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Orchidarium, my build

Discussion in 'Growing Areas' started by Natureman, Nov 3, 2014.

  1. Nov 3, 2014 #1
    Natureman

    Natureman Active Member

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    Here is my new orchidarium. I presented this to my Society yesterday. We never came to a consensus on providing humidity. I sent a email to Marty at MistKing hoping he can send me tips on using his system. Thoughts, anyone?
    The enclosure is 53"x 28"x 36"
    My good friend donated an old T8 four foot four bulb (two color). Will have air moving by two 3-1/2" fans.
    ImageUploadedByOrchidsForum.com1415025190.277073.jpg ImageUploadedByOrchidsForum.com1415025225.944256.jpg ImageUploadedByOrchidsForum.com1415025244.432404.jpg
     
  2. Nov 3, 2014 #2
    Carkin

    Carkin Active Member

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    Very, very, nice!!! I'm looking forward to seeing it full of orchids. :)
     
  3. Nov 9, 2014 #3
    Peter Bronke

    Peter Bronke New Member

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    Neat arrangement. Top!
     
  4. Nov 9, 2014 #4
    Dillon123

    Dillon123 New Member

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    Nice build! Very unique.
     
  5. Nov 9, 2014 #5
    spiro K.

    spiro K. Well-Known Member

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    I love it! nice and roomy!
    As far as the humidity goes, I don't think you'll need extra humidity in the enclosure.
    Because the air is (more or less) enclosed ,and assuming you water/mist, the humidity should be high enough.
    What I would be concerned about if it was my project, would be cooling! Unless of course you plan to grow really warm loving plants.
    The enclosure traps moisture, but it also traps heat.
    Keep us up to date with the project!
     
  6. Nov 10, 2014 #6
    Natureman

    Natureman Active Member

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    I plan to use the case for cool growers. So, you're right cooling will be a concern. In this part of the world, cooling won't be an issue until next year. By next summer I'll have at least an evaporative cooler blowing air from underneath; air from outside the enclosure will be blown through the wet filters and into the case. I aspire to use a Titan control to monitor temp and humidity (I think it's has an outlet for lights, as well).
     
  7. Nov 12, 2014 #7
    Natureman

    Natureman Active Member

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    ImageUploadedByOrchidsForum.com1415815677.190782.jpg
    Update: I'm getting about 85% humidity against 60% in the room outside the case with the little filter on the right. I ordered a little submersible pump, and I'm going to rig something up to keep the filter moist all the time. (Stay posted ).
    I added a fan, but I'm worried about enough air movement, still.
    Any thoughts?
    I'm committed to get a MistKing like Mike has. (Sorry, can't talk me out of it).
     
  8. Nov 13, 2014 #8
    Alexey

    Alexey Well-Known Member Supporting Member

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    Nice progress.
    You will not be disappointed with MistKing.
     
  9. Nov 13, 2014 #9
    Marni

    Marni Well-Known Member Staff Member Supporting Member

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    It is really looking great! As you get more plants in there, more fans will probably be needed. They really solve a lot of problems.
     
  10. Nov 14, 2014 #10
    Natureman

    Natureman Active Member

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    I think you're absolutely correct; the air movement in the case doesn't 'feel' right to me. My two fans are not enough. I'm looking for something a little bigger.
    My submersible pump comes tomorrow, I'm looking forward to keeping my filter wet all the time.
     
  11. Nov 19, 2014 #11
    Natureman

    Natureman Active Member

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    ImageUploadedByOrchidsForum.com1416407407.222818.jpg
    I found a ultra sonic mister at the resale shop. Created this in a about a minute... Will need something to regulate it; I don't think 99% will work all the time. :)
     
  12. Nov 19, 2014 #12
    Ray

    Ray Orchid Iconoclast Supporting Member

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    There are humidistats out there that come prewired with "piggy-back" plugs - male on one side, female the other. You plug it into the wall, plug the humidifier into it, and put the humiditsat in the chamber.
     
  13. Nov 19, 2014 #13
    naoki

    naoki Well-Known Member

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    I've been using this for my grow tent:
    http://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-Hygro...TF8&qid=1416420194&sr=8-1&keywords=hygrotherm
    You can set day/night RH. If you can attach a vinyl tubing to the outlet of the ultrasonic humidifier, it won't take up the space inside. I also use hygrotherm to drive an exhaust fan when the temp reaches to the max. The RH sensor could shift over time, and the absolute value might become off, but the company seems to have a great customer support.

    Once you have enough plants, passive humidity tray seems to keep the inside humidity high enough, though. For my 4x4x8' tent, I get 70% day 90-95% night with two levels of 4x4' humidity tray (the ambient is 30-50%). So I don't have to add water to the humidifier much (maybe a gallon per month) except in the very middle of winter.

    Here is a cheaper hygrostat:
    http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009VY1ANM...UTF8&colid=E0YFUUWTU1N2&coliid=I14O503CYJIAFT
    You do need a bit of wiring, though. This is probably what I will get if my Hygrotherm breaks.

    I think what Ray is talking about is something like this:
    http://www.amazon.com/Dayton-1UHG3-...&keywords=dayton+hygrostat&pebp=1416423900299
    I have this for a music instrument room (40%RH), but I don't know how well it will do in a really high humidity condition.
     
  14. Nov 19, 2014 #14
    Natureman

    Natureman Active Member

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    Hi Ray & Naoki,
    Thank you for the input! You have given me some real valuable information.
    I'm having a great time playing/testing this case of mine!
    I'm hoping I can post some good progress in the coming weeks.
     
  15. Nov 21, 2014 #15
    Alexey

    Alexey Well-Known Member Supporting Member

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    I have used Zoo-Med controllers for orchidariums and now they are still "at work" in greenhouse. Cooling mode of this controller thermostat can be very helpful in summer time, when lights can create excessive heat in orchidarium.
     
  16. Nov 24, 2014 #16
    Natureman

    Natureman Active Member

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    ImageUploadedByOrchidsForum.com1416874145.185147.jpg
    Thanks for the help... Installed the new humidity controller (hope to tidy up the wires, someday)!
    I have a similar Temperature control coming and will hook an evaporative cooler to that one.