Building a Terrarium

I posted this on another forum. It's my first terrarium and have been very happy with the results. I plan on building a massive one this winter. it's a great place to put those minis.

First, it is a 29 gal fish tank. the opening is at the top. I started with the false bottom and the walls. I made the floor of the terrarium a few inches higher than the bottom of the tank.

For the walls, I used foam and spread a mix of peat and a concrete bonder fortifier available at any hardware store. this mixture is spread on and left to dry. It takes about 3 to 4 weeks to dry completely.
http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/View...074&p=69134616

I made roots out of mixing mortar with peat and the concrete bonder. I then painted them with 'Patio Paint' available at local arts and craft stores. it's waterproof and comes in many colors.

I have a fish pump that pushes water up from the bottom to a small manifold that 5 small irragation hoses are attatched to. The water drips down the walls keeping them wet at all times.

http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/View...074&p=69134614

I made the hood out of some bamboo I had and cutt slits in the top for heat to escape.
http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/View...074&p=69134611

The inside of the hood has foil glued to it for reflection. I have 4 compact flourescent lights. i got all the parts for the lights at the local hardware store.
http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/View...074&p=69134606

The fan is a computer processer fan I got from a local electrinics store.
http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/View...074&p=69134607

The fan is wired to a dimmer switch I also got at the store. I got a plastic box to putit in.
http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/View...074&p=69134612

In Europe you are gonna have different power but I needed to get a converter for the fan. this was also purchased at the local electronics store.
http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/View...074&p=69134617

I have one open side where the water is visible.
http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/View...074&p=69134618

The whole tank.
http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/View...074&p=69134615

Inside the tank.
http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/View...074&p=69134619

Things I noticed or would do different.

i would make the water reservoir in the tank larger as I add water once a week.

Make sure to locate the fan inside. I had the fan blowing outside air in and I would have to add water daily. i changed it and only add water about once a week.

Spray foam works great for making structures as well. Wait till it dries and carve it.

The next one I build this winter will be huge. I am really looking forward to it as it will be 90% orchids.

mike - you really are a god! its like youve read my mind or something!!!

ive been reading all of the old threads on the gw terrarium forum because ive wanted to make a tank for orchids that need higher humidity. what are your temps like? i really really really (did i say really?) want to grow some dracs and masdes....and judging from the info on the gw forum, a cool tank is kinda the holy grail in the terrarium world.
that water wall thing that youve got must cool the tank a bit, yes?

what plants do you have in your current setup?

covet, covet, covet....

Well, it's in my daughters room. it's hers. I have several Bulb, Sigmostylax, Phal, lepanthes, jewel orchids and a few Pleuros. I don't have a thermometer in there. I suppose it is the temp my house is, maybe a bit warmer with the lights. I would say maybe 75 in the day and 60 to 65 at night.

One way to keep the light and get rid of the heat is to have a dedicated fan blowing over the lights and out. The light heat is the only source of heat the tank has.

When I build my bigger tank, it should stay cooler than the little one which is more susceptable to room temp changes. I also think I will keep the dracs low and near the water to keep them cooler. The only thing about having plants in there is that the day/night temp change may not be drastic enough for some.

Wow, Mike! I don't think I can out-do Kewpie's superlatives, but if I could, I would.

nice work, Mike. next time i manage to scrounge some plexi i'll give it a go, and it solves the problem of what to do with all the flor. fixtures that got left here to me.....thanks for posting.

p

Hey there, can't access any of your photos....help!

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