Originally Posted by 51st state

Hi All

I am ready to plant my seeds in my new propagator but I just can't get the temperature up high enough.

I have an old fish tank 900 L x 300 D x 450 H (thats 36" x 12" x 18" in old fashioned measures!) I have put it on a foil backed polystyrene insulated sheet on a bench in my greenhouse.

in the bottom is sand in which is my brand new heated cable 6.0m (50W) I am going to plant in these grow cube thingys (root riot they're called) I have a digital stat with a probe sensor and 2 gro-light tubes (old ones from the fish tank). I just cant get the temp in the planting medium up above 22/23C (72/75F)

I am trying to get 27/35 (80/95F) daytime and then by using a timer turn it off and let the temp drift down to hopefully 13/16 (55/60F) nightime, so I have the alternating temp regime which I read I will need.

My seeds are soaking in primer and I need to get them in. Any ideas from anyone on how to get the temperature up?? How is everyone else getting up to 'tropical' propagation temperatures??

any ideas welcome.

Kev - Salisbury UK (zone 8b) and peeing with rain today as usual !!