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orchidarium building

Discussion in 'Growing Areas' started by Bronze, Jan 25, 2016.

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  1. Jan 25, 2016 #1
    Bronze

    Bronze Member

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    Ok so I've looked at quite a few of other member posts on orchidarium builds. But Im still undecided. I'd like to build a smallish tank. 28wide x 36tall x 14deep. I have a 4 bulb 2 foot long t5 fixture I will use for it. That's about the only thing I'm sure on. I have a crude drawing of what I'm trying to do so far. I'm not sure on airflow since I've never had anything like this and also entrance of tank. Should I do a double door style or sliding? Should I have the glass drilled for more airflow instead of the slits? Placement of airvents if so. I do have a 70 gallon aquarium with glass tops and lighting I could convert but I didn't want something so large..or at least right now. 20160125_154714~2.jpg
     
  2. Jan 25, 2016 #2
    jai

    jai Orchid addict

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    Are you using plexyglass?
     
  3. Jan 25, 2016 #3
    pontupo

    pontupo Member

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    For what you're describing you could easily purchase something off the shelf and save yourself a lot of effort. ExoTerra has excellent terrariums and they have one that matches your desired dimensions as shown here http://exo-terra.com/en/products/natural_terrarium_medium.php.

    I will warn you that based on a painful personal experience I would recommend that you purchase something off the shelf (PetSmart carries a couple of sizes of these) or have a shop order one for you rather than having them shipped directly to you, though you can order them off of Amazon.

    You'll also note that these help address your airflow question though you'll still want internal fans.
     
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  4. Jan 25, 2016 #4
    Bronze

    Bronze Member

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    Well I did plan on glass...I don't really like the exo terra tanks also they are a bit pricey for what you get.. although i realize my little drawing is pretty much like one.
     
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  5. Jan 26, 2016 #5
    Dave The Scientist

    Dave The Scientist Active Member

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    I think you might find the Exo Terra's the cheaper option once you price out everything it would take to build your own. New England herpetoculture has complete kits at reasonable prices
     
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  6. Jan 26, 2016 #6
    Bronze

    Bronze Member

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    Does anyone have any experience with the penn plax vivariums.size 31.5 x 15.75 x 47.25 inches. 249.00 for tank 100 for freight shipping. Seems decent.
     
  7. Feb 2, 2016 #7
    sharonahmed2000

    sharonahmed2000 New Member

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    I bought a national geographic 36 18 x 18 w front opening doors. My big question is about lights. Tube or bulb? Also any idea of a brand that is best without generating heat?
     
  8. Feb 2, 2016 #8
    Bronze

    Bronze Member

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    As far as I know led lights produce the least amount of heat, then flourecents would be next in line. Both can grow plants well in the right conditions.
     
  9. Feb 2, 2016 #9
    Dave The Scientist

    Dave The Scientist Active Member

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    If you search lights or LEDs on this or other orchid forums, you should find a lot of into on plant lighting.
     
  10. Feb 7, 2016 #10
    Bronze

    Bronze Member

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    Suggestions? Will a 2 foot 4 bulb t5 fixture produce enough light for my tank?..24 watts per bulb with 2000 lumens.. So 8000 lumens total. The tank I have decided to make will be 25 to 26 inches wide ..16 deep and 30 tall? Taller if the lights can do it.
     
  11. Feb 7, 2016 #11
    jai

    jai Orchid addict

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    On eBay they sell LED Light strips that are water proof and can stick were you want them to and have very low watts you can run them off a 9volt battery or wire to a plug
     
  12. Feb 8, 2016 #12
    Ray

    Ray Orchid Iconoclast Supporting Member

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    Growing under artificial lighting in a tall enclosure can be a bit tricky. A 4 x 2' T5 fixture (I'm assuming 24W bulbs) will put out plenty of light - likely enough for plants near the bottom - but will also potentially put out enough light enough to burn plants that are close to it
     
  13. Feb 8, 2016 #13
    Bronze

    Bronze Member

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    I do like the idea of leds Jai but I already have a t5 fixture so that kinda saves me some cash on the build. If I was going to use leds id probably go ahead and do the wine cooler idea with the lights on the inside of the case with glass over it to protect them. Also the cooler will weight a lot more and I'd have to keep it on floor so it would be a lot harder to hide the extra components. I'm still looking around for someone to do the v cuts on acrylic. I don't have experience with it.
     
  14. Feb 18, 2016 #14
    Bronze

    Bronze Member

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    What fans should I get for water durability/ quietness/ adjustable speed? Again the tank would be about 25w x 32t x 16d. Would you put them inside the tank hanging or attach them to cut outs in the tank? One circulating fan and one exaust fan..is a evap. cooler necessary? Thanks
     
  15. Feb 18, 2016 #15
    Dave The Scientist

    Dave The Scientist Active Member

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    I'm not sure if one circulating fan is enough as I haven't had a tank that big, but I would only run the exhaust fan a few minutes dat or leave it out entirely. The idea is to circulate the humid air within the tank, not bringing drier air in. As for the evaporative cooler, it might not be a bad idea. I'm intrigued by the idea personally.My tank runs a bit hotter than I would like but that's also somewhat due to living in a top floor of old building where I don't control the heat so it's very warm. Is there an evap. Cooler on the market you had your eyes on or where you going to fabricate something ?
     
  16. Feb 18, 2016 #16
    Dave The Scientist

    Dave The Scientist Active Member

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    If you search the site, you will find recommendations for good fans.
     
  17. Feb 19, 2016 #17
    Bronze

    Bronze Member

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    I was thinking of using some type of sponge material near the floor wall in a cutout made into the tank. to wick the water and the fans would pull air through it and get cooler. But a drain would need to be in place to only allow the water so high also. I've seen other setups similar.
     
  18. Feb 20, 2016 #18
    Dave The Scientist

    Dave The Scientist Active Member

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    You could use a piece of wet wall material used in greenhouse for that. You might want to use a water pump as circulating the water will greatly decrease the amount of algal growth and actively wetting the evaporative filter would greatly increase cooling
     
  19. Feb 26, 2016 #19
    Bronze

    Bronze Member

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    Ok so I'm looking into a 24 wide x 18 x 36 tall. Exo terra tank. The other was too expensive. Anyway how many spray nozzles would be needed for a tank that size? Also. Should I seal the top completely or leave some breathing room on both side. Also is there anyway to delete stuff I posted that I'm done with or has gotten jumbly. Thanks
     
  20. Feb 26, 2016 #20
    Dave The Scientist

    Dave The Scientist Active Member

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    I would recommend against something that tall. To light the bottom, you're scorching the top. I would get one of the lower and wider ones.
     
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