My Fluorescent Corner

Hey, thought I would share something I kind of just slapped together. Since I have an empty 50-gal fish aquarium and a double-tube 48" fluorescent bulb fixture, I placed the plants inside the tank, then simply rested the light fixture on top. I use wood blocks to vary the heights of the plants. The light overhangs the tank, so there's room on the sides for more plants.

Crude, but gives me lots of pleasure in the winter.

About twice a day, I mist. The plants love it.

Any suggestions about increasing the humidity further .... and how close to the light bulbs is too close?

Thanks,
TJ

As far as the humidity, why don't you place a bowl or saucer under them and fill it with water.

I have always read that the lights need to be 6-8 inches above the plants, so it looks like you have it just right. Obviously, they are very happy.

Oh, maybe you could soak some moss and put it in the bottom and it would provide moisture and add to the 'look'.

Very creative. I would think it depends on the plants as to distance from the light. Some plants require higher light than others. To create humidity you could also put a layer of gravel in the bottom of the tank, add a little water and sit the plants back inside.

I'd love to have a large aquarium to plant up! I have a 10 gal that I've had planted for a couple of years. It has the hood with the light and I leave the light on about 14 hours a day. The glass is dirty and foggy and I need to get in there and thin things out before long but this is my 10 gal aquarium/terrarium. For the past year it's been mostly used for rooting cuttings but a few months ago I stuck an African Violet in there. There's been a little Philodendron in there about a year. Other things are a little piece of fern that had almost taken over the entire tank last year. I pulled most of it out but there's still a small piece in the back corner. There are also two begonia cuttings that took root and a couple of unknown sinningia's.

TJ & Lin, I love both your set-ups.
Lin, you have your plants planted in the aquarium not in pots?
I have an aquarium but not the hooded light like yours,can I buy just the hood/light somewhere?

CC: Yep, mine are planted in the terrarium. A layer of pea gravel, then the potting medium/soil, then the plants. Mine came from Wal-Mart with the hood and lights but I think you can buy just the hood/light set up at some pet stores.