Looking for thoughts/advice on potential terrarium tank

[Jeff9]

Originally Posted by Paul

Indeed. It is one of the biggest advantages to glass



That will depend in large part on whether the addition of 'critters' might be a desired in the future as well as the plants involved I would think. Holes drilled in the top very possibly would not provide adequate ventilation. Depending on the strength of the fan chosen, more than one may be needed.



Definitely



That too depends. I do not have any drain in either of my terrs nor do I need one. If you do decide to do a drain, keep in mind that glass used for terrs and aquars is usually tempered glass. Such glass tends to shatter if you try to drill a hole in it. Definitely check around with places which work with glass in your area to see how advisable such an effort would be.

Well we are discussing a tank for functional orchid growing.
Without a drain or any form of water purification you will eventually end up with dirty water which can cause a host of pests and other problems.

Perhaps, but tempered glass is glass that is heated after it is cut to size.
I doubt many tanks have tempered glass, i may be wrong tough. Maybe for aquariums that come off a production line.

But custom built tanks are just cut from 4mm float glass if i am correct.

[Paul]

Originally Posted by Jeff9

Well we are discussing a tank for functional orchid growing.

Ah, but I noticed that he also posted on the vivariums forum so I thought it a valid point to address.

Originally Posted by Jeff9

Without a drain or any form of water purification you will eventually end up with dirty water which can cause a host of pests and other problems.

After 5 yrs with a 90 and 55 gal .... over 15 with my 10 gal, never had an issue yet beyond occasional fungus gnat issues.

Originally Posted by Jeff9

Perhaps, but tempered glass is glass that is heated after it is cut to size.
I doubt many tanks have tempered glass, i may be wrong tough. Maybe for aquariums that come off a production line.

But custom built tanks are just cut from 4mm float glass if i am correct.

My understanding has been that most are tempered but, I freely admit, I can't remember the source of that info. Also, I don't know that I would label the tank he showed as a "custom" tank -- I have seen tanks of many designs including like that one at herp shows and they are mass produced.

Hmmm, I wonder if there is any easy way to tell whether or not it is tempered glass? Any ideas, Jeff?

[graceangela9]

I think its a best idea of using a terrarium tank for plantation.Though we can grow large plants in it.Terrarium tank is easy and no maintenance container garden.

[camille1585]

Originally Posted by graceangela9

I think its a best idea of using a terrarium tank for plantation.Though we can grow large plants in it.Terrarium tank is easy and no maintenance container garden.

Not necessarily. A lot of people here use their tanks just to put potted orchids in, so that they benefit from the light and humidity. It's hard to do a planted orchid tank, unless they are mounted on the backwall and ludisias and the like are planted in the bottom.

[Jeff9]

Originally Posted by Paul

Ah, but I noticed that he also posted on the vivariums forum so I thought it a valid point to address.



After 5 yrs with a 90 and 55 gal .... over 15 with my 10 gal, never had an issue yet beyond occasional fungus gnat issues.



My understanding has been that most are tempered but, I freely admit, I can't remember the source of that info. Also, I don't know that I would label the tank he showed as a "custom" tank -- I have seen tanks of many designs including like that one at herp shows and they are mass produced.

Hmmm, I wonder if there is any easy way to tell whether or not it is tempered glass? Any ideas, Jeff?

If you look up tempered glass, it is heated to enhance its strenght after its cut to size.

My tank was built custom, i am going to build another myself from 4mm glass.

I doubt those panels cut for my tank are tempered.

[Fishballs]

Almost all aquariums have tempered glass bottoms for safety and strength. You can test for tempering using a white LCD screen and a polorized filter, such as, polorized sunglasses

YouTube - Tempered Glass Test

The other more expensive test would be to drill it... If it explodes into a billion tiny cubes it is, or was, tempered. Some aquariums have tempered sides others do not. Check with the manufacturer. I usually drill the side for drainage. Even though it will grow algae, I like to leave a few inches of water in the bottom for added humidity. Then I raise the bottom with upside down pots and what they call eggcrate(plastic covering for drop ceiling lighting). A ten gallon is too small. You will always eventually want larger. I started with a 20gal, then 45gal, then I added a 55gal, Now I'm considering what I should do with an empty 75gallon tank. Ten is too small At least buy a twenty gallon high.

[lund0682]

Thank you! What a great video - and I love the sound track! Very mello.

I will take your advice and start with something a bigger than 10-gallon. But I assume you do not live in an apartment with all those very large tanks?

[Fishballs]

When I rented I had a 90gal aquarium, a 30gal aquarium, and two 20 gallons. But I didn't keep orchids then. I would overflow them and flood my downstairs neighbors. The rules said no waterfilled furniture. I should have been growing orchids instead.

[lund0682]

Ha ha! I'm already on thin ice with my downstairs neighbor. I can just imagine what he'd think if I dumped a 90 gallon aquarium through his ceiling. I'm almost tempted to do it!

I can't keep fish (or any other pets) because I have to travel for work pretty regularly. That's why plants are cool - they don't need to be fed EVERY SINGLE DAY.

I do rent, but my big concern about that isn't a leaking tank, but rather that I'll eventually be moving. I've been looking at a lot of terrarium pics that other people have posted here, and I'm definitely going to try something of my own. (Thanks for the inspiration,other terrarium posters!) But as I think and plan my own "Perfect Setup" - in the back of my mind is also the thought that things will have to be moved someday. So I can't create anything too heavy or permanent. But it's just one more design constraint. I'm not too worried about it and I think I can still have my dream terrarium.

Although, I'm already discovering that this is an addictive hobby, and no doubt I'll soon be planning my second, third, and fourth tanks...

[tropterrarium]

I have a 24 tall and 14 wide tank, so those proportions can work. As others have remarked the screen top must be replaced with acrylic or glass, easy to get at a local supply shop.

Drain: depends a bit how you water and mist, and what your room humidity is. I managed to mostly keep it in balance. Occasionally, I stick a 1/4" tube down into the bottom layer of expanded clay and siphon off the excess. With your side doors, that will me much easier.

You will need lights. I have 4 T5HOs over the width (14"), running the full length of the tank. This works well. LED lights have come on the market and are very interesting. There are some high light plants like Dockrillia, and some more shady lovers like Masdevallia zahlbruckneri. I just place them accordingly: high up, or under other plants/logs.

Re hood, hmm, I am not a fan of this. I suspend my lights from the ceiling, so I have easy top access to the tank, and don't have to remove anything. With your side doors, this may be a bit different, but the more access points, the better

Not sure where you live, but if your room gets colder than 65F, then you have to add night-time heating to the tank.

Re misters, get the Mistking. Yes, expensive, but worth-while. I went from cheese HabbaMist (useless) to loud BigApple misting system, then finally found Mistking. So while Mistking is expensive, I wasted money by getting cheap but useless misters before.

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