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  • #21
I've never had that happen even when using a 400W halide over it for several years, bowing yes but never melting.
 
  • #22
I really hope that you take this to heart.
I don't know how long you have been growing carnivorous plants. But if you were anything like me when I started then I imagine you are fairly new.
When I first started growing carnivorous plants I did the exact same thing you're doing now. I designed tanks and made 3D models of the sketches on the computer. I stressed over things like how I could provide adequate airflow while still maintaining high humidity. I ended up building two tanks. One is 3 foot long, made of glass, has double french doors, and is able to hold water. The other is 4 feet long with a hinged lid, and double doors, and is made from plexiglass. Both have wood frames. I built these tanks when I was fairly new to carnivorous plants. Now that I am more experienced, and have eliminated some mindsets about the cultivation of carnivorous plants. I see that my tanks are largely unnecessary.
Building a terrarium is a good project but in the end they are not necessary to grow many carnivorous plants, terrariums end up being a prison, a confined growing space which restricts the growth of your plants. Knowing what I know now, I would have suspended some 4 foot fluorescent shop lights over a table in an aesthetic manner. It's far easier to deal with your plants increasing is size when they are growing on a table rather than in a tank surrounded by walls. Think about what I just said. After all, if your wife limited you to one tank, wouldn't it be better to go the tank-less route?
 
  • #23
Thanks for all the input all! :D

D_muscipula, the tank is created and setup and so I don't really have a reason to go another route at this point. But to answer your last question: "After all, if your wife limited you to one tank, wouldn't it be better to go the tank-less route?"

Not in my case.

My wife won't give me that kind of space just yet, we live in a basement apartment without enough room for it and it took alot to get her to relinquish this space that was already mine - my computer desk is here - for some growing space. :)

Also, perhaps you live in the eastern side of Oregon where it is more of desert conditions like me - so if you do then I guess I am mistaken for assuming you have better humidity where you live - but living in very dry Utah, with indoor heating and air conditioning, I can't keep up the humidity levels I need so using tanks resolves that.

I appreciate you suggesting another method, a method I am curious about for a future Sarr and hardy Nep growing space, but what has worked best for me in the past and I am well-equipped at the moment to redo is this tank method.

Thanks though for the input! :D


UPDATE:

Hey all! I did go with plexiglass for now, KEPT the middle glass, and will someday expect to replace the plexiglass since it is only about 1/4 inch thick and will likely discolor or bow which I expect it to.

Also, Here is a pic showing my terrarium conditions. It is a bit warmer than I expected it to be and perhaps a tad higher humidity than expected. From my wishlist below, what would you advise me concerning how appropriate any of those plants would be in these conditions.

I may even have to help tamp the heat and humidity down, let me know what you think! :D

terrConditions.jpg


Please let me know if you believe these conditions are stretching it for any of these plants off my current wishlist:

Larger pots in back:
Heliamphora anything lower humidity hardy and warmth friendly
N. ventricosa
N. tentaculata
N. maxima

Middle size to larger pots:
VFTs
D. capensis
Byblis liniflora
Mexican pings of any variety
U. reniformis (always wanted to grow one, but probably do fairly well being a tropical Utric.)
D. extrema
N. glabrata
Cephalotus (Haven't grown one before, but I assume Ceph would like the temps and humidity level if kept around 25% but maybe stretching it here with lighting.)

Small pots in Drosera water tray on pedestal nearer lighting:
D. aliciae
D. prolifera
D. falconeri
D. macrophylla
D. ramellosa
D. cistiflora (will enjoy a larger pot when older)
D. pauciflora
D. paradoxa
 
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