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Post by fleischesser on Dec 25, 2017 1:54:05 GMT -5
I am currently setting up a terrarium which will contain sundews and nepenthes. Soil I have figured out still not 100% sure about the mix/layers but I have long fiber sphagnum, Sphagnum peat with perlite, small pumice rocks and pool filter sand. The lights I currently have available to use are:
1.)2 ft 2 tube Agribrite T5 high output 6400k fixture
2.)2 ft. 4 tube Agrobrite T5 high output 6400k fixture
3.) 150 watt high pressure sodium grow light ~2000k fixture
I am currently using only the T5 lights, is this enough? And should I alter some of the tubes to a different light temperature?
Running all three lights could be done but that would seem excessive to me as it is not that large of a terrarium I believe it is about 35 gallons. I suppose whatever setup and light usage that would be most beneficial for both nepenthes and the sundews is what I am after. my final question is about indirect or filtered light. I understand Nepenthes prefer this type of light. Does a piece of glass like a window count as a filter? Or how about clear fiberglass? Or is it ok to just have the light tubes exposed because they are fluorescent? Does only real sunlight need to be filtered or indirect?
Any help is greatly appreciated
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Post by jerrytheplater on Jan 2, 2018 21:21:57 GMT -5
I wish I could help, but I don't grow in terrariums.
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Post by Kevin on Jan 3, 2018 22:24:06 GMT -5
Good luck on your terrarium! I do not grow my plants under fluorescent tubes, but I know many growers who have successfully done so. My setup consists of LED bulbs that run 5000k and 2700k, which I have strung up so they alternate. The different temperatures seem to allow for both plant growth and bloom. I do believe that it is very hard to put too much light over a terrarium. Again, I have little experience with fluorescent bulbs, but my setup has a square footage around that of a 30-40 gallon aquarium and I have approximately 480 watt equivalent of LED bulbs above it. This appears ample for sundews (high light) and also works for butterworts (relatively lower light). I grow my Nepenthes in a 75 gallon tank, above which are 720 watt equivalent of LED bulbs. They are flourishing. In terms of indirect/filtered, I think Nepenthes do fine with "direct" indoor lighting - they will burn if outdoors in full sun, but indoors they shouldn't burn unless they are very close to the bulbs. I haven't found anything like a filter or a piece of glass necessary. I have referenced this website in the past for lighting: www.carnivorousplants.org/grow/SoilsWaterLight/FluorescentLighting. It is a bit technical, but it seems like that is the direction you are looking in. Good luck! |
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Post by jerrytheplater on Jan 4, 2018 22:37:44 GMT -5
I have a home made PAR meter (photosynthetically active radiation) which is really only good for measurements through water and with artificial light. It cost $50.00 vs. the almost $500.00 for a high quality one. The Apogee sensor in the link will tell you what kind of light you have reaching your plants through air. www.apogeeinstruments.com/full-spectrum-quantum-sensor/ Full sun is in the 2000 micromol/m^2/sec^2 range. |
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Post by Alexander on Feb 24, 2018 16:46:00 GMT -5
Hey Fleischesser,
My two terrarium set ups are:
20 Gallon Aquarium:
Set Up Contains:
2' T5HO 2 Tube (6400K) Fixture and one 60 watt CFL (directed at the leafs)
Glass Top with an a small 2 x 8 gap for air ventilation
1 Small Kritter Keeper with an aquarium heater set to 75.
2 Nepenthes ampullaria
1 pacman frog
Reflective Wrap on 3 of four walls
12-16 hrs of light a day depending on the season
10 Gallon Aquarium:
Set Up Contains
2' T5HO 4 Tube (6400) Fixture
Glass Lid
Computer Fan Angled on the glass halfway in the tank to cool down glass and promote airflow.
1 Heliamphora minor
1 Heliamphora heterodoxa
Mexican Butterworts
Containers of live sphagnum moss
Cephalotus, pygmy sundews, and Lithops are also under the lights but not in the tank.
Reflective Wrap around the aquarium perimeter
12-16 hrs of light a day depending on the season
Everything is growing well and will need to be repotted. N. ampullaria pots are filling up with basal pitchers as well. I think with the 4 tube fixture you should be good, but the Nepenthes will outgrown most terrariums. The lights do dryout the pitcher tips of young leaves if they touch the glass or get too close to light. Also, light energy loses strength pretty quickly the farther you are from the fixture. I would just prop up the sundews closer to the light. If they are turning red, they are getting a perfect amount of light. I have had N. ventricosa under these lights, in the leafs began turning red (I think it was a little over kill for these guys). I sort of eye ball everything and base the plants health on growth and color. I also agree with Kevin on the bright artificial light less damaging then sunlight.
What species are you planning on keeping?
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joe
New Member
Posts: 3
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Post by joe on Sept 18, 2018 9:05:40 GMT -5
This UK grower had a pretty cool setup. might do this myself
but with these LED lamps:
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joe
New Member
Posts: 3
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Post by joe on Sept 18, 2018 10:51:01 GMT -5
& BTW there are apps for smartphones that will show lumens...
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