wow, thanks everyone!
Smith & HAwken doesn't take online orders anymore and their store is messed up, but this page shows what I have at the top... http://outdoor-furniture.smithandhawken.com/garden/glass cloche
the substrate is a 3 part layering... the bottom layer of clay balls is hydroton. It's like filter media in a way, and is used for drainage. it floats, so you can't use it in every case.
the next layer is screen, then a layer of activated carbon. this is above the waterline by at least 1/4".
then, the last layer is a mix of coco fiber mixed with activated carbon and flourite black. I then capped a large portion of it with button moss.
Fresh water is always introduced through the moss cap, which flushes the island out a bit and keeps the top layer mix well saturated but not stagnating in water. the waterline keeps the cork and hydroton damp and the humidity around 80%. I used little plastic clips to keep the cloche cover raised to just the edge of the bowl, this way, there is always fresh air, and no mold persists. Typically with a cloche, there is no water in the base, and the glass could just rest on the floor of the base, but with water this forms an air tight, and somewhat dangerous seal.
Smith & HAwken doesn't take online orders anymore and their store is messed up, but this page shows what I have at the top... http://outdoor-furniture.smithandhawken.com/garden/glass cloche
the substrate is a 3 part layering... the bottom layer of clay balls is hydroton. It's like filter media in a way, and is used for drainage. it floats, so you can't use it in every case.
the next layer is screen, then a layer of activated carbon. this is above the waterline by at least 1/4".
then, the last layer is a mix of coco fiber mixed with activated carbon and flourite black. I then capped a large portion of it with button moss.
Fresh water is always introduced through the moss cap, which flushes the island out a bit and keeps the top layer mix well saturated but not stagnating in water. the waterline keeps the cork and hydroton damp and the humidity around 80%. I used little plastic clips to keep the cloche cover raised to just the edge of the bowl, this way, there is always fresh air, and no mold persists. Typically with a cloche, there is no water in the base, and the glass could just rest on the floor of the base, but with water this forms an air tight, and somewhat dangerous seal.
