Fishtank water

[vickyth]

Does anyone else here use water syphoned off from the goldfish tank to water their orchids? Does anyone dunk their mounted/basket-potted orchids in the tank from time to time? I've been doing this for some months now and mine seem to like it (as long as I do it early in the day) and the fish still seem fine......

I have the tank set up right next to the growing area and the benefits to the humidity seem fabulous. I've been toying with the idea of building a small mesh orchid shelf directly above the 35G tank and leaving the tank uncovered (to be lit by the grow lights from the orchid shelf). Has anyone tried incorporating their aquaria into their orchid set-up? I'd be interested to hear of any caveats.
Cheers!
Vicky

[Lene Th.]

Well...not sure if this is what youre thinking of, but i have mine two mounts in/above the terrapins terrarium.
Theyre hanging above the water, and the tank is open, with no cover on the top. The tank is placed near by the window, but is not reached by direct sun. And as i get more mounts, they will live in here too, as theese two seems to love the environement! The biggest one i belived was a "gonner", but after i moved it to the terrarium, it has awakened from the dead, growing two new leafs, and new roots as crazy. The mini has only been there about a week.

I dont dunk the chids in the water, thoug. The terrapin is a really messy creature , and i dont think this water is the best for my chids. I lost the big one into the tank one day, but it seems to be fine, and are still growing like crazy after this.
But i do mist once/twise a day, directly into the tank. But no fertilizer... When i use this, i take the chids away from the tank. I dont think the terrapin would appriciate the fertilizer as much as the chids do...

Picks.

[RoyalOrchids]

Interesting idea. I'm always worried about water quality with my orchids, but you can't argue with results! Let us know how it works out.

[DebsC]

I used to water some of my orchids with aquarium water, then discovered a few snails in my fish tank! Haven't done it since. Just be on the look out.

[vickyth]

Good point! I had forgotten about snails. The goldfish tank doesn't have any, so I should be okay there, but I'll definitely watch out.

Lene Th., how do your orchids make out light-wise? I'll bet the humidity is perfect!

Cheers!
Vicky

[Lene Th.]

Originally Posted by vickyth

Lene Th., how do your orchids make out light-wise? I'll bet the humidity is perfect!

Cheers!
Vicky

I have only Phals in there so far, and they dont need as bright light as many other chids.
The tank is placed nearby a window, and there is light comming from there. And theres alsow a litte light in the terrapins light-bulbe.
But for chids that needs bright light, this would not be enough. I do have a light over the tank as well, but this far i havent used it, as it seems they are getting enough light from the window.

[Junebug]

Originally Posted by vickyth

Does anyone else here use water syphoned off from the goldfish tank to water their orchids? Does anyone dunk their mounted/basket-potted orchids in the tank from time to time? I've been doing this for some months now and mine seem to like it (as long as I do it early in the day) and the fish still seem fine......

I have the tank set up right next to the growing area and the benefits to the humidity seem fabulous. I've been toying with the idea of building a small mesh orchid shelf directly above the 35G tank and leaving the tank uncovered (to be lit by the grow lights from the orchid shelf). Has anyone tried incorporating their aquaria into their orchid set-up? I'd be interested to hear of any caveats.
Cheers!
Vicky

Hi Vicky,

It makes sense that your orchids are benefiting from your fish water. There is a fertilizer called fish emulsion that is basically comprised of ground fish. It's a thick brown liquid that smells awful but plants seem to love the stuff. Your old fish water probably has some of the same nutrients as the fish emulsion.

[lepanthes89]

I have a 150 gallon Amazon ecotype tank ,(soft acid,iron-rich water),and I always use the 'dirty" water to mist/water my orchids.
I dont like waste,I dont use fish medications, so the water is safe, and I figure the plants would appreciate the nutrient-rich water.
So far they love it.

[snow]

in my family room in the basement i have 2 20 gal aquariums and i 10 gal terrerarium built in the wall.
on the otherside i have 4 48 inch florenscent lights hanging under the aquariums on 2 shelves; and i have been using my fishwater for my orchids for years. it,s pretty handy and i hardly fertilize with commercial fertilizers.
in summer my orchids go outside ,but i still haul the water upstairs and out side to water them. i think aquarium snails only live in water. they would die without it; and have not had any problems with snails sofar. no 1 is myaquariums before i built the terrerarium.no2 is the orchid area underneath the aquariums behind the wall. in the furnace room actually.

[Tommyr]

I'd say if your tank doesn't have snails or other aquatic "issues" it's probably fine. I have 3 tanks but never really thought to use the water for the plants.