All-in-one (light, mister, maybe fan?) terrarium setups available for sale? - Orchid Board

Fishkeeper · #1 03-25-2021, 05:58 PM

I'm looking into putting together a low-maintenance terrarium setup. Something where I can top off the mister reservoir periodically, fertilize appropriately, and leave it alone otherwise. I have some fatigue issues and difficulty keeping a steady routine, so I'm looking for a setup that largely takes care of itself.

Are there any setups currently available that do all that already? I've seen the BiOrb Air, but it's larger than I'm looking for, at 20" across. I'm looking for something more like a foot across. I'd like an all-in-one because then I just have one plug to deal with instead of multiple, and because then I don't have to deal with assembling components.

SADE2020 · #2 03-25-2021, 06:28 PM

Well there are companies, pet-terrarium builders that work on demand. Not in my area though, but searching online I saw many. Lots of people that used to build aquariums now are dedicated to build bio active terrarium.

I went through the same ...willing for a full package but didn't find anything. Also, depend for what you up to, because the BioAir seams big and uncomfortable to deal with growing, more likely for decoration or display. Beside, is expensive too.

Good luck with your search!

Fishkeeper · #3 03-25-2021, 07:03 PM

I think those companies usually either build much larger things, or they work more with decoration and substrate composition. I can handle decoration, substrate, background, etc, I'm looking for someone who can put together the electronics side of things. I suppose that's worth looking into, though. Any suggestions on where to look?

I'm going for a display setup, that the orchids will grow and bloom in. Probably with the orchids on their own mounts, but with the mounts somewhat integrated, at least aesthetically. Basically, I want some pretty orchids.

The other thing I'm thinking about is sticking with orchids that like very high humidity, and having a mostly closed container. If I had a container with minimal ventilation, and a fan that only circulated internal air without pulling in much new air, it would stay moist for a long time. If I had orchids that like to be constantly wet, that would be perfect. Maybe a big bell jar? I'm reading up on things that people successfully keep in poorly ventilated containers. Not sealed containers by any means, of course.

Orchidtinkerer · #4 03-25-2021, 07:50 PM

1 foot by 1 foot is not very big so I'm wondering what is going to fit into that. If it is only a couple of plants then a drip style irrigation system might work on a timed pump.

I try to make watering as easy as possible too so I am up to mixing 30 liters of rain water every time with fertilizer and then filling my 6 spray bottles and watering cans.
That lasts me a couple of weeks or more and saves constantly having to mix the fertilizer and check the ph..
I'd estimate collecting the rain water, mixing the fertilizer, checking the tds and ph values and filling my spray bottles takes roughly an hour. Watering all my plants takes less time than this but there is no easy way of avoiding collecting the rain water and preparing it.

Doing it in one big go and storing it in containers helps me do that as few times as possible.

I have worried about keeping fertilizer stored in containers but I've used fertilizer stored for several months and never had an issue. Maybe the fertilizer starts to degrade after a while and is less effective but I try to use all of it within a month and am honestly not worried or have noticed any side-effects from storing nutrient solution for a few weeks.

It makes my life easier although I could not do the same with the organic fertilizer I use for the strawberries for example as that is organic it starts to go off and smell after just a few days.

Fishkeeper · #5 03-25-2021, 08:23 PM

Minis and micro-minis. You can fit a tidy little number in a cubic foot of space.

Those are good tips about assembling the water, but my problem is in the actual watering. I can't guarantee I'll remember to water things as often as they need, or on the right schedule. Hence why I want an automatic misting system. I'm looking around at what people use, but I was hoping maybe there's a setup that comes with them pre-installed.
I found a couple of kickstarters for smart terrariums, where the lighting, misting, and such are controlled by an app, but neither of them is out yet and both are too large.

Leafmite · #6 03-26-2021, 12:13 AM

You might want to check out reptile equipment. They have really nice misters and foggers.

If you want larger orchids, there is always the wicking method (one end of cotton rope threaded into the pot, the other into a reservoir...the pot is held above the reservoir).

Good luck! Sorry you are dealing with fatigue. Hope you find a good solution.

Fishkeeper · #7 03-26-2021, 02:01 AM

I know those exist, and am definitely looking into them. Actually have a terrarium mister lying around somewhere, in pieces. I have to find the top, base, relevant tubes, and the plug-in cable to assemble it. It's meant for another purpose, I need it to keep some Nepenthes happy, but will be worth studying to see how it might work with a smaller terrarium.

I think I'll have to build a system from scratch, but I was hoping somebody makes a miniature system that comes with lights, mister, and so on included.

Hm. I suppose there are people who make custom aquariums, with lights and everything. I wonder if I could commission an aquarium, with orchid-appropriate lights, and drilled places to put the misting nozzles? Something to think about.

Thank you for the well wishes. The fatigue is better, I've improved my medication, but it's a chronic condition that won't be going anywhere. Plus, even if I get it entirely under control, it's always nice to have a setup that won't suffer if you leave it for a day or so.

camille1585 · #8 03-26-2021, 03:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fishkeeper

Hm. I suppose there are people who make custom aquariums, with lights and everything. I wonder if I could commission an aquarium, with orchid-appropriate lights, and drilled places to put the misting nozzles? Something to think about.

There should even be people who build custom terrariums too. I had looked into it some years ago, and found a nearby company which specialized in making terrarrium, mostly for dart frog people. Frogs or not the system is the same, and there were options to choose glass thickness, ventiliation location, lighting type, position of holes for misting system...

Perhaps if you look for suppliers in the frog world you'll find more options for terrarium builders?

Draikan · #9 03-26-2021, 08:39 PM

I think your plan for a mostly sealed terrarium, with an internal circulation fan and misting on a timer does work for many species once you get it dialled in. This is mostly how I grow my plants, and I focus on minis and micro minis.

I started with a mistking and made modifications from the basic kit to suit my habits better. The mistking is fantastic and I wouldn't recommend anything else for automatic misting kits. If you run it from a 5g bucket of very weak fertilizer solution, it will probably last you for weeks of small terrarium misting.

I usually mix up a batch of water on the weekends, dump out my waste water bucket, and don't have to do anything during the week. 2 gallons lasts me a whole week for an 80g tank. If you want more examples, the folks on dendroboard are really good at building this sort of terrarium, they just like frogs more than plants.

Fishkeeper · #10 03-27-2021, 12:08 AM

Ah, back to Dendroboard I go, then! Looks like they've had an update. I was on there years ago, when I kept dart frogs. Simpler plants for the most part, just some moss, a pothos, and I think a phal or two? Growing on a cow skull. I tell you, nothing makes a better terrarium accent than a skull. Something about the contrast of shapes and colors with the plants.

@Draikan I had a look at your terrarium thread, and you have so many lovely plants. Looks really nice. I'd love a big setup like that some day, though I have to admit I might try for a background with a bit more aesthetics, bit less utility. I wonder if there's black eggcrate.
How heavily do you dilute your fertilizer, and what do you use?

I have something in the mail that I'd drooled over before, but couldn't find in stock; Lepanthes telipogoniflora. So cute! And I've read multiple people saying it does well in what amounts to a loosely closed jar, or in those little glass spheres. Seems like all they want is to stay warm and not dry out, and to have pretty minimal circulation and relatively low lighting.