How to build a highland terrarium
 

Hi everyone

For now i only have 1 highland nep and its a N ventricosa and theres not much of a need to give it highland conditions since a very hardy nep......But later i think i will wanna get maybe a couple of highland neps.......Now i use a styrofoam box for my N ventricosa at night....What i do is i place my N ventricosa at on of the corners of the box and on the other side i put a cloth..After that i place about 3 frozen bottles and leave there....I put the cover over it about 3/4 close and leave it a little open...

What i was recently planning was something where i don't have to take the box in and out every night...I want to grow this indoor in the closed styrofoam box....And also use aquarium lights on top of it...which means i guess it will be in a secluded place of my house...I will cut a square/rectangle hole on the cover and cover it with something transparent so that the light can come in..Anyone gets a picture of what i'm trying to do??? If i spray it with cold water will it be cold inside still???? Because when i use the frozen bottle method temp goes down to 10-15C which is almost perfect for highland neps http://s1.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

If i just use cold water i don't think it might go down that low but i just want it to be low enough at least below 20C... Can anyone help me?? I wont be doing it until i first of all save up the money for the lighting....Just saying i intend to grow it the whole time there without bringing stuff in and out.

Ken

Re: How to build a highland terrarium
 

Hi Ken,

If I were to build a highland terrarium, this will be my design. I am basing on a 48"x24"x24 external tank with an internal 36"x20"x21 internal display tank.

The display capacity will be 330.3 litres.
The water volume will be approximately 137 litres/

Since the water capacity is small the glass required need not be thick and the chiller required need not be big too. The chiller will cost around RM800-900. The chiller will cool the water and hence the display tank to 20°C or less.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...hilledtank.jpg

You can scale the tank size up or down. Of course the larger the better.

Choong

Re: How to build a highland terrarium
 

Hi Choong

Thanks for the detailed scale of the terrarium........Really aprreciated it...

Not that i don't like it or anything..I intend to do something as cheap and as simple as possible.I just wanna use the styrofoam box which i already have...Now its just how do i maintain the neps inside and what do i do???

Ken

Re: How to build a highland terrarium
 

Well, I think one ice bottle is sufficient, since you do not want the temperature to go that low. Whats more, one ice bottle will not cool the environment that fast, so it kinda mimics the HL neps environment. Don't forget that when your neps get big, a styrofoam box won't work, cause it unless it is the size of an aquarium.......:laugh::laugh:

On the other hand, you could leave the styrofoam box cover open during the day and leave an ice bottle there. It will ensure that your nep doesn't die out of lack of light and also saves up money, you will not need to buy grow lights. Unless you are growing super highlanders, it won't be neccesary to grow in such a cool environment.

Or, like what Fauzi told me to do, since I want to keep my cephalotus and (Secret Nepenthes) cold, you could use perlite and lay it at the bottom of the styrofoam box. Punch a hole at the side of the styrofoam box so that excess water can drain out. The perlite will work as a cooler and it will also keep the ice bottle frozen longer. Currently, I am using a bucket where I fill up with water, then I put my cephalotus and (Secret Nepenthes) pot in it. I keep it near the brightest place of my house and in the night, I put two ice bottles in the bucket. I am not sure how cold it gets, but I think around 20-22 C, my (Secret Nepenthes) is more close to the water level. It was quite a cheap set up, only cost RM20+.

Cheers

Re: How to build a highland terrarium
 

Hi Ed

Well I have no space outside so im not growing it outside instead it'll probally be indoors....So i need to use artificial lightings....Yeah i noe what fauzi does for his HL terrarium....Well so i guess i can copy that can i?? lol.........Okay first things first where do i get perlite haha

Ken

Re: How to build a highland terrarium
 

and BTW Ed whats the secret hehehe....So secret that no one can know?

Ken

Re: How to build a highland terrarium
 

Yeah, you can use that tactic. Its ok, no problem, Fauzi doesn't mind.

What I mean, is grow your neps near a window with the maximum sunlight coming in. I put my setup at the sliding door of my balcony.

I will reveal to you guys about the (Secret Nepenthes) at the end of December. Hehehehe.....only Fauzi and David knows.....plus, I want to see it make some development.....

Cheers

Re: How to build a highland terrarium
 

Well my living room is the nearest to the balcony so i can't put it beside the sliding door...I was thinking bout the toilet but also to little light i think....and also too wet..

So thats why i came to a conclusion...to get artificial lights.....Anyone knows where to get some for cheap prices and also where to get perlite??

Ken

Re: How to build a highland terrarium
 

Choong,
Very interesting setup Choong, thanks for sharing. I was thinking of a similar setup by using water to chill the terrarium but from different perspective. Instead of using the "immerse" style, I was thinking of the "drip method". Chilled water will be channel and flow along the inner tank walls (like a wall of water) except for the front viewing side, then I'll put styrofoam or similar heat insulating material in between the inner tank and outer tank leaving only the front viewing part visible. I was considering this method because humidity can be kept at high level at all time. Then again, for intermediate/HL species, would high humidity level be essential for good growth? I got not idea since I've yet to keep any true HL only species.

What's your view on this Choong? Thanks again for sharing, your design seems very efficient.

Re: How to build a highland terrarium
 

FYI, normally chiller is use to cool tanks to 24/25'c. If need to hit the target --> 20'c in the inner tank. You need to set the chiller to 20'c or lower!!! Then, yours electric bill will give you a shock!!!! Think twice, ya!!!! :(

Re: How to build a highland terrarium
 

Boo!!! Coolers

Go!!!! Ice bottles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well i measured the temp of 2ice bottles in an odinary stylofoam size boxed and leave it about a little less than half open and it stays at 18C the whole night but if i add in 1 more bottle it goes down to 14C the whole night....All the bottles are 500ml..

Ken

Re: How to build a highland terrarium
 

Cpnut,

My way means the water stays clear from the plants and pots. That way the water remains clean without filtering - maybe algae will not grow since there are no nutrient.

The water flowing down the walls has two faults:
1) The water will get dirty through the contact of pots and media.
2) Believe me your plants can get pretty wet. I used to have a small terrarium filled with an inch of water. The plants sit on those grated plastic (used for under gravel filter). I have an ultrasonic mist generator (UMG) to generate mist. The plants close to the UMG got really wet from the spills.

Highlanders like wet environment. If you have stayed at Cameron Highlands/Genting Highlands, you will notice the grass are very wet in the morning. In the highlands you also have rain a few times a day. And if the rain don't provide the high humidity, the mist does.

KC,
The volume of water needed chilling is small. So a lower temperature can be achieved.

Choong

Re: How to build a highland terrarium
 

I find that a HL terrarium like yours, Choong is a little too expensive for me. However, I must say that it looks efficient and good. Too bad my parents doesn't like me to INCREASE the electric bill no matter whatever.

Ken, perlite can be acquired from Ace Hardware stores. The other day, I was asking David where to buy peat moss and perlite. You can go to Ikano Power Center or Mid Valley to find the Ace Hardware shop. I am going to mid valley this sunday.

Cheers

Re: How to build a highland terrarium
 

Ikano power centre also can get????? What does the shop look like???? Orange board???? So what do they call it??? Just ask for perlite?

Ken

Re: How to build a highland terrarium
 

As far as i know,HL neps likes a lot of humidity.Almst above 70% for all.But if you are having problem increasing the temperature,then the humidity must be very high for the plants to do well.

As what Edward said,you can grow the plant in a styrofoam box when it's small but thuink about what will happen if the plant get bigger so that's why id on't want an aquarium or any other small things to become a terrarium for my plants.

I took the drink fridge from my dad's shop and now waiting for the plants to arrive.
This fridge is 3 door so it's very big and good for my large growing species..etc; rajah.

Re: How to build a highland terrarium
 

Not, bad, Ali! I hope it will work.......

The name of the shop is Ace Hardware, kenneth. You will have to go to the gardening section.

I spray mist my ceph and (Secret Nepenthes) 4 times everyday. 2 times ice water and 2 times normal water. Plus I have water in the bucket which will increase humidity.

Cheers

Re: How to build a highland terrarium
 

Here's how my setup looks like.

https://forum.petpitcher.net/attachme...1&d=1227852750

In the nightime, I put two ice bottles next to both my CPs.

If there are any comments, I would gladly accept it!

Cheers

Re: How to build a highland terrarium
 

Choong,

You have a point there, the algae problem is also my first concern. Using your method, even the water has no contact with the inner tank, I think algae will still develop if the light source is strong enough, I think it's just a matter of time before you have to add filter and/or start scraping the glass walls... :laugh: Algae will develop no matter what, provided there's a bright light source (unless the water is sterile and have no contact with air), I also got some experience from planted tank before.

Since we're discussing this topic, how about using a mini bar fridge to cool the terrarium? Electric bill will probabaly not be too expensive or will it?

Ken & Edward,
The cooler box method will work for short term, but can you guys keep on doing this for years to come?? Day after day? What would you do when the collectons and plants got bigger? :smile: So soonner or later, if you plan to grow HL neps, you'll need a chilled terrarium... :laugh:.

Re: How to build a highland terrarium
 

I have personal plans with my family, which will solve all problems should my plants grow as big as a rajah or elephant.

Cheers

Re: How to build a highland terrarium
 

Hi Edward

Thanks for the help on the store.............And also Ali wish you all the luck with ur fridge.......Excited on the new nep.....I guessed some of them already if i got it right please tell me hahaha (i'll keep the secret don't worry heheh)

Hi Cpnut

Well yeah stuff like this will work for max a couple of years maybe 2? There are some ideads from other forums which are more space conserving and can definitly keep a nep for almost forever.....Just that you need to cut it down every 4-5years??? Its by a guy name CarnivorousNoob check out his terrarium......

Heres the link to the page
http://pitcherplants.proboards34.com...ay&thread=6849

Ken

Re: How to build a highland terrarium
 

Just to add something anyone knows any compact highland species which are very tolerant????

Ken

Re: How to build a highland terrarium
 

If you ra elooking for a smaller species than glabrata or gymnamphora will be the candidates.

Re: How to build a highland terrarium
 

Well yeah some small species which is not all the time the pitchers i mean the stem and stuff like that...I was also thinking bout a HL veitchii but a little expensive........Something cheap hahaha hard to find cheap and nice eh..

Ken

Re: How to build a highland terrarium
 

Nep alata is an easy plant to grow. Why don't you grow it?

It doesn't get VERY big.

Cheers

Re: How to build a highland terrarium
 

Hi Ed

Only some form of N alata are compact growers......Some are like butcase growers.....N ventricosa is also a compact grower but once it strats vining it takes off very fast....

My dad kinda didn't let me build my terrarium until today he told me there will be kinda a secluded place where i can put my terrarium there....

This is the measuremnt of my box i am putting it in a taller position well i just turn it the other way(you get what i mean right?)

Anyways it has about a length of 13"=33cm It goes around 12"= 31/5cm deep and its height is around 17.3"=44cm

So i do that because i prefer height than space ;D.................

Ken

Re: How to build a highland terrarium
 

Well thinking about it i guess i should put it in a more spacious position instead of height................

Ken

Re: How to build a highland terrarium
 

Hi
Just to give a measurement of my terrarium which i am planning to do..........
Height 33-34cm
Length 43cm
Width 32cm
So at this height will it be able to hold neps for at least a year or 2????????????????? And about how many neps will i be able to get?

Ken

Re: How to build a highland terrarium
 

4 post by myself alone???? Looks like i'm taling to myself............

Anyways i've done my terrarium already fill it about 1-2" of perlite and still have one more packet to go........I will post my pics as soon as possible........You have to look at it hahaha.............Perlite can be used as a a part of a media for neps rite?

Ken

Re: How to build a highland terrarium
 

Erm, kenneth, do you want to grow only one nepenthes? Or more than three?

Perlite is a good mix for neps. Helps their roots cool and aerate the media. Actually, perlite is like the best air circulating media for all CPs.

And it is so light, I can buy 20 bags, and I won't feel a thing.......lol

Cheers

Re: How to build a highland terrarium
 

Well i guess around a couple of them max 5 but now only 2

Ken

Re: How to build a highland terrarium
 

If five, I don't think it will last a year.......unless you are growing all as small as ampullaria.

Cheers

Re: How to build a highland terrarium
 

Well I won't be getting any soon so for now its lady pauline and ventricosa...............Ventricosa is a compact growier so it will take sometime to get in size.......I'm posting some pics in nepenthes section soon.

Ken