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Heating a Terrarium for lowlands.

nepenthes gracilis

Nepenthes Specialist
How can I heat my terrarium for nepenthes lowlands and that are in pots? Thanks Nep.G.
 
Nep G< what is your setup? I forget?

I don't bother heating my terrarium, the 4 48" tubes over it do just fine... my lowlands are happy, on the contrary, I am thinking of finding a way to cool it at night! (I want to put some highlands in there) but I have all other conditions besides temp perfect, so I don't think that temp is going to be that big of a deal, I keep it in the range of both species, with a slight temp drop at night.

ANy how, lowlands should do just fine in a terrarium with no heating.

If you must heat it, get a small aquarium heater, the good ones that one break if the water drops to low, and then stick it in a glass of water inside the terrarium. Set the thermostat at your desired temp, and keep an eye on it. A cracked heater is a fire hazard, so get a good one, and even then, be careful!

I have also heard of people using heating pads under the tank, though I think this runs an even greater risk of cooking your roots...
 
Nep G.
I have all lowlanders in the tank. thorelli, gracilis, ampullaria, home depoticus.
I keep the house between 68f and 74f in the winter and they are prospering well. Light cycle and misting system are on timers.
I agree by experience only, no need to heat lowlanders unless you keep the house really cold in winter. My only problem is what to do when they outgrow the tank whick I believe to be 6 months off for some species.
 
Okay I will not worry about it then they have been fine nowand my house is always warm 70-85 F My MAIN terrarium is a 20 gallon Extra high type. I have two highlands in there with no heating since the summer The two highlands are planted directly into the soil mix I have in there. My rejuvenating terrarium has potted plants in there with a heat lamp over it. It is a regular style aquirium that is 5 and a half gallons. I know merrilliana will outgrow it sometime in the future but it is coming along nicely. I open the lid of it full during the day to ensure heat tranferisarion and maxium air flow. So with that being said TRhe heating will be only for me in the winter probably when my little termometer in there drops to 49-39 F Thanks Nep.G.
 
I actually stuck a digital air thermometer in my terrarium the other day, at the end of the day it registered 82 degrees... It's in the warmest room of my house...

I have some highlands in mine, and they seem to be doing OK, I think their desire for a temperature drop is satisfied at night when the lights go off, and the fan stirs the tank... it may not be much...

But here is an idea... what do you guys think of this?

THe idea being to drop the temperature in a way that will make my highlands, and lowlands happy.

First off, realize that My tank is sealed with saran wrap. (High Tech! But it holds in the humidity!)

I am thinking of placing a second, more powerful fan up against a circular hole in the acrylic top. At night, I want to have that fan kick on with a timer, and blow hot air out of the tank. Simultaneously, an air stone going into the resivour for the ultrasonic humidifier will add air from outside the tank, running it through the water will add humidity to it, and probably cool it a bit too. I keep my house at 72 degrees. The idea here, being to set up an air flow... In addition to all of that, I could have the ultrasonic humidifier kick on for a few minutes through out the exercise to keep the humidity up.

Whatcha think?

BTW, I think I have about 6 months before I am going to have to start hacking these guys back, when I do, I will obviously start cuttings... but it will be at least a year before I can get a green house up an running.. actually, probably two years.
 
That's a good set up a bit compilcated but good. I might try that myself for my 2 highlands and my 1 lowland. Nep.G.
 
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