260 gallon Vivarium/orchidarium

Oh sure, I remember them. His website still looks retail friendly. Link saved.

I'm a former long-time reefer and dart frogger.. Currently stuck in an apartment. I think I could do a vivarium though... You've inspired me!

I love big planted euro style vivaria, but sometimes they have so many planted walls and hanging vines and roots that I feel like I'm in an open grave. You did a nice job of capturing an "up in the branches" feel.

 

I just need to take this moment to give you kudos for your user name, Cischweinerschnitzel. I'm loving the plant geek humor.

 

Hello, I am going to make my first Orchidearium. I have a question for you What type of basis on the bottom of the terrarium should I use? I am not able to recognize on your photos, what type of basis did you use. Would you be so kind to tell me what basis should I use? And one more question: Do you have some system for drainig water from the bottom of the orchiearium or does the water evaporate? Thank you for you time! Martin Skapa

 

Martin, I'm unsure what you mean by basis. Are you referring to the substrate layer in the bottom? If so, I have had success with small fired clay (I'm not sure if you're in the US or not, but I use a product called Turface), but many things will work. Basically, you want something that won't break down because it will be where the water is stored, so that it does not saturate upper organic layers.

I prefer to drill all of the bottoms of my tanks, so that water drains into some form of reservoir, but some of my older designs require me to siphon water out of the bottoms every so often. In my experience, the volume of water needed for misting is greater than what will evaporate out, but I may just mist more often.