Exo Terra: Tell Me More

[quiltergal]

OK, all this talk about Exo Terra tanks has piqued my interest, and I have some questions.

1. What do you need to buy in addition to the tank? (I'm trying to figure out what this is really going to cost me. )

2. I assume perhaps incorrectly that it's easier to set up a tank for hot growers than cool growers.

3. How do you handle air exchange?

4. How is this set up different from an orchidarium?

5. If you can point me to a place that has steps for set up that would be great.

I appologize if these questions have been asked & answered elsewhere, but I've only been able to cobble together bits & pieces from other threads. TIA

[Ross]

These are generic answers (I have a custom tank - not Exo)

1) You'll need lights of some sort. Brighter the better. I use t5 florescents. You'll need fan(s) if the setup you get doesn't have them. You'll need source of humidity - that's the reason for the Exo Tera, right?

2) Easier for warm growers, but possible for cool growers. There have been lots of discussions of folks setups next to windows, etc. and capturing cool outside air. But, yes easier to set up for intermediate to warm growers.

3) Mine has a thru-wall fan. When you open the door(s) there will be air exchange.

4) It is the same. If you build it to mimic a natural environment as Marty, Tindo and others have done, then the "landscaping" is different. Mine doesn't have any "landscaping".

5) Check the articles on the home page. There have been lots of them as well as in http://www.orchidboard.com/community...ium-gardening/

Good luck and I encourage you to try if you are at all interested. It broadens the list you can pic from.