My shot at a nano tube

[rollinkansas]

No real plants yet, but I thought Id show the design up to that point.

I modeled it after the pics on Flickr, and dont think it came out half bad considering. However, if I were to make another one there would be things Id change from this one.



The lighting



Testing out how I like the clear tubing on top of the ecoweb




Testing out the tubing/drip system

http://s51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...t=MVI_4454.flv

Moss mix applied:



So thats where I am up to now.

I am hoping the moss will grow in in time for the Longwood Gardens orchid show so I can finally plant this thing.

Hope you guys enjoyed.

[Jon]

Nice. I'm interested to see how well the halogen lights work for you. Please keep us updated.

[orchidkarma]

Nice job! I build one of these too a couple of years ago. I have since sold it, but I am curious too how the halogens will work out. I put in a 23W CFL (6000K, 1020 lm) in mine with an additional 12V spot for mood lighting at night. Worked pretty good I thought. I don't know how long it is until the Longwood Gardens show, but in my experience the moss grows painfully slow... Mine did not look nice and green for about 3 months. But, the better the lighting the faster it grows. ...and beware of fungus gnats, they can really do a number on the moss bed...

[Alexis]

Looks neat. I'd like to try one of these sometime. Please post more pics as it develops.

[harrywitmore]

I'm curious. How did you keep the temperature down with the light hanging down in the enclosure? I noticed the thermometer looks to be about 26C/78F.

Originally Posted by orchidkarma

Nice job! I build one of these too a couple of years ago. I have since sold it, but I am curious too how the halogens will work out. I put in a 23W CFL (6000K, 1020 lm) in mine with an additional 12V spot for mood lighting at night. Worked pretty good I thought. I don't know how long it is until the Longwood Gardens show, but in my experience the moss grows painfully slow... Mine did not look nice and green for about 3 months. But, the better the lighting the faster it grows. ...and beware of fungus gnats, they can really do a number on the moss bed...

[Ray]

SEPOS/Longwood is just two weeks away, so it seems doubtful it'll be ready by then, but that shouldn't stop you from stocking up in advance.

If anyone will be there on Friday, March 26, I'll be working the info booth that afternoon, so stop by and say Hi.

[harrywitmore]

Originally Posted by Ray

SEPOS/Longwood is just two weeks away, so it seems doubtful it'll be ready by then, but that shouldn't stop you from stocking up in advance.

If anyone will be there on Friday, March 26, I'll be working the info booth that afternoon, so stop by and say Hi.

I think 2 weeks is maybe a bit ambitious. I sent Mike the mix and I used the same thing on a couple of enclosures I have and both had very good growth after a month. 2 months and it looks really good. I'm not sure why you would not want to plant it without the moss growing in though.

[orchidkarma]

I'm curious. How did you keep the temperature down with the light hanging down in the enclosure? I noticed the thermometer looks to be about 26C/78F.

Actually, I did not have to. I wanted temps between 26-28 C for warm growers so it was perfect for me. I did not have any heat sources other than the light, with ambient room temp of around 21 C the temp inside the viv stayed good. Those CFL's do not run very hot. I also made a hole in the top right behind where the fan was mounted to pull in air from the outside since RH maxed out at 100% otherwise, perhaps this helped to cool things down too? Having the light inside might not have been the optimal solution, but I promised to keep the gear contained inside the unit since I kept it in the livingroom (had to look tidy).

[harrywitmore]

That's interesting. I would expect 1 CFL to heat it much warmer than that. I have them on the outside and they get hotter than that. Looked great though!

[rollinkansas]

Im considering running LEDs. The point to this tube was to grow my intermediate miniatures, however even with a fan, you guys are right that the temps may be too warm.

The problem with LEDs is that there are so many different kinds and varieties that I am not sure what will work best for this type of application.

[rollinkansas]

First round of planting done, added some extra minis I had laying around. So far on it are Bulbophyllum alagense small form, Platystele jungermannioides, Encyclia sp, Pleurothallis sp. Peru, and Trichosalpinx chamaelepanthes.

Should have a bunch more to add after this Longwoods show this weekend.

Some of the minis before mounting on the tube


And some shots of the tube...the moss is already starting to grow little by little.

[Alexis]

Lookin' good! Have fun filling that sucka up with little minis!