Question
QUESTION: Hello,
I am planning on creating a carnivorous plant terrarium. I want to have a whole collection of different species eventually, but for now I am starting with a ten gallon tank (maybe a 20 gallon long, but for now lets assume a 10g).

Substrate:
I plan on using 1" of river rock at the bottom for drainage covered by landscaping cloth. Next I will add a small layer of activated charcoal to filter the water and last add 3-5 inches of 1:1 ratio peat moss and perlite.

Lighting:
I am using 2 shop lights with ZooMed Ultra Sun CFL bulbs. They are 10 watts, 6500k and told a color of 98.  Later I will upgrade to 4 fluorescent tubes.

Plants:
I want to stick with smaller plants because there won't be a lot of room between the lights and plants. I am thinking venus flytraps and sundews.

Temperature, Humidity, Dormancy:
I will use the lights, room temperature, and a computer fan to moderate the temperature. I have a lid for the tank if necessary to keep humidity up.  I am not sure what to do about dormancy at the moment.


So my questions are:
Does this setup look correct? Should I make any changes?
What temperature and humidity should I aim for?
I live in Phoenix, AZ, how should I give the plants a time of dormancy?
In the winter it gets cold at night, but might still range from 70-60 during the day.

Any other advice you would give based on this set up?

Thank you very much for you advise.


Terrarium #2  
Terrarium #1   ANSWER: Hello Lindsey, So happy that you are planning a carnivorous plant terrarium. I so enjoy all mine and the starting size of 10 gallons sounds great, but the lighting may be a problem.  I found that Lowes and other builders places sells F40T12 Ecolux 40 watts that I have used for many years and as you will see in my photos. Carnivorous plants thrive best with more watts/lumens and I don't think the 10 watts you have not cut it! Don't use charcoal in your carnivorous planted terrarium for the brake down of the mineral will not be good for your plants like in a reg. terrarium, they are very different! Temperature should be night time 60-75 degrees- day time 70-88 degrees and humidity from 50%-80% Venus Flytraps don't need much for most sundews need the humidity to dew well! but know the higher the humidity the bigger risk for mold or fungus to keep an eye out for that, so to be removed if seen! Dormancy is about what kind of carnivorous plants you are planning on having, like ALL Venus Flytraps need a 6 month cold dormancy and yes some sundews and most pitcher plants. If it is named tropical then it doesn't need a dormancy!  I hope this is helping you understand a little on how and what to plant where....you see I move 75% of all my plants out of my terrariums and into dormancy and plant another corps of new plants, that way I have thriving carnivorous plants 24/7, and don't know if that is what you have in mind? I'd like to follow up many times on helping you get set up and to the point of thriving carnivorous plants if you like but for now I think you have what it takes to get started!  Thanks  Dan (Daniel Lee Bowen)  

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Just a quick follow up question. I am buying two 48" T8/12 light fixtures. Each holds two bulbs. I saw the 40 watt T12 bulbs with 6500k color temperature, but I also noticed the T12 has 2180 lumens. If I use a T8 with 32 watts and 2700 lumens at 6500k color, would this benefit more? I did not know if the T12 had any other advantage over the T8.

Thank You.

I will be buying my light system today so that I can order my plants soon.

ANSWER: Sorry to have taken to so to reply, I just got out work at Lowes, lol  YES it would benefit your plants more, great thinking on your side! I'd so enjoy hearing about what and where you on the ordering of your carnivorous plants, and the day of planting them and if I might be able to help you! You are in for so real FUN.....Thanks for the question and your fast and start thinking! Later for now good friend looking forward to seeing your terrarium set-up! Dan (Daniel Lee Bowen)

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I am working on my plant soil today. I was planning on using perlite and peat moss, but all the perlite that I am finding has fertilizers in it or come in quantities that is much larger than what I need. I have also heard of people using a peat moss and sand mixture for carnivorous plants. What has been recommended is to use silica sand. Again the only way I am finding this sand is in 100 lb bags. I wanted to know if there was any other sand I could use?

I am in hopes to get the tanks set up today and at the end of the week order my plants. I am planning on two different types of venus flytraps, maybe a small pitcher plant and maybe a sundew or butterwort. Not sure on the species yet I am looking into the plants today. I am looking at the plants from Black jungle Terrarium Supply or California Carnivores.

Answer

Terrarium 5A  

Terrarium 4C   Hello Linsey,
         I understand your conundrum on these large amounts that you are found but I know at Lowes we sell smaller amounts of rocks/moss and yes sand!  But, to note in all my years in growing carnivorous plants I have only used sphagnum moss for the mineral-free soil and have never used a mixed like I hear all these growers/nurseries talk about! another way I will never put perlite in any of my terrariums for it sticks to all my sundews and makes a mess and looks bad.   All the plants you are talking about sound great! Please know that not adding perlite or sand will NOT make hit your plants as long as you have a mineral-free soil base with at less 2-3 inches of rocks for drainage!  I'd enjoy seeing a photo of this set-up once you get your plants!  Happy Growing, Your friend, Dan (Daniel Lee Bowen)