Terrarium

[pipsqueak]

I wanted to make a 5-10 gallon tank into a terarrium. I know what to include inside of the terrarium (3 VFTs and a sundew), but it will not fit in the window sill, so how will I give it the proper light? I don't want to put the terrarium outside, because here in chicago, i am positive someone will surely steal it for the fun of it.

Can I put it under some kind of light? If so What kind?
Thanx a bunch!

 

[Guest]

I would not put a tank into direct lighting. You take a chance on overheating it and frying the CP's

Artificial lighting will be your safest bet.

Cool white lights left on 12-14 hours a day. You can also add a growlux bulb or wam white to get a broader spectrum of light for the plants.

But if not possible, cool white works perfectly. You should be able to find a small fixture at Home Depot, Lowes, or any hardware store.

Hope this helps!

Let us know what you do

 

[jiana54]

what part of chicago are you from

if you dont mind me asking.....

 

[pipsqueak]

I am from the south side of Chicago.
I live on 47th and kedzie. How about You?

 

[jiana54]

south side!!!!!

near ford city mall...right

my boyfriend lives somewhere around the area....23rd and Western

i live an hour away from my boyfriend.....

im from the Gurnee area...where Six Flags Great America is.

 

[jaje61]

The south side of Chicago? Isn't that where Bad Bad Leroy Brown is from

 

[pipsqueak]

I don't know who bad boy leroy brown is, but yeah jiana, i live near ford city. Actually i am about 10 min. away. maybe even less.
I still have a question though, what is a growlux bulb?
ThanX

 

[steveo]

Hey Pip!

A gro-lux bulb is a special plant light that gives off a purplish glow. Just ask the guy at the store. Some people question the value of these and stick with cool white at half the price--I'm a sucker who has all three types (cool, "warm," and gro) in his setup.

With a small tank, you will want to suspend the light fixture over the tank. PVC pipe, also available at a hardware store, will make a quick and reliable (and cheap) frame for this job in no time.

Timex makes a 3-prong timer for the light, if you do not want to switch it on and off yourself. Change the bulbs every six months.

Steve