Terrarium/Orchidarium Newbie

[yaffle]

I've got an old fish tank, measurements:

1 foot high, 1 foot wide and 2 feet wide.

How would I go about setting up an orchidarium and what plants would be suitable for growing in an aquarium this size in the UK?

Many Thanks,

yaffle

[Ross]

Doesn't matter whether you are in UK or not (that's the beauty of orchidariums!) That's pretty small. You need to consider a couple things: light (how will you light this to give your orchids the light they need - 10,000 lux min.) then you have to consider how you will heat/cool the tank. Are you able to provide intermediate temps, or something cooler or warmer? After you determine these, then you can check for which species you are best able to grow. As a starter, check Andy's Orchids (simply because it has a great search engine) under "power search". Try variations of temps and light to see what you might be able to provide. Good luck in your setup and keep us informed.

[yaffle]

I've got a fluro tube in the hood of the tank and the temps would probably be pretty cool as my house isn't centrally heated so in the winter temps would get down to around 10 celsius minimum and about 20 max in summer. I'd be looking not to have to heat the tank if possible...

Thanks,

yaffle

[Ross]

I'd say Pleuros, Dracs or even Maxilarias. None of these need really high light (like sunlight) just strong tubes like t5's. All of them will benefit from extra humidity. A wet spong would do it, if you have a good top on the tank. You're looking for like 50+ % humidity.

[ChrisJGreen]

Get a chiloshista.
I have a small terrarium placed next to a white wall, next to a radiator, next to the window. I have potted phalaenoppsis' placed on top and hung above them i have various cool orchids mounted on bark... when i mist the mounted orchids/water the phal's. excess water drips through the ventilation gaps in the terrarium lid, down onto the bark in the bottom of the terrarium. Plus i spray my chiloshista & ghost's. in the mornings.
Fun!
I am going to get a small (vivarium) heat mat for in winter. I don't want heat to go down, so i will place under the terrarium so the heat will raise the humidity