Dean W.

Here it is!

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sirmoebly

Heating mats cost alot of money, my set up maybe better, built this set up for under $100 and not only can I control heat & I can can control humidity......... just buy turning off lights....... something to think about. It works great for me...... growing area is 2'x6' long & I start my seeds in a 4" pots, right now it is running at 86f & 80 humidity depending on what lights I have on & how big of pots with water in them..... makes a difference........ the best thing it is heated by low 100w Flourescent that uses 26w each & by turning each one on or off, I controll all......

Dean W.

What kind of bulbs are in the aluminum shop lights? Sorry if you already posted this.

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Bob

I've been using the same Electra Grow 37 inch for ... it will be 20 years this March. It's the heavy rubber mat with a cheap wire cage on top. No thermostat but durable and heats fairly evenly .

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sirmoebly

They come from Lowes, Brand is Bright Effects Daylight 100w (6500k) that uses 26w...Flourescent bulbs. I think this brand works the best. You know the kind you can screw in a socket... A few years a go I seen someone using them for plantlights, so I gave it a try. $6.00 for a shop light $8.00 for a four pack of lights..... they are cheap and they work... & last for ever... Hang them were you want & you don't need to take a loan out to run them, also you don't have to worry about burning your house down as a bonus....... For larger areas I would use 4' flouresents with day lights with the smaller ones for increased lighting. Try walmart $19.00 for them, they also sell shop lights like the ones hanging in the picture as well, I think they have longer cords, that is a little nicer.... Plus walmart sells cheap light timers for $5.00 & they work pretty good.....

r3tic

For a cheap heating source you should look into flex watt heat tape. It is available in 11" wide and you purchase it my the foot. It is 20w per linear foot. You do have to purchase a thermostat for it or you can use a dimmer switch with it. You do need to be cautious with it around water, use liquid electrical tape on the connections to prevent issues. It costs about $4 per foot and you need a cord to hook it up. I purchased mine here... Buy Flex Watt Heat Tape for Less

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Richard

In terms of cost per foot and avoiding problems with wet environments, this is an exception value:

200' Propagation Heat Cable

They also have cables in shorter lengths, thermostats, etc.

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Abnshrek

That looks like a rear window defroster? :^)

So if I laminated in polyester(Industrial) a sheet of copper foil. I could make my own?

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I'm a Nannerhead :^)

Tropicallvr

back to the infloor heating idea. The in floor heating is usually set up after the rebar is tied, just before the cement slab is poured. Which is then tiled over using thinset. I've seen it hooked up to a water heater and pushes hot water through hoses, and there is also the electric cable/tape which is set up in a similar grid pattern. Seems like the water hose method would be more energy wise choice though.

Richard

In southern California, the cost of electric in-floor heating is about $800 per 1,000 square feet per month.

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