

Originally Posted by Bud

Would you like to have some Dendrophylax lindenii (The American Ghost Orchid)? I am sure it will grow well in your tank...let me know if you want some. I have several from flask I got 4 months ago. It is inside a large brandy sniffer lying in a bed of moss...I have ordered from a friend of mine in soFlorida to mail me some swamp water.

Are you offering me a free orchid lol? If so I cant pass it up. The only problem I can forsee is shipping up to canada but pm me if you have had success with shipping before. Thanks Bud.

[Bud]

Its worth a try...I hope the Canadian customs dont trash it. I know it will thrive in your tank.

[glengary54]

Originally Posted by Bud

Would you like to have some Dendrophylax lindenii (The American Ghost Orchid)? I am sure it will grow well in your tank...let me know if you want some. I have several from flask I got 4 months ago. It is inside a large brandy sniffer lying in a bed of moss...I have ordered from a friend of mine in soFlorida to mail me some swamp water.

Bud - Just curious, what are you going to do with the swamp water?

[Bud]

I will water the plant with swamp water and also use it as a pool of water inside the brandy sniffer surrounding the plant to mimic the environment that it has in the swamps of Florida. My Manhattan water is watering it at the moment, but I am scared to kill it...since I havent heard of anyone who has cultured this and made it bloom...It always usually dies on the first or second year, they said. I dont know its an experiment that might work...I also am studying on the fungi that is simbiotic to the ghost orchid and makes it thrive