Cool Orchid Terrarium

another thing, Atester, for what its worth. I am on a limited space budget, so my original idea of using my 55 gallon tank didnt pan out. I used my 29, and then all of a sudden, it dawned on me - why not flip it on its side, seal off the bottom section with plexiglass, then use plastic sheeting as a removable cover for the rest?

I had trouble finding my cedar, and didnt do a very neat job of sealing the plexiglass, so after i realized this spacesaving maneuver was possible, i decided to use this first tank as a little tillandsia, fern, and half inside/half outside mini terrarium, which is of course also home to FROGDOR - http://www.rv-orchidworks.com/orchid...?t=4727&page=2. So the 29 is my learning curve tank.

Anyway, im rambling - if you realize you dont have enough space - flip it 90 degrees, and create ranging light levels from top to bottom. I'll be doing mine with a pond as well - Pleco, maybe a couple small frogs, and if i can figure out a way to get one - a salamander. I'm going to definitely take my time on this one. The 'want' list so far is as goes -

Schoenorchis fragrans
Pleurothallis oxios
" " megalops
" " scheidii
" " nummularia
" " grobyi
Platystele umbellata
" " ortiziana
" " misera
Cirrhopetalum longissimum
Haraella odorata/retrocalla
Mediocalcar decoratum
Tetramicra canaliculatum
Oncidium diaphana
Bulbophyllum moniliforme - if anyone knows where i can find one, PLEASE pm me!!

Leochilus oncidiodes
Dendrobium torressae
" " lichenastrum
" " teretifolum
" " schoeninum
" " pugioniforme

Of course, ill have to narrow down my options at some point, but thats the field of plants that im considering, and of course nepenthes, and venus fly traps, ferns and mosses.

Hope my idea and rambling was helpful.

Looking at tanks I also found one that was a "tall"...taller than its width. I am not planning on making a vivarium...not until I have enough room and talk to a few others who have set up a tank for Dendros. I want my mail foncus to be on the orchids. I like the flipping that tank on its side idea...it would alow for use of a neat pieve of root driftwood chunk that's perched on the top of the nearby dam...not if I could only find a way to lasso the thing to shore....I don't mind that idea of playing coyboy to get a coveted piece of driftwood...god, listen to me....I'm becoming a driftwood cowboy!

Drugstore cowboys, say bye bye - the new trend? DRIFTWOOD COWBOYS!!!

Turning the tank on its side is a common practice in the vivarium world. There are even online stores that sell specially premaid insert to you can use the opening on top as a front opening with a door. This allows for alot more vertical space for those tall orchids, I mean for tree dwelling frogs or lizards.

Did you find it?? I was out eating my lunch in one of the company's green spaces today, and they were fitting out a trellis over the walkway. They were making it of cedar.... I thought about asking for the bits that were cut off, but then didn't.

Maybe they will be working on it again tomorrow... Do you still need cedar? These are lath pieces about 1.5w x .75h, they would probably work for small plants, or could be glued together for larger plants....

Diane - that would be great!! i have put it on hold for a little bit, but if you know a place i can get it, id gladly pay shipping and all that good stuff.
Could you pm me?

Sorry about the late response - i just got back from the beach.

I'll see what I can do...

You're the best! thanks!

So, I just returned from a succesful boat trip up the Salmon Falls River (which runs behind my apartment) with some really nice pieces of wood. I am currently letting it dry out in the sun before I give it a good scrub to remove silt and other undesirable stuff...it looks like our floods had a nice after effect!

rock on - no worries about pests/bacteria/mold?