Its been five days since I've build my first terrarium. 10 gallon tank.
-The 1st layer are large pebbles,
-2nd is a layer of damp dead moss,
-3rd a layer of finer rocks(didn't have any charcoal),
-4th another layer of damp dead moss,
-5th potting soil(Miracle Grow brand), I then added the plants:
-White Anne or fittonia argryroneura
-Fitonnia "Combo" or again fittonia argryroneura, this one has red striped leaves along with regular White Anne
-Philodendron "Silver" or Scindapsus pictus argyraeus
-Pilea "Pan Ani" or Pilea ?? very blurry pic I took.
-Purple Passion or Gynura aurantiaca
-6th layer, moist live moss.
I then realized it was not building any condensation. The top I had in it has many holes...might as well be an open terrarium. Today I taped saran wrap nice and tight to the top. My understanding is that as heat builds in this tiny eco system, the water from the gravel and soil is evaporated in the air causing the environment to be high in humidity and eventually build up as condensation and "rain" back down. As photosynthesis is in action during the daytime hours, the plants create sugar and absorb carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen. At night they make carbon dioxide and then it repeats. My question is this? Do I have the science right? Can it self sustain? Are the plants I placed in the terrarium in the appropriate environment I'm attempting? Finally, where on earth(In house really) should I place the terrarium? I had it on a north facing windowsill, but I realized the humidity was much too low and the north side window was completely cloaked in shadow all day
. I moved the terrarium into my bedroom with a south facing, but not directly on the windowsill. I placed on my dresser about 30 feet away. I've taken photo's at around 230PM Eastern Time in Zone 6b. I have successfully kept my tropical bonsai prospering in this room and it fluctuates between 69 degrees and 77 degrees. Thanks to any and all!
Click the underlying link for photos.
Need advice on closed terrarium and location for placment in my home.
-The 1st layer are large pebbles,
-2nd is a layer of damp dead moss,
-3rd a layer of finer rocks(didn't have any charcoal),
-4th another layer of damp dead moss,
-5th potting soil(Miracle Grow brand), I then added the plants:
-White Anne or fittonia argryroneura
-Fitonnia "Combo" or again fittonia argryroneura, this one has red striped leaves along with regular White Anne
-Philodendron "Silver" or Scindapsus pictus argyraeus
-Pilea "Pan Ani" or Pilea ?? very blurry pic I took.
-Purple Passion or Gynura aurantiaca
-6th layer, moist live moss.
I then realized it was not building any condensation. The top I had in it has many holes...might as well be an open terrarium. Today I taped saran wrap nice and tight to the top. My understanding is that as heat builds in this tiny eco system, the water from the gravel and soil is evaporated in the air causing the environment to be high in humidity and eventually build up as condensation and "rain" back down. As photosynthesis is in action during the daytime hours, the plants create sugar and absorb carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen. At night they make carbon dioxide and then it repeats. My question is this? Do I have the science right? Can it self sustain? Are the plants I placed in the terrarium in the appropriate environment I'm attempting? Finally, where on earth(In house really) should I place the terrarium? I had it on a north facing windowsill, but I realized the humidity was much too low and the north side window was completely cloaked in shadow all day
Click the underlying link for photos.
Need advice on closed terrarium and location for placment in my home.
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