1st large terrarium (4'x2'x2') set up

[spiders_r_us]

Hi all, I have two (1'x1'x1.5') exo-terras with ferns and spiders and I wanted to up-scale.

My plan is to have a native aussie terrarium stocked with ferns (fernarium?). I want it to look like a forest floor with a stream flowing into a pool (reservoir). The original plan was to have three viewing sides, which made for a great landscaping challenge, but the missus wanted the tank somewhere else so it's now backed up against a wall with no background!

When I was browsing through the native nurseries I found a few flowering plants including 2 orchids that should survive in the terrarium (the challenge is to make them flower). Since the orchids are lithophytic I decided to add a rockery to the terrarium.

I hope to house mantids and spiders in the tank, along with native slaters and millipedes if I can find them in the garden + a crayfish in the pool.

[spiders_r_us]

Here is the tank, took up over an hour to move it from the garage into the house. We started moving the tank just before midnight.


This is a shot of the tank after 3 hours of cleaning.


I used the broken old background to build the reservoir. I made some mistakes here (might be due to the lack of sleep) e.g. cutting straight edges and not making holes for the tubing and wiring. Tested the water retention capacity and took another 24 hours to find and fix the problem (it was leaking between the glass (the old seal was no good)).


Added the plants into the tank for a look.


Adding the substrate, which included under-gravel filters, bio-balls and scoria.

This was taken just before I left for the Falls Festival. Mistake (1) took the plants out of their pots when I was about to be away for a week (lucky I kept the orchids in theirs), (2) not leaving adequate instructions to water the plants, (3) should finished with the water feature before planting (would make life easier when building a stream).


Here's a shot after I got back. I've added more moss and some lichen. The fern on the middle left is so dehydrated its not funny, and so is the lily (both have lost so many leaves/fronds).

[beckdg]

valiant effort... the tank looks great. my first thought though... "did he strip out all the old silicone?". silicone does not stick to silicone for long. since it's not completely filled with water you may be o.k.. i'd personally think should be ok. you have been officially warned just in case though.

anyway it does look great... have you considered blacking out the back or making a background. i think it would greatly improve the look and add depth. you can paint the back of the glass on the outside, use craft paper or automotive window tint. i like the tint because it gives the look of black glass like paint would but it's easy to get off.

ps... love that first pic.

[Epiphile]

I'll second Beck on the black background. The tank looks great- I'd love to play with something that size.

I was curious as to what orchid species you chose, and how you're lighting the tank.

[spiders_r_us]

I tried to set up the stream with garbage bags but it was working except for t's ungainly sight. So I getting some pond liner tomorrow at Fernworld along with a couple of little Dicksonias, kanga ferns and a bird's nest fern.

Would anyone like to share their experience and suggestions on how to make a stream with pond liner or how to hide it? Cheers if you do.

My idea is to have the edge of the pond liner tucked under a little soil/gravel so I can have the little moisture loving plants, moss and lichen living on the banks. Hopefully the plants, some twigs/bark and rocks will cover up the lining enough.
stream-idea 1.jpg

I did tried to remove as much old silicone as possible. Apart from the spilling from toying with the stream the water level is stable so far. Thank you both for the heads up and background idea.

Next steps,
1) build stream
2) landscaping
3) install fans (thanks froggsong & orchidboard)
4) install better lighting
5) hide pump (Big boo-boo with the pump and the cord+tube)
6) figure out what to do for the background (black paper maybe)
7) water plants
8) go search for some inhabitants!

[phoenixflames44]

Nice final product! However, I noticed that you had it backed up to a wall... I thought "the missus" said no background. (nice reading you two) Also, I hope your not leaving the tupperware in there. (thing's kind of an eyesore)

Great first pic! ... a little provocative though... (love jumping into a dirty tank)

[spiders_r_us]

Originally Posted by Epiphile

I was curious as to what orchid species you chose, and how you're lighting the tank.

the two orchids (apparently very hardy) are
Thelychiton kingianum


and
Dockrillia striolata


For lighting I'm not quite sure what would be best for the orchids but I get nice sunlight through the day + the 40watt already on the hood. I'm looking into adding another fixture or two onto the hood. It'd be nice to hear from people what they recommend.

To suppliment the sunlight and 40 watt T8 I am considering either 2 circular fluorescent or one 21 watt T5. With the lights on for 16 hour.

[Epiphile]

It looks like you got a bunch of your questions answered over on the OB, hey? Good folks there, and knowledgeable to be sure.

Why not go with a few more T8s? The tank's the right size, and they and the fixtures are cheap as dirt.

[spiders_r_us]

Update on the tank.

Used pond liner for the stream. Was also loosing water, looks like it's from the mouth of the stream. Seems to be some water dripping onto the substrate.

Moved some plants around when I was putting the stream together and rearranged them a little.






I agree, T8s are the cheapest way to go. If I remember correctly I saw a 4' T5 for $35 and I was eying a $35, 3' T5 with a swivel head (which could be good for something).

And now to hide the bloody liner!

Has anyone hooked up some fans through a circuit board? I'm planning to get a couple (or more if needed) large computer fans. I would like to connect them onto a circuit board which will mean I can have one power socket and I'm able to add more gadgets later.

[Epiphile]

You might want to get a more powerful or focused spotlight on that rockpile there, if that's where you've put your orchids- I understand that those two need quite a bit of light, and it's got a ways to travel from the top of the tank.

I haven't run them through a circuit board, but I've run multiple fans on just a 12V adapter. I guess the board would be great if you had more stuff you could plug into it. Would you be able to control it with a PC that way as well, or is there more to it than that?