WIP: Fridge terrarium for cool growers

[theorchidapartment]

As a NYC apartment dweller, I've been limited to intermediate/warm species that can tolerate the heat on summer days when the window unit AC can't keep up and cold winter days when the radiators are going gangbusters.

But there are so many cool growers out there I want to grow! After reading about various cooling methods, I decided the most reliable setup for my environment would be a refrigerator hooked up to a programmable temperature controller.

I searched eBay and Craigslist for months until this beauty came along:



It's a Hoshizaki display case that I bought from a couple who closed their chocolate store... so it's got a sweet history! *rimshot* It has a built-in florescent bulb & glass sliding doors (not pictured).

First order of business was to separate the circuit for the florescent light and the refrigerator so I could run them independently; the former on a timer and the latter on a temperature controller. I was able to follow the wiring diagram and separate out the ends of the lighting circuit (the black and white cords with masking tape; electrical tape around the clusters they came from):



I cut off the socket end of an old extension cord and stripped the wires:



Then I attached the light to the plug and capped everything:



Let there be light!



Mission accomplished: the original grounded plug powers the refrigerator and the non-grounded plug powers the light:



I had to rearrange my shelves a number of times before finally arriving at this setup (I need a taller shelving unit!):



Next step is to need to get the controller and fans as well as a brighter daylight bulb. I'm thinking of getting the Inkbird ITC-310T, which will let me set separate daytime and nighttime temps, but I am open to suggestions!

Will continue to update this thread as I turn this display fridge into a cool-growing terrarium! I'm already thinking about what I could grow in here and would love to hear about everyone's favorite cool growers!