Putting together first natural style terrarium/viv

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Hello,

I've just tonight picked up a 56G cube aquarium (30 L x 24 H x 18W). I want to decorate it in the european style with everything planted naturally and orchids mounted on the walls and driftwood. It looks nice sitting as an aquarium but I kinda like it standing on end, this would give me the possibility of getting a second one of the same size when the shops gets another in and having them side by side on the same stand (which I have not yet built).

I have a few questions before I try modifying this tank. Is it safe to cut out the middle brace on the top of the tank since I won't be filling it with water? I'd hate to have a 2" black strip in front of the viewing area. The shop guy said it would be ok but I thought I'd ask if you guys think it's ok and actually how to cut it off?

I will make a false bottom with the lighting grid/egg crate but I'm wondering what I should use for "soil" since it will house mostly orchids and carnivorous plants but some small exotics that can creep in here and there. In my mind I could use a blend of medium orchid bark and some coco fiber mixed in with a topping of living sphagnum moss but will that "breathe" enough so as not to become stagnant and anoxic like a terrarium attempt of mine did years ago?

One guy on this site made a wall of dart frog terrariums and I can't tell what he used for soil but it looks like real soil where the moss is not growing, like that look but know real soil get's nasty in a warm terrarium any ideas?

Also, when growing in planted terarria like this (without animals) how much fertilizing should be done? I see a lot of websites saying to let the frogs fertilize the tank but I won't have frogs for some time, if ever.

I see that a lot of people are using good stuff foam covered in silicone and coco fiber. This looks very good but does it have any advantages over siliconing cork bark sheets to the back? Do the orchids and clmbers root easier on the foam? Does the foam/fiber hold more water at the roots to absorb than cork does? Does the foam/fiber last longer than cork does? I'd like to hear what backgrounds you guys use and why.

I'd appreciate any input you folks may have on the first of my million questions! ;)


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[tunachris]

You want to have a false bottom, with hydroponic media or gravel on the bottom. Cover with the egg crate and a piece of screen to separate the drainage layer from the soil. I mix 50/50 soil with coconut husk chunks. Orchids might grow OK in it, but when I tried planting directly in the substrate orchids died from constant moisture. I have had succes growng small mounted orchids on the side of my enclosure. All of my orchids are mounted on cork bark, and do well high up on the side of my vivarium. I mist each evening after lights out.

I have crested geckos in my 60 gal. vivarium, and depend on natural fertilization for the planted area of the tank. I still lightly fertilize the orchids once a month or so. I have grown mounted Pluerothallis in there for about six months with good success.