Please everyone call me ERIC.
Soil, Your question has been rattling around in my head for days now.
Keeps coming back, I don't know. How warm can you get aquarium water. Could I bury an aquarium under my sweet chamber to get both heat and humidity? I'm going to google aquarium heaters I'll be right back....
https://saltaquarium.about.com/od/toppicks/tp/TPheaters.htm
Ok, looks like we can get water up into the low 90F. It may take one of the larger 500w heaters. Used aquariums are easy to come by, but I'm thinking many different containers would work. I would want to make sure no nasties are released under warm conditions.
Anyone have thoughts on this project?
Eric
-
- Super Green Thumb
- Posts: 6113
- Joined: Sun Mar 28, 2010 11:43 pm
-
- Super Green Thumb
- Posts: 6113
- Joined: Sun Mar 28, 2010 11:43 pm
-
- Super Green Thumb
- Posts: 6113
- Joined: Sun Mar 28, 2010 11:43 pm
-
- Super Green Thumb
- Posts: 6113
- Joined: Sun Mar 28, 2010 11:43 pm
Interesting idea Frank. Will you need a plastic valance at the top. Will you have a gap at the ceiling.Bobberman wrote:I was thinking of using a clear hanging shower curtain that I can slide over the area so I can let the sunlight in and leave the plants stay there for week or more! The curtain will hang down and keep the area warmer and be easy to open to the boxes! The curtains are cheap and very heavy vinyl!
I will be moving my propagation chamber from the South wall to the east wall. This will make room for more rebar shelving.
[img]https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h300/eric_wa/Double%20Dog%20Farm%20%20Greenhouse%20Propagation/GreenhouseMay8th2011007.jpg[/img]
Eric
Last edited by DoubleDogFarm on Sat Oct 13, 2012 3:36 am, edited 3 times in total.
My ceiling is 6foot 8 high with double plastic. I will run it from the ceiling down and it will over lap the table! have decided to put my small ceramic 200 watt heater inside. The back wall is 2 inch styrofoam!. The table has a inch foam on top!. The curtain faces the south clear double plastic A frame wall! It will get really warm uring the day and I may have to have the curtain slightly open. I have a real thick one shower curtail I bought 6 months ago!
-
- Super Green Thumb
- Posts: 6113
- Joined: Sun Mar 28, 2010 11:43 pm
-
- Super Green Thumb
- Posts: 6113
- Joined: Sun Mar 28, 2010 11:43 pm
- floridahillnursery
- Cool Member
- Posts: 93
- Joined: Mon Jan 09, 2012 7:44 am
- Location: Orlando Florida
-
- Super Green Thumb
- Posts: 6113
- Joined: Sun Mar 28, 2010 11:43 pm
- floridahillnursery
- Cool Member
- Posts: 93
- Joined: Mon Jan 09, 2012 7:44 am
- Location: Orlando Florida
-
- Super Green Thumb
- Posts: 6113
- Joined: Sun Mar 28, 2010 11:43 pm
- floridahillnursery
- Cool Member
- Posts: 93
- Joined: Mon Jan 09, 2012 7:44 am
- Location: Orlando Florida
Built mine today, went with making it longer than tall, the stacking of too many trays last year made for poor airflow. I can fit 8 trays at a time single layer, if I want I can double it to 16 and still have room for proper airflow. And this way they get more light along with the warmth. Should be fine with eight 200 cell trays. 1600 plants at a go every few weeks.
I made this years version for under 20$ went with a piece of plastic if it sucks next year is glass for sure. What cost most was the outdoor rube light that cost 12$. For those starting a good number of plants, starting plants for sale, or those just wanting a head start in the cold late winter days. This is the way to do germination.
I made this years version for under 20$ went with a piece of plastic if it sucks next year is glass for sure. What cost most was the outdoor rube light that cost 12$. For those starting a good number of plants, starting plants for sale, or those just wanting a head start in the cold late winter days. This is the way to do germination.
Made my sweat chamber this past weekend! After many ideas I finally went with two clear shower curtains in the front. They wotked better than I thought and were so clear I could look through and see the boxes! So here is what I did!
++++
In my 12 by 16 solar A frame greenhouse I put the chamber on the north insulated wall! On the angled north wall I have a 2 nch styrofoam insulation! I made a 4 tier shelf with 2 by 3 old storm alum. windows. I had two 50 gallon drums between the 8 foot wide shelf! I used the windows so the light would pass through and hit all the boxes incase I left them in awhile after they emerged!. I did 11 - 15 by 20 styrofoam boxes of new seeds.'
+++
At the bottom shelf I set a 200watt ceramic heater on a timer That would come on for evey other our for a 1/2 hour startinging at 10 pm till 5 am. I have the heater blowing against two small metal pots of water. The water gives some moisture and holds the heat when the heater is not on! As long as I am 45 degrees or higher at night I am happy! Day temp are always 50 to 90!. I am montoring it all the time! I have one flat of tomatoes up n there now! The curtains are on a rod and esy to open! I bought the curtain at Dollar general for $6 each and they are really nice thick clear heavy plastic!
++++
In my 12 by 16 solar A frame greenhouse I put the chamber on the north insulated wall! On the angled north wall I have a 2 nch styrofoam insulation! I made a 4 tier shelf with 2 by 3 old storm alum. windows. I had two 50 gallon drums between the 8 foot wide shelf! I used the windows so the light would pass through and hit all the boxes incase I left them in awhile after they emerged!. I did 11 - 15 by 20 styrofoam boxes of new seeds.'
+++
At the bottom shelf I set a 200watt ceramic heater on a timer That would come on for evey other our for a 1/2 hour startinging at 10 pm till 5 am. I have the heater blowing against two small metal pots of water. The water gives some moisture and holds the heat when the heater is not on! As long as I am 45 degrees or higher at night I am happy! Day temp are always 50 to 90!. I am montoring it all the time! I have one flat of tomatoes up n there now! The curtains are on a rod and esy to open! I bought the curtain at Dollar general for $6 each and they are really nice thick clear heavy plastic!
-
- Super Green Thumb
- Posts: 6113
- Joined: Sun Mar 28, 2010 11:43 pm
Only made one change to the germination chamber setup. I installed a small fan at the top left corner. I'm hoping this will even out the heat from top to bottom. The fan and heater are connected to the same thermostat.
[img]https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h300/eric_wa/Double%20Dog%20Farm%20%20Greenhouse%20Propagation/GreenhouseFeb72012001.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h300/eric_wa/Double%20Dog%20Farm%20%20Greenhouse%20Propagation/GreenhouseFeb72012002.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h300/eric_wa/Double%20Dog%20Farm%20%20Greenhouse%20Propagation/GreenhouseFeb72012004.jpg[/img]
Eric
[img]https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h300/eric_wa/Double%20Dog%20Farm%20%20Greenhouse%20Propagation/GreenhouseFeb72012001.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h300/eric_wa/Double%20Dog%20Farm%20%20Greenhouse%20Propagation/GreenhouseFeb72012002.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h300/eric_wa/Double%20Dog%20Farm%20%20Greenhouse%20Propagation/GreenhouseFeb72012004.jpg[/img]
Eric
Last edited by DoubleDogFarm on Sat Oct 13, 2012 3:37 am, edited 2 times in total.
Good job very nice. What temp do you keep it! Also with the fan you may need to cover the boxes so they don't dry out with the breeze or is it just a small fan! My swea chamber came out nice with the clear shower curtains for the door! I have about 15 foam flats! I will add more this weekend mostly tomatoes and peppers this week!
-
- Super Green Thumb
- Posts: 6113
- Joined: Sun Mar 28, 2010 11:43 pm
Currently the thermostat is set at 80F.
It's a small fan angled at the side wall, not blowing on any of the flats. The bowl of water above the heater is there to keep things humid, but I'll keep an eye on the upper shelves. Last year they did dry out some.
Anyone have thoughts on a 4" pipe the fan could blow down. This may help return the warmest air to the bottom.
Eric
It's a small fan angled at the side wall, not blowing on any of the flats. The bowl of water above the heater is there to keep things humid, but I'll keep an eye on the upper shelves. Last year they did dry out some.
Anyone have thoughts on a 4" pipe the fan could blow down. This may help return the warmest air to the bottom.
Eric
Check out that personal ceramic heater at Wal Mart for $11. It blows a little air but its only 200watts and may be a nice alternative to what you are using. The reason is because you can set up two one on each end and only use 200 wats times 2 which is not as much as the gig ones even on low! The heater is tiny about 4 inches high and 3 inches thick!
-
- Super Green Thumb
- Posts: 6113
- Joined: Sun Mar 28, 2010 11:43 pm
Interesting.
You would have to do a little calculating. How long does a 1500W heater have to run to keep the cabinet a constant 80f compared (2) 200W heaters. Would the smaller heaters have to run 3.75 times longer? Not sure, maybe once the cabinet is up to temperature the smaller heaters would be more efficient?
Eric
You would have to do a little calculating. How long does a 1500W heater have to run to keep the cabinet a constant 80f compared (2) 200W heaters. Would the smaller heaters have to run 3.75 times longer? Not sure, maybe once the cabinet is up to temperature the smaller heaters would be more efficient?
Eric
You could use 2 or 3 heaters 200 watt and have a more uniform heat with less wasted head and three small fans insede the small eaters! To heat a chamber inclosed bz should not take much heat if its insulated or has a two plastic pannel set up! My heat chamber gets sun during the day right through the plastic shower clear thick curtain! The shower cutains ae about 5 foot square and only cost $6 at dollar general. I may use them for ther things since they are so strong!
++=
Do you need 80 degree heat all the time or could you get away with a hour of 80 degree heat and a half hour of no heat since the dirt will hold the heat for a good while!
++=
Do you need 80 degree heat all the time or could you get away with a hour of 80 degree heat and a half hour of no heat since the dirt will hold the heat for a good while!
-
- Super Green Thumb
- Posts: 6113
- Joined: Sun Mar 28, 2010 11:43 pm
This would be a better setup if I purchased the inline thermostat with a soil probe. We really want soil temps not air.Do you need 80 degree heat all the time or could you get away with a hour of 80 degree heat and a half hour of no heat since the dirt will hold the heat for a good while!
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Portable-Low-Temp-Thermostat-Marine-De-icer-/170775342634?pt=Boat_Parts_Accessories_Gear&vxp=mtr&hash=item27c300ee2a
Eric
-
- Super Green Thumb
- Posts: 6113
- Joined: Sun Mar 28, 2010 11:43 pm
One last change for this years setup. I connected a tube to the fan. Should help even out the heat.
[img]https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h300/eric_wa/Double%20Dog%20Farm%20%20Greenhouse%20Propagation/GreenhouseFeb72012016.jpg[/img]
Eric
[img]https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h300/eric_wa/Double%20Dog%20Farm%20%20Greenhouse%20Propagation/GreenhouseFeb72012016.jpg[/img]
Eric
Last edited by DoubleDogFarm on Sat Oct 13, 2012 3:38 am, edited 2 times in total.
-
- Super Green Thumb
- Posts: 6113
- Joined: Sun Mar 28, 2010 11:43 pm
I love my sweat chamber, when people come over and see how big my plants are compared to theirs it blows their mind. hell it even blows my mind how fast they germinate and grow.
I highly recommend anyone starting seeds to build something that provides the same function as Eric's sweat chamber.
a friend is giving me a camera soon so I can take photos of mine soon.
I highly recommend anyone starting seeds to build something that provides the same function as Eric's sweat chamber.
a friend is giving me a camera soon so I can take photos of mine soon.
-
- Super Green Thumb
- Posts: 6113
- Joined: Sun Mar 28, 2010 11:43 pm
-
- Senior Member
- Posts: 274
- Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2010 6:41 pm
- Location: Far Upper Alabama
Interesting discussion here. Soil- If I remember right, your up in Pardise, are you in the valley or foothills? As you know the central valley gets mighty toasty and winters are mild. I vary when I start my seeds, I think the earlist I started mine was the end of Jan. but normally it's mid to late Feb. I don't have the luxury of a greenhouse but would sure love one!!! What I have done to get things going is just take some PVC with elbows and whatnots and make a frame that I drape with 6mil plastic weighed down with 2x4's. A colapseable mini greenhouse so to speak. My winter sun isn't real great but where I set it up and when the suns out, it gets mighty toasty in there. And even if we get frost, things are protected, plus the ground gets heated and radiates off at night, don't really know what the lowest low has ever been in there, or the hottest cause on sunny days I open it to keep from cookin in there. I should get a thermometer just for my intell. This year my rads, kohlrobis popped in a day and 1/2, maybe cause my compost has a higher manure content than previous years and a little later start than the past.
Eric- It's kinda hard to tell but couldn't you move that over to the corner and take a 2x4 or something and attach it to the window frame for your rebar so that it would be glass on 3 sides instead of 2, just to give them a bigger light shot? Neat what you got going on so far.
Eric- It's kinda hard to tell but couldn't you move that over to the corner and take a 2x4 or something and attach it to the window frame for your rebar so that it would be glass on 3 sides instead of 2, just to give them a bigger light shot? Neat what you got going on so far.
Eric, what do you think about flex watt heat tape and a digital thermostat? possibly a good heat source.. I mean if it can be used to incubate eggs, why not keep soil warm instead of multiple heat mats and thermostats.
I dunno, I thought about it earlier.. figured I'd bring it to the table for discussion.
I dunno, I thought about it earlier.. figured I'd bring it to the table for discussion.
-
- Senior Member
- Posts: 274
- Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2010 6:41 pm
- Location: Far Upper Alabama