Making my first live viv. Advice welcome :)

[Paul Rust]

Sorry about the Kansas remark. I come from Massachusetts, the land isn't flat here.

Yes it is

[Tropicok]

Hey, I resemble that remark (about Kansas). The eastern part of Kansas is very hilly and pretty as it is getting into Missouri and Arkansas geographical area. From Hwy. 81 west is flatter wheat and prairie and back eons ago was an inland sea until it hits the front side of the Rockies. This is all layman's terms, of course.

[John]

I'm no plant expert, but (again from Ray) I've learned that there are orchids that do well in terrariums. Ray has one species in a couple of his terrariums, but I'm not sure what it is. Rich at Black Jungle is a plant expert so it might be worth shooting him an email (please mention this web site if you do contact him). I'm going to email this thread to Ray because he might get a kick out of it and he might also be able to help with the orchids.

[Stemcellular]

Sorry folks, I'm married, PhD candidate in one field, instructor in another, aspiring bench scientist, and avid cyclist, while working full time in life sciences. Doesn't take much at all to keep a big room going, just a few hours here and there, usually between 1-3am. Sleep is overrated.

I would recommend many begonia species in place of orchids if you are starting out, esp. if you are building a horizontal enclosure. There are more than you could ever possibly entertain and you end up with some gorgeous blooms to boot. If you add some height, you can try a few of the smaller orchids, which BJ* sells.

My one bit of advice is don't get too caught up in the design. When I started a few years ago I spent a ton of cash buying all kinds of **** from wood to misters to....All you really need (beyond the tank and glass cover) is eggcrate, leca or gravel (heavy but looks nice), some orchid bark for the second layer, some coco fiber, and leaf litter. I usually stick a piece of cork or small driftwood in the corner on an angle and use that to hold back the leca and create a little sloped pond (for hand drainage and tad deposits). Add some begonia cuttings, a slow growing philo or monstera sp., and some pepperomia or assorted climber and you are good to go. With auratus, also get a cocohut as they will use it. I never get into backgrounds, just cut some cork and wedge it between the top and bottom, presto background, cheap, removable and the plants will cover it up quickly.

Good luck, auratus are a wonderful, bold, colorful species to start with.

*Black Jungle - Kurt

[xkatelynell]

Sorry folks, I'm married, PhD candidate in one field, instructor in another, aspiring bench scientist, and avid cyclist, while working full time in life sciences. Doesn't take much at all to keep a big room going, just a few hours here and there, usually between 1-3am. Sleep is overrated.

I would recommend many begonia species in place of orchids if you are starting out, esp. if you are building a horizontal enclosure. There are more than you could ever possibly entertain and you end up with some gorgeous blooms to boot. If you add some height, you can try a few of the smaller orchids, which BJ sells.

My one bit of advice is don't get too caught up in the design. When I started a few years ago I spent a ton of cash buying all kinds of **** from wood to misters to....All you really need (beyond the tank and glass cover) is eggcrate, leca or gravel (heavy but looks nice), some orchid bark for the second layer, some coco fiber, and leaf litter. I usually stick a piece of cork or small driftwood in the corner on an angle and use that to hold back the leca and create a little sloped pond (for hand drainage and tad deposits). Add some begonia cuttings, a slow growing philo or monstera sp., and some pepperomia or assorted climber and you are good to go. With auratus, also get a cocohut as they will use it. I never get into backgrounds, just cut some cork and wedge it between the top and bottom, presto background, cheap, removable and the plants will cover it up quickly.

Good luck, auratus are a wonderful, bold, colorful species to start with.

Thank you for all of your help! I love my auratus, and I'm really excited to start making it the perfect home