Cool vivarium - IT'S DONE!

Ok... time for a photo update. I am quite pleased with how the viv is performing!! It is starting to fill in a bit and there is a lot blooming. I will have a lot more plants coming from Peru and Ecuador to the Orchid Show in Sweden in September too... fun times!!

We've had a warm summer here in Sweden, so I actually installed a small portable air conditioner to help cool the viv. Works like a charm! More on that on my blog.

If you look at this photo on Flickr instead I have put up tags on the photo labeling the orchids in it. I am going to study the placement of all the orchids now in a little bit more detail and perhaps move them around a bit to the optimal place in the viv. The left side is dryer than the right and it is about 2-3 degrees warmer in the upper half compared to the bottom. I have not had time to do this properly before but I finally have some time now on my vacation.

 

Thanks a lot!

 

Time for another coolviv update...

In recent weeks I have worked on various upgrades and adjustments on the cool vivarium... Now it is done and I am very happy with the results. So here is an updated picture of the viv now... I have replaced my four 80 mm fans with three new fans, Scythe Gentle Typhoon 120 mm1850 rpm - absolutely awesome fans!!! I've also added six more nozzles for the rain system, and a new pump that can operate more nozzles than my original one (I have 14 nozzles now). However, it is a bit of a domino effect (just like in nature) when you change things in my little Swedish cloud forest... so the new fans affected my fog... so I had to figure out a new solution for the intake, but it worked out great too. I also took the opportunity to install a humidistat which controls the humidifier while I was at it. Lots of little adjustments here and there, but it is all part of the fun. I loooove this viv!!

Here is a photo as it looks now. Check out the blog for a detailed explanation and lots more photos of the recent updates... or check out all the posts on the build here.

 

Thanks a lot everyone!! You have seen the progress of this one so you know all the work that has gone into it... but I am so very, very pleased with how this huge build has turned out. Everything works so well and all the orchids in it are thriving.

Can't say I blame you Marni. Although I am a bit jealous of your greenhouse too...

Mmmm Morabeza..... sANGtuary... what better name for it?

 

Thank you very much! Yes, I do feel like this is only the beginning of a great journey. Good thing I finally got a new DSLR (yesterday) so I can document it properly.

 

Thanks!!

 

Thanks a lot Ray! Wouldn't that be quite a sight... this HUGE thing on wheels I mean.