Aquascaper turned Orchid Keeper has Questions - Orchid Board

GravesSpeaks · #1 01-02-2022, 10:34 AM

Hello all!

I come from an aquascaping background, which basically means technology is king and pushing your plants to the limit is normal. I also have quite an extensive tropical plant collection. I like new challenges, so I decided to turn a 50 gallon bowfront tank into an "orchid tank" (orchidarium? I am not sure how gauche the word is in the community after reading the stickied post.) It is 36L 16D 20H.

Carter and Holmes is only a 45 minute drive from me and so I got to experience of a lifetime and quickly spent over $200 on miniature plants...before anything was set up. So, I could really use some expert help understanding some of the things I learned there.

I have ordered the following to arrive this week:
1. A Mistking starter kit
2. 5lb Cork flats and rounds for a custom background
3. 7 gallons of the NEHerp V2 vivarium substrate. To achieve 3" of substrate depth in the bottom.

I also plan to use these computer fans, which are what I use in my Ikea greenhouses. Fans They are in a set of 2, but now I am worried they will be too strong to run 24/7?

My Questions:
1. I have a lot of high quality LED lights from my aquascapes, but I was told at Carter and Holmes that they would probably be too strong for my new babes. They recommended 1 bright white and 1 warm white T-8 florescent, to not only give me a good light range for the orchids I place at different levels in the tank, but would also help me with my heat differential from day to night. Heat difference is a major area of concern for me because it is not something I have had to worry about before - consistency was! I see y'all using LEDs on the board and don't have it in my budget to buy the fluorescents yet...so if I use LEDs in the meantime what would y'all recommend for to achieve heat difference from day to night?

2. I also want to be able to track my humidity and temperature throughout the day and keep the data so I can see changes in my home throughout the year. Is there a thermometer/hygrometer with a phone app y'all recommend?

3. Am I overthinking/underthinking the substrate? All of my orchids (with the exception of a jewel orchid I got) will be grown epiphytically. I also want to grow ferns/mosses/other plants to achieve a beautiful, natural scene. My research says that this substrate will dry quickly and also contains charcoal, which should help prevent mold growth. I am inclined not to have a false bottom or drainage layer, as I understand it does not actually prevent saturation and really only limits the growing space in a vivarium. My understanding is it is better to just have a proper balance of airflow and misting. Am I correct?

Guys, I am so excited/scared. I wish I hadn't gone hog-wild on plants before I had everything set up, but there you go. It is hard for me to ask for anything without giving something in return, but I would appreciate any help you could give!