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Post by HaruShin on Jun 20, 2013 9:10:42 GMT -5
Hello everyone, I've created what I thought would be a decent highland setup with a plastic dome terrarium and two 12v computer fans plus a repti fogger. However, the temps couldn't go lower than 25. So I tried making a smaller, more confined space to see if that would lower the temps, but it still didn't go below 20. Here's a few pics of the smaller version: anticlockwise from the left corner is the fan, a temp/hygro sensor, the second fan and the fogger tube. This was as low as it could go without the fogger being on. And this is about 3 minutes after the fogger kicked in on minimum strength. Closeup Sidenote: I'm also worried about water gathering up on the fans, as they might get into the circuit systems and break it. So since two computer fans don't work, I was planning to get a few of these mini-air conditioners from ebay. www.ebay.com/itm/No-Leaf-Mini-Portable-Bladeless-Fan-Refrigeration-Air-Conditioner-USB-Desktop-/151043357414www.ebay.com/itm/Portable-Small-Fan-Mini-air-Conditioner-Runs-On-Batteries-Or-USB-Gray-/281118522306I don't know if they're just another fan or actually are able to drop the temps low like an AC. I can use the few icepacks I have, but it'll be a hassle to switch them everytime they thaw. So what should I do, guys? Thank you very much for your help! Ray.
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Post by H2O on Jun 20, 2013 10:32:20 GMT -5
You're off to a good start but it is way too small. As soon as the plant grows one or two leaves it is going to be too large. I stopped growing highlanders because as soon as they start to vine they take up a ton of space. Growing small plants in a terrarium works really well but 3/4 of the people that start growing these plants have no long term plan. Even a large 240 Gallon tank isn't going to allow full growth. Tents or real greenhouses are the only feasible way for a longterm collection. The being said you have to start somewhere. Z hasn't been around lately but here is his thread, ocps.proboards.com/thread/4370/automation I suggest getting the strongest fan possible because the radiator will get clogged with water from condensation. When I did this I went with a 1/4HP chiller and it worked very well.
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Post by HaruShin on Jun 20, 2013 19:45:40 GMT -5
Man those things are costly! I've purchased 2 peltier chips on ebay to try and use them for cooling. Idea credit goes to: www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3LMnqslbXAHopefully this works, but I will definitely try Z's idea when I've saved enough money. Thanks for the help! P.S. Is it okay to use full 12v on an adapter if I've connected 2 fans to it?
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Post by 31drew31 on Jun 21, 2013 8:26:42 GMT -5
I dont think that ebay fan will really work, better off trying something else. I have seen people using frozen water bottles placed in their terrarium to cool it down at night. Just make sure its not touching or too close to any of the pots. Im sure this gets old fast though and you're better off looking for a more permanent solution. One of our members "robthered" has made a few cooling set ups for terrariums. Here is the link to his page: pages.videotron.com/beast/index.htmCheap window units can be found easily for $20-$50 on kijiji. toronto.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-other-WINDOW-AIR-CONDITIONER-8500-BTU-W0QQAdIdZ496576053N. ramispina isnt as picky with cool temps as some other HL plants. I think its more important to get a temperature drop than it is to get it really cool, even if the drop is from 85F day to 70F night, for example. As H20 said, your current set up wont last more than a month or two. That is a basal cutting and within a month or two will be 12" across quite easily
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