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New and Improved Terrarium

Discussion in 'Growing Areas' started by goods, Feb 13, 2012.

  1. goods

    goods Well-Known Member Supporting Member

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    I outgrew my 20 gallon a while ago, but I haven't had the time to build something bigger to replace it. I finally got a break this weekend and took the time to set up something a little bigger. I'm still not finished. I need to get a bigger and better lighting set up and possibly better fans for circulation, but this is how it stands today.

    New Tank.jpg
    New Tank.jpg
     
    newbud likes this.
  2. rtsingleton

    rtsingleton Bulbo enthusiast

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    Nice. There's a tall visicooler at work that I keep eyeballing wondering if they are getting rid of it and if it still works. I'll try to find out today and let you know if you're interested.
     
  3. Chris

    Chris New Member

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    Looks good dude!
     
  4. goods

    goods Well-Known Member Supporting Member

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    Tanner, if all the cooling components are up top, it's a real pain to come up with a lighting solution. The one I have right now is like that, so you have to light it through the door. If I were to go through the process again, I would definitely use a large wine chiller and cut a hole in the top for LEDs.

    Thanks Chris!
     
  5. gnathaniel

    gnathaniel Lurker Supporting Member

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    Really cool, goods! I'm planning out a terrarium myself now, I love seeing other people's setups.
     
  6. rtsingleton

    rtsingleton Bulbo enthusiast

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    It's got lights built into the top, turns out they're going to use it for all the service guys to keep drinks in. Too bad. I would think you could yank the lights out of the top and replace them with LEDs, the lights are actually separated from the cool section by a clear plastic as well as being vented... would've made a good setup
     
  7. goods

    goods Well-Known Member Supporting Member

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    Aww man... that one would have been so much easier to modify than the one I'm working with now. I'll have to keep an eye out for something similar.
     
  8. skinnybonedog

    skinnybonedog Member

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    That's awesome....what dimensions?? I am getting ready to get the 36x18x36 exo terra to replacemost of my smaller vivariums. The front opening doors will really help with being able to take
    care of them better.
     
  9. goods

    goods Well-Known Member Supporting Member

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    It's a 30 long so close to 36x12x16. I've seen those Exos, and I'd love to use one. I just can't imagine spending $300+ on it at this point. I agree the front opening does make life a lot easier though.
     
  10. skinnybonedog

    skinnybonedog Member

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    Yeah, the cost is killing me....it really should not cost that much. Getting taxes back so i think I can do it but it will be painful just in principal. The roommate is getting mad about all the tanks everywhere so I made a deal to get rid of almost everything except the larger exo I have now and replacing everything else with the giant exo which I get to keep in the living room...yay! I will post pic when I get it.
     
  11. goods

    goods Well-Known Member Supporting Member

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    Yea I'll probably build something front opening and that size once I outgrow what I have now. I think doing it that way will drastically cut down on cost. Thankfully, I have a large closet that I keep most of my tanks, so the roommates aren't really bothered by them... and they kind of like the inhabitants as well.

    An update to the tank: I had a gift certificate to a local fish store, so I invested in a new 36" T5HO fixture for lighting.
     
  12. Uluwehi

    Uluwehi angraecoids, dendrobiums and more Supporting Member

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    I admire the great lengths you both are going to in order to have conducive growing environments. Zach your new set-up is looking good.

    How is your air circulation going? Lately I have been increasing air circulation in my vivarium with fans that run from 10am-4pm to aid in getting the plants to dry off faster after watering, in addition to the others I already have running 24/7. The results have been good, especially with Aƫrangis roots now wanting to stick to mounts a little more than before.
     
  13. goods

    goods Well-Known Member Supporting Member

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    Thanks for the kind words Jacob. I just looked over the pictures at the beginning of this thread again and was amazed myself. It's definitely a but more crowded in there now.

    I have two fans "floating" in the middle of the tank. You can see one in the picture. They blow in opposite directions and run 24/7. I also have another pointed at an angle, providing air to all the Pleurothallids I have in pots on the floor. I honestly can't tell you the time it runs. It's on the same timer as the fans in my fridge, so it runs something like 15 minutes every hour at night/morning and all afternoon, maybe?

    Some of my Angraecoids have really taken off since I've made all the changes, other have been re-homed. I've decided that I won't keep Angs and try to "force" them to like my conditions. I feel much more comfortable that these species will be around when I have a greenhouse and proper growing areas due to publicly and privately known breeding efforts.

    One thing I have found is that my leafless species, mostly Ang relatives, love the tank. They're producing tons of new roots, so I'm quite excited about that.
     
  14. goods

    goods Well-Known Member Supporting Member

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    It's time for a little update on this:

    I just got back to my apartment form a week home for spring break. It's amazing how things change in a week. Monosepalum dischorense is in bud (flowers should open anytime). Bulbophyllum denophyllum looks to have a spike forming. Lots of new growth, including tons (inches) of root growth on Dendrophylax funalis, Dendrophylax fawcettii, Microcoelia gilpinae, and a couple Chiloschistas along with many other "leaved" orchids.
     
  15. Uluwehi

    Uluwehi angraecoids, dendrobiums and more Supporting Member

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    Congratulations on such great new root growth! Isn't it a satisfying feeling? :clap:
     
  16. goods

    goods Well-Known Member Supporting Member

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    It really is. I can finally feel comfortable with what's going on in there and just sit back, water, and watch.
     
  17. xmpraedicta

    xmpraedicta Prairie angraecoid nut Supporting Member

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    I can totally see what you're saying. Undergoing similar terrarium reduxes right now and it's nice not needing to fuss over basic things like humidity...lets me fine tune other things like light and watering
     
  18. goods

    goods Well-Known Member Supporting Member

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    Exactly! My big issue was not enough light I think. After I added the dual T5's, everything really took off.
     
  19. Uluwehi

    Uluwehi angraecoids, dendrobiums and more Supporting Member

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    Excellent. It's a great feeling, isn't it? And not before too long as well, considering your heavy course load.

    My vivarium took 6-8 months to really have its main kinks worked out. Since then it's really been a pleasure to spend more time delighting at the good surprises it brings, quite a contrast to the stressful troubleshooting and insane, costly DYI forays of the beginning stages.
     
  20. goods

    goods Well-Known Member Supporting Member

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    Yesterday was an incredibly stressful day for me because I was moving most of my tanks home from school for the summer. I packed up the fridge tank, this terrarium, and three of my frog tanks, and made the hour and a half long trip home. I've got three finals next week, and then I'll be moving my other three tanks of frogs.

    Thankfully, my only casualties were two new growths. Hopefully, more will initiate in their place, but I have to be thankful that most everything worked out very smoothly.