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Post by vraev on Jul 30, 2014 23:59:51 GMT -5
Hi guys, This is my current CP collection. As many of you know, I used to have two huge tanks, but due to personal circumstances, I lost a lot of rare plants and had to liquidate the setup and plants. I had a handful of leftovers which I have been growing for one year in a new smaller terrarium. For now, this is my only growspace and basically the only plants I have. When a plant grows bigger, out it goes and I need to sell it off. I just can't have big plants. Unfortunately nepenthes have the potential to be huge plants. I was away for 3 months due to personal family issues. I had a friend come in and fill up water once every 1-2 weeks and inspite of all expectations and ironically, the plants actually survived and the tank did great. I am really glad on how the plants survived. Although based on the events that transpired, I would have gladly and without hesitation accepted an overall reversal in my life events.Anyways...here is my collection and growing area. When I started this tank in april 2013: Back in november 2013 Now This is my toolbox for plants. Its normally inside the top shelf in the stand. Full tank shots The whole system Now some closeups N. lowii sg U. quelchiiLepanthes adrianae Poroglossum dreiseiLepanthes terborchiiLepanthes maxonii progression of keiki Overall I think this plant got too much TC hormones. lol. Fewer leaves on mother plant vs number of keiki. I think also a perfect testament that lepanthes prefer epiphytic growing without any moss or anything if conditions are right. Cephalotus follicularis
cheers V
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Post by Avery on Jul 31, 2014 0:53:19 GMT -5
!!! I am very impressed. You have a beautiful collection of plants. I love the Lepanthes orchids. Do keep us updated.
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Post by nwflytrap on Jul 31, 2014 6:40:01 GMT -5
Absolutely stunning terrarium vraev! Now I can add yours to Averys for tanks I want mine to look like.
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Post by canuk1w1 on Jul 31, 2014 8:04:08 GMT -5
Great job Varun. I am planning to get one of these for my helis, they seem the most functional brand with the 2 front opening doors. 2 questions for you: 1. Which size do you have? I'll get one that is 24" tall, still not sure how wide I will go. Ideally, I'd have one per Tepui/region with several representative species. 2. What do you use for cooling? The geek in me wants to use Peltier modules but an aquarium/CPU cooler would probably be "better". Looks like you're putting the sand to good use ;-)
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Post by Maiden on Jul 31, 2014 8:24:22 GMT -5
Very nice setup varun! I had the exo terra 18*18*24 (tall) last year for my hl nepenthes, and i had to change because of the RH%. Impossible to reach more than 75% and i like to grow my cps at 100%(+-) with a very slow airflow. I buyed another aquarium and since my neps just thrive. So you are much better than me, because i had no succes with this tank Your colors are just stunning.
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Post by lloyd on Jul 31, 2014 8:28:50 GMT -5
Very nice plants! I really like the U. quelchii. PM me if you ever have any cuttings or if you want any orchids. Hope your life gets back in order.
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Post by vraev on Jul 31, 2014 12:20:39 GMT -5
Thanks guys. I'll let you know when I make any divisions Lloyd. Great job Varun. I am planning to get one of these for my helis, they seem the most functional brand with the 2 front opening doors. 2 questions for you: 1. Which size do you have? I'll get one that is 24" tall, still not sure how wide I will go. Ideally, I'd have one per Tepui/region with several representative species. Its 24" and then probably 18" and 18" in the other dimensions. no cooling yet...I just have it growing in the basement. Also...haven't used the sand yet. I will be getting a new ceph clone, so will be using the sand for that. Very nice setup varun! I had the exo terra 18*18*24 (tall) last year for my hl nepenthes, and i had to change because of the RH%. Impossible to reach more than 75% and i like to grow my cps at 100%(+-) with a very slow airflow. I buyed another aquarium and since my neps just thrive. So you are much better than me, because i had no succes with this tank Your colors are just stunning. Thanks Francois. I find that you need to reach a threshold humidity with the number of plants you keep in there. More plants...more moss...more humidity. Thats pretty much it. Also top part of the tank is open so humidity is 60-70%. But the microenvironment is more saturated at the media level. So the plant gets used to the gradation in humidity as it grows taller. Also..I would suggest against the tall terraria. Especially after my experience with the 36" tall glass terraria I had earlier. You need a lot...and I really mean a lot of light to get the same colour as shorter tanks. So...try the exo terra "low" line of terraria. They are definitely more suited for our purposes.
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Post by canuk1w1 on Jul 31, 2014 13:31:03 GMT -5
Thanks for that Varun. I'm concerned about the height to which some the Helis may grow, especially if they flower. I'm reckoning 2" (max) of substrate (moss + grate, maybe some peat) + 6" for the pot. With a 24" tank there's plenty of room for the pitchers but the flower stalks could be cramped. Very nice setup varun! I had the exo terra 18*18*24 (tall) last year for my hl nepenthes, and i had to change because of the RH%. Impossible to reach more than 75% and i like to grow my cps at 100%(+-) with a very slow airflow. I buyed another aquarium and since my neps just thrive. So you are much better than me, because i had no succes with this tank Your colors are just stunning. If you still have it I will buy it from you, this is the model I am planning to order. The 24" wide model (same height) costs another $120. For that premium, it'd be better to have several smaller tanks. It would also protect against a disease taking out all my plants in the one tank.
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Post by Maiden on Jul 31, 2014 13:48:02 GMT -5
Vraev i have many old aquariums, i can use my sunblaster t5 over them with a glass.
This is what is best for my needs right now. Anyway i grow only small helis and neps, for that reason. Big plants just dont fit in my setup.
Canuk1w1 its sold already :/
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Post by vraev on Jul 31, 2014 13:52:07 GMT -5
With regards to an aquarium... I found the exo terra glass is a pretty decent quality with great clarity. I was also planning on perhaps grabbing a low/wide ADA tank to make a second tank setup for seeds and new plants. But that means more light fixtures and more mess...so haven't gotten around to it. I personally prefer a single setup with everything in it. But yeah..that can also mean easy pest/disease transmission.
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Post by H2O on Jul 31, 2014 14:33:38 GMT -5
Beautiful terrarium, excellently done for what space you have. Have you flowered the Utric yet?
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Post by vraev on Jul 31, 2014 14:36:55 GMT -5
Beautiful terrarium, excellently done for what space you have. Have you flowered the Utric yet? Haha! not yet. Although I hoped it would. Especially since the terrarium (inadvertently) went through a cycle of increased light period and low temps...but I guess I need to thoroughly set up a summer/winter conditions in order to get them to flower. Not to mention I have never seen spore pods on any of my polytricum or sphagnum mosses either...suggesting my conditions are too stable.
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Post by Devon on Aug 2, 2014 21:27:12 GMT -5
That, and the plants in side, are gorgeous! Nice crisp pictures too. It must be nice to have it in a place where you see it all the time.
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Post by cory on Aug 2, 2014 22:07:21 GMT -5
This is exactly what I want my new large cases to look like. Awesome job I love it
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Post by vraev on Aug 3, 2014 3:43:11 GMT -5
thanks guys. I really appreciate all the comments/feedback.
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