Took The Exo Terra Plunge Too!

[gmdiaz]

Thanks so much, Shakkai!

Hi Ross! Yes, it may WELL be in too bright light. I will be working on that. But I think the brown tips is from the stress of shipping and that it stayed at work one day in super low humidity. THEN when I brought it home, I fertized it (earthworm tea), it sort of shocked the moss too. . .maybe a strange ph that they weren't use to? I think it will perk up shortly. I just set it in the tank today.

Here is the picture of the fan attached to the shelf. It's just sandwiched and screwed on:




P.S. Susanne, did I mention I was stealing YOUR idea about the frozen water bottles? LOL

[Ross]

Setup looks great and the scenario you describe sounds like what I may have done. I don't think you'll see much more stress after the plant gets accustomed to it's new home. FWIW, plants in sphagnum are in a pretty acid environment, so adjust your mix to allow for that. I use MSU mix for RO water that has buffering chemicals in it. You could also add pH Up chemical available at any store carrying aquarium chemicals such as Wal-Mart.

Actually after re-reading my answer maybe that's the issue. Perhaps your water is pH high? Perhaps the moss/Dracula were used to pH low? Just something to ponder. If you don't have a pH kit (like from pool/spa places) it can be a good friend.

[Lagoon]

It's not a matter of any maintenace thru the top area, it gives away and melt down with the heat from the lighting.
The screens do click in nicely, I agree
The problem for me was the screens are not coated in any way, it seems they dried up from the heating source (I believe) pulling away from the hard plastic areas. My frog tanks got 2 - 3 sprayings per day.
The only thing I can conclude from this was they were not made aswell as they should have been.
Hopefully this is in the past

[gmdiaz]

Ooooh, I see. . .well, I'll let you know.

[gmdiaz]

I haven't been able to find my light meter yet. .urgh.

I am using ONE of the two of the Exo-Terra Reptile Glo 2 CFL at 26 watts. currently in my possession The tank gets a little too hot using two. I'd like to work towards a coolish (65-81 degree range), low to med. light (masedevallias, draculas) enclosure.

Exo Terra Repti Glo 2.0 Full Specturm Bulb Link

I am trying to decide:

#1 Is two of the bulbs too much light?

#2 Or should I go with two or four of the 13 watt bulbs instead?

#3 Or should I go with a totally different type of CFL.

Your advice is greatly appreciated. What do you think?

[Ross]

Gwen, the bases get pretty warm on these so the fewer the better. The base is the ballast for the tube. The tubes are designed to run at 95 degrees F which is why they are warmer than florescents. You could actually hang bulbs outside tank and use a fan to dissapate the heat befor it gets into the tank. Here's what I did for mine The fan is at the top and blows through the light bank exhausting at opposite end. The 4 - 48" t5s run pretty warm but only raise tank temperature about 3-4 degrees. By the end of the 12-14 hour "day" cycle the tank is approx 84-86 degrees F.

[gmdiaz]

I could raise the lights, adding the fans just below to disperse the heat, ditch the screen that may melt anyway and add a layer of glass instead to close up the top of the case.

Hmmmm. . .Thanks, Ross.

[Ross]

Originally Posted by gmdiaz

I could raise the lights, adding the fans just below to disperse the heat, ditch the screen that may melt anyway and add a layer of glass instead to close up the top of the case.

Hmmmm. . .Thanks, Ross.

By jove! I believe you are on to something. Screen isn't necessary for this application unless you start raising critters. If you are going to buy glass anyway, try looking for some sort of heat absorbing glass. You would only need an inch or so of space if you can hang or wedge a 12 volt 3" fan like mine. Have it run only when the lights are on.

[Dorothy]

I don't know if anyone mentioned but one of our forum sponsors - Blackjungle.com -
also sells Exo Terras at a very low price.
Terrariums: Black Jungle Terrarium Supply
Unfortunately, the larger sizes are no shipping/pick-ups only

A road trip to MA may be in my future

[cb977]

Thanks D
I should've posted something about it...since I've spents HOURS on their site in the past few days

By the way, I learned something!

These little boxes we put together for our orchids are only called vivariums if we are going to have living creatures in there! Otherwise, it's a terrarium

I didn't know the difference until I checked out the Black Jungle site...they have a lot of information available besides cool stuff to buy