kath
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Posts: 79
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Post by kath on Apr 9, 2008 20:13:53 GMT
Hello. I live in Nz and I need help setting up a terrarium that could be used to house Nepenthes, Heliamphora etc. in winter, when it gets colder. I have no idea how to start or what to do, and I need to have a cheap way of doing it. Around 100$ at most would be good, but this might not be possible! I don't know. What should I do?
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Post by rsivertsen on Apr 9, 2008 20:22:49 GMT
Kath,
There are quite a few smaller, nearly miniature Nepenthes and Heliamphora species that should do well for you in a terrarium; N. talengensis, as a highand reprsentative, or N. gracilis as a lowland specimen should also do well for a few years, depending on the size of your terrarium, check out the various Heliamphora dealers, perhaps all of them can be grown in your terrariums.
- Rich
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Post by brokken on Apr 9, 2008 22:31:00 GMT
One reasonably priced solution that some people here resort to (myself included) is to buy a large fishtank and a fishtank heater. You'd then set up some stands and put grating on top of it and keep a pool of heated water underneath them. Nothing TOO hot mind you, but enough to temper those cold temperatures that you might experience in winter. This of course assumes that your winters are not TOO severe. As they say that a picture is worth a thousand words, here's one: Not the best around, but I'm sure other members can supply you with their superb examples of their terrariums.
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kath
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Posts: 79
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Post by kath on Apr 9, 2008 23:24:17 GMT
Ok. Sorry, but I'm really clueless about this, haven't even ever thought about trying it. So, step one-buy or get a fish-tank. What size fish tank. I have limited amount of room, so will any size do? Will it need a lid, if so what kind of lid?
Second step. Find some sort of grating to fit in fish-tank. How tall off the fishtank bottom should the grating be? Any particular colour/height/material best?
Next things: I will need some form of lighting. Heliamphora like bright light, and I light will be scare enough in both winter and summer in my room! Also, in summer how will I keep it from getting too hot? I assume I'll turn the water heater off, but with the lights still on will still warm up to much? Will I need a way of cooling it? Also humidity. Will the water heater be enough along with the light? I summer, with the light on, will that create enough humidity? Is there something I need to get to increase humidty? And last of all, I assume I'll need to get a thermometer and humdity measuring thing!
Thank you so much everyone who's helping!
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Clint
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Post by Clint on Apr 9, 2008 23:57:03 GMT
Get the largest you can! I've got a 75 gallon, and it's too small! Even the "small" Nepenthes will outgrow something along the lines of a 20 gallon aquarium.
As for the lid, I use sheets of acrylic that I bought from Home Depot. Don't cover it completely.
The grating to use is "light diffuser" that are put in recessed fluorescent lighting. Two to three inches high is fine. Taller and you won't have to drain the water as often, but you won't have as much vertical space to consider wisely.
Get the best lighting you can. A minimum of four, 48 inch fluorescent lights. Be warned, Heliamphora demand a lot of light! More is better. If you can afford MH, PC, or T5, buy it.
I can't comment on the heat issue until you know what you're dealing with. This is why you should not cover the tank completely. Add a fan, also.
The water will be enough. Sometimes whenever I'm out of town for too long, I'll add a fogger just to keep the humidity extra high so that the media doesn't dry out as fast. Otherwise, I don't use one. The fan that you use will increase humidity if you direct it so that it blows across the water.
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kath
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Posts: 79
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Post by kath on Apr 10, 2008 4:03:26 GMT
Ok. This is what I've got so far.
Step 1:Get an aquarium Step 2:Get some sort of crating to fit in the bottom of the tank. Step 3:Get an aquarium heater that fits the aquarium Step 4:Get a cooling fan that fits the aquarium Step 5:.........
Possibly need to get a fogger. Will I need thermometer/humidity measure?
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kath
Full Member
Posts: 79
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Post by kath on Apr 10, 2008 5:15:45 GMT
What sort of lighitng? Can someone look for lighting I could get in Nz that would be suitable? What sort of fan?
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Post by Brian Barnes on Apr 10, 2008 9:37:45 GMT
Hi Kath...I've been using florescent bulbs for years with excellent results on all CP species. And, they don't cost an arm and a leg either! You can get a basic two-bulb shop-light setup for about 20 bucks, bulbs and all. There are more expensive bulbs, but whether or not those are necessary are a matter of opinion. Regular "soft-white" works nicely. I agree with Clint, Get a biggie! You'll fill it with goodies in no time....trust me! Happy Growing, Brian.
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