Considering buying a Zoo Med Naturalistic Terarium

[Paul Mc]

I am thinking about buying a Zoo Med Naturalistic Terrarium 12x12x18 or 18x18x24 for a collection of cool tolerant/intermediate mini orchids. I had originally thought I'd buy an exo-terra, but they are way expensive in comparison!

Does anyone see any downsides to using a Zoo Med Naturalistic Terrarium for orchids?

When I looked at it, the top was a screen mesh so I'm guessing based upon what I've been reading that I would need to remove the mesh and put glass or something similar on the top to hold in humidity.

The other issue I see is how do I get air movement if the top is covered? I'm hoping to maintain the temperature between 65 and 75 degrees in there and I'm not sure how to do that. I am currently using the smallest computer fan I could find for a 3 gallon tank which does have great airflow for that tank, but it probably would not be enough for a larger tank.

In relation to the last question, where are you supposed to put the fans?

Also, I do not have the slightest clue how I would custom build a mountain/forest type backwall for this. Any how to website information would be greatly appreciated. I need the terrarium to be as light as possible though.

I currently have an exo-terra fogger that I would put the hose on the top and let the fog roll down from the top. I am not currently thinking I would have a water feature, but that might change as I know bodies of water increase RH.

Has anyone used those computer cooling pads to cool a terrarium with any success? What about a tank the size I'm considering?

[Tindomul]

Originally Posted by Paul Mc

I am thinking about buying a Zoo Med Naturalistic Terrarium 12x12x18 or 18x18x24 for a collection of cool tolerant/intermediate mini orchids. I had originally thought I'd buy an exo-terra, but they are way expensive in comparison!

I like these, have not used them because I don't like the sizes they offer, I end up building my own.

Originally Posted by Paul Mc

Does anyone see any downsides to using a Zoo Med Naturalistic Terrarium for orchids?

No.

Originally Posted by Paul Mc

When I looked at it, the top was a screen mesh so I'm guessing based upon what I've been reading that I would need to remove the mesh and put glass or something similar on the top to hold in humidity.

Thats right, you will have to play with how much screening you want to keep so that there is enough ventilation. Also you could use computer fans to create sufficient air movement.

Originally Posted by Paul Mc

In relation to the last question, where are you supposed to put the fans?

You could hang them near the top. You can also put some fans outside the tank just under the lights. Their purpose would be to ensure that the lights don't contribute as much heat as they would otherwise.

Originally Posted by Paul Mc

Also, I do not have the slightest clue how I would custom build a mountain/forest type backwall for this. Any how to website information would be greatly appreciated. I need the terrarium to be as light as possible though.

There are lots of ways of doing this. If you go to one of our sister forums you will find tons of threads on this.
Vivarium Forums
and
Dart Frog Forum on Husbandry and Habitat Information - Powered by vBulletin
Even though those tanks are made for animals, the plants are huge part of the hobby for many of the people there. Creating the right terrarium for the plants is usually the first step before putting in animals.

Originally Posted by Paul Mc

I currently have an exo-terra fogger that I would put the hose on the top and let the fog roll down from the top. I am not currently thinking I would have a water feature, but that might change as I know bodies of water increase RH.

I want to do something similar in my current, under construction, vivarium. Preliminary tests tell me that the fog will fill large tanks (depending on the fogger and relative humidity in the tank). The key to get fog to fill the tank would be to have air movement.

Originally Posted by Paul Mc

Has anyone used those computer cooling pads to cool a terrarium with any success? What about a tank the size I'm considering?

I have never thought of that. How big do they sell them? How do they work?????

[DelawareJim]

[QUOTE=Tindomul;397064 Also you could use computer fans to create sufficient air movement.[/QUOTE]


I remember seeing a set of DIY instruction for splicing a computer fan onto a transformer power supply but can't remember if it was on the Vivarium forum of the Dart Frog forum. And of course I didn't save the site thinking I'd remember where it was.

It was as simple as snipping the 3-pin or 4-pin plug off the fan wires, snipping the plug that fits into the electrical appliance (cell phone, calculator, whatever) off the transformer wires and splicing the wires together with wire nuts.

The key was making sure the transformer power and computer fan usage were compatible.

Please chime in if someone remembers where or can provide a link with instructions. I also need to do this for my orchidarium.

Cheers.
Jim

[Paul Mc]

I used a 3 pin fan, a 3 pin to 4 pin adaptor, and then got a molex power adapter which plugs into a GFCI power strip. Other than the power strip, I think I spent a total of $15 with shipping included. It took me a bit of work to ensure that all components were compatible as I am electronically and electrically illiterate. I found everything I needed on Amazon.com.

A computer cooling pad was mentioned at the last orchid society meeting I went to, and several people there acknowledged that they used them. But I don't know how they used them. I am suspecting they sit their cooler growing orchids on them as opposed to using them for an enclosed terrarium.

The premise is as follows: It is a base with between one to 3 fans in them. They are propped up from the ground by "feet" of some fashion so air can move under it into the fan system which blows directly up. You sit your computer on it and hopefully you have the fan in the right position to cool down the hottest portion of the computer. They are made for portable computers, and range in shapes and sizes as all portable computers come in various dimensions.

I figured that for the small 3 gallon aquarium I had that it might actually work if I could find one small enough. I figured it would cool the bottom and the glass which might help cool the inside a bit cooler. But I would think it could only be as cool as the air it's pulling in. I don't know about that part.

Again, no one said how or why they were using them, but they were mentioned in conjunction to cooling pots and cooler growing orchids.

[Paul]

Originally Posted by Paul Mc

I am thinking about buying a Zoo Med Naturalistic Terrarium 12x12x18 or 18x18x24 for a collection of cool tolerant/intermediate mini orchids. I had originally thought I'd buy an exo-terra, but they are way expensive in comparison!

Depending on much of a hurry you're in, you could also check your local Craig's list and thriftstores

Originally Posted by Paul Mc

Does anyone see any downsides to using a Zoo Med Naturalistic Terrarium for orchids?

Nope

Originally Posted by Paul Mc

I would need to remove the mesh and put glass or something similar on the top to hold in humidity.The other issue I see is how do I get air movement if the top is covered? I'm hoping to maintain the temperature between 65 and 75 degrees in there and I'm not sure how to do that. In relation to the last question, where are you supposed to put the fans?

Before removing the mesh, you might wish to experiment in covering the mesh. Because you desire to keep the temp low, you may find it beneficial to keep some of the mesh to allow the heat to escape even though this would indeed allow some of the humidity to escape as well. As to how much to keep, that is where covering varying amounts of the mesh would be informative. In addition, leaving some mesh in place would make it easy to have access holes for wires to pass through.

You will likely be best off putting fans in both back corners to aid air circulation.

Originally Posted by Paul Mc

Also, I do not have the slightest clue how I would custom build a mountain/forest type backwall for this. Any how to website information would be greatly appreciated. I need the terrarium to be as light as possible though.

That all depends on what strikes you as a "mountain/forest" backdrop as well as how much work you want to put into it. As others have mentioned, there are sites like the Vivarium forum in which this is discussed at length. Many folks use GreatStuff as it is lightweight and can be shaped/carved. It is then covered with a thin layer of another material(s). You could also use large sections of corkbark though it can be a challenge "jigsawing" pieces together.

Originally Posted by Paul Mc

But I would think it could only be as cool as the air it's pulling in. I don't know about that part.

That would be correct.

[Paul Mc]

OK, so I've done some research and here's what I'm thinking about construction inside this terrarium. Though please correct me or give me any hesitations you might forsee.

First, I'm understanding that I need to clean everything with a mixture of vinegar and water. When it comes to adding branches and such, soak them in water and then put them in an oven. I don't know how much temp or time though.

I'm considering using Zoo Med's Forest Tile background and then later constructing rocks to stick to the surface for a waterfall type feature. I would either use the waterfall kit that zoo med offers or one from Saurian Enterprises here in St. Louis, MO. I think I'm liking Saurian's the best though because it has 4 drip lines. If only I knew how to hand make them, lol...

I'm thinking I would use the smallest substrate divider from top fin aquariums I can find, and bury that in a zoo med hydroballs. Then I would cover that with a substrate mesh of some sort and then add Zoo Med's eco earth to form the base landscape.

Of course, I would probalby use mopani wood and some sort of bio vine and cork logs to create effects while the plants are getting started.

So, does my idea of the bottom growth area sound correct? Would orchids and other plants grow in this Eco Earth stuff?

I've read that the Zoo Med's waterfall kit has issues when used with the hydroballs they recommended. That's why I'm considering using something else. I would love to have a small water feature and possibly pond, but I have no clue how to construct that at this time.

[Paul]

I've never bothered using vinegar. Simply soak the branches well -- I usually do over night. Oven temps of 400F for an hour should be fine. I generally wrap items in aluminum foil first if the item's size makes that feasible. Steam contains a great deal of energy which makes it useful for sterilization.

I think you'd likely find that getting some Hydroton or Prime Agra from a local hydroponics store to be cheaper than buying the same material marketed by ZooMed. Either way rinse the product well before using -- there tends to be a lot of clay dust.

Plastic window screening would be the cheapest and easiest route for a mesh.

You can find heavy woods like the mopani wood cheaper on Ebay than a petstore.

I've never tried the EcoEarth but have had plants (ferns, selaginella, Restrepias, african violets, etc) grow just in long fibered sphag.

[Paul Mc]

Ok, so I have tried to join both forums mentioned above, but for some reason I was only able to join one and I still don't have forum access.

So here goes another question. I want to do a water feature and I've seen people using some kind of clear plastic that they could bend to create the shape of the water they want. I think I want to do this so I can limit where the water is and preserve space and light weight as much as possible. They secure it with aquarium sealent. What is the clear stuff they are working with?

If you go to youtube and search how to construct an aquarium you will see a young kid doing it in one of his videos.

I'm also thinking that since reviews of the water kit I want to get have not been positive, that submerging and hiding it in the water feature would be the best route to keep it running. They say that the pump doesn't work well when you do as the instructions suggest which is filling the hydroballs around it. My way would keep it in the water and unobstructed. I would bend the water well back towards the back to amply hide the pump and tube.

Also, do you guys think that the drip lines offered by Saurian Enterprises in St. Louis is good quality? Where else would I find one or learn how to construct one? I want to automate this as much as possible so I don't have to deal with it everyday.