Masdevallia tank

[Wendy]

Here are a few pictures of my old masdie tank setup. Keep in mind that although it isn't beautiful, it worked wonderfully. I had somebody tell me once (on a forum!) that I should be embarrassed because it was so ugly. They were serious but I took it with a grain of salt...after all, how can you criticize it if it works? Anyways, here are the pictures. Very, very easy to set up. Ask away with any questions.

[jive turkey]

I love seeing these kinds of setups! Thanks for posting!

You asked for it so here are the questions:
How is the dryer connected to the tank,-is the glass lid just cut short of the end?
What would the temperatures be without the duct?
What were the humidity levels?

How much time did you have to spend tending to these plants? how about vs. your warm/intermediate orchids?

Did you loose any plants?
What species did you grow? of those how many were you able to bloom?

Thomas

[Wendy]

No problem....ask any questions you want and I will try to help.

The dryer hose was set into a break in the glass top. I dropped the lid and it conveniently broke in just the right spot.

The temps were pretty high without the duct...around 80-85 days and 70f at night. Even though the lights were flourescent, they heated the tank quite a bit.

Humidity was anywhere between 60-90%. I did have a mist maker on a timer in there at one point...it broke after about a year and i never got around to replacing it.

The plants were misted every 2-3 days and thoroughly watered about once a week. My grow room gets watered every 4-5 days...or whenever the plants need it.

Yes, I did lose a few plants but generally they were plants that needed TLC when i bought them. Most plants in there thrived. I had several Den cuthbertsonii in there that grew and flowered well.

I grew Masdevallia, Restrepia and Den cuthbertsonii in there and almost everything flourished.

[Bolero]

Great setup and it's something I had never considered for a fish tank but it's actually a very good idea.

Lots of potential for humidity and a more controlled environment.

Well done!

[Gongora]

I think it is a brilliant set up ,if it works who cares how aesthetically pleasing it is !! The person who made the comments is the one who should be embarressed.

[Tindomul]

I would set that up anyday just to get a chance to grow some nice masdies. Now, that white tube you got there, that does what exactly?
Thanks!

[cb977]

Wendy, thanks so much for sharing and offering your help to those of us that need it
The more I see, the more I think...I need one!

[Wendy]

Thank you.

By 'white tube' do you mean the white dryer hose that is running between the window and the tank.....if so that is what vents the cold outside air into the tank. There is a small fan right below it to push the cool air around and create a nice breeze.

[Ross]

Wendy, I think he meant the light. I am guessing a high output flourescent tube? So I am guessing the tank was about 30 gals? How many lights did you use and how big (watts)? I plan to set one up when I get back home and am gathering all the ideas I can.

[Wendy]

Ross...the light were two gro lux tubes. Nothing fancy...I think they were the plain 40 watt ones. I also supplemented with two compact flourescents. Those I covered with tinfoil to bounce all the light back into the tank. 'Can't remember the wattage but it wasn't much on those. (I'll check later as they are still in the basement) The tank was lined on three sides with tinfoil aswell so i didin't have to overdo the lights....most was reflected back into the tank. The tank itself was a 50 gallon tank.