Propagation Sweat Chamber

[DoubleDogFarm]

I used lights like this.

https://doorgarden.com/02/home-made-bottom-heat-seed-starting

cheap and effective.

Soil, you have me thinking. Do you think the Cool white rope lights would heat and be enough light to prevent leggy plants?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/50-2-Wire-LED-Rope-Light-In-Outdoor-Lighting-Home-Christmas-Decorative-110V-/230710836914?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&var=&hash=item35b76ffeb2

I was thinking about build a insulated box under my watering shelf. The North and East walls are already insulated. The watering shelf would be the top of the box. The box would have rebar shelving with the rope lights cable tied to the underside of the shelves. I could also cable tie them to hardware cloth if needed. I'm thinking maybe a total of three shelves plus the bottom, so four layers of 1020 flats. I may even paint the interior white.

The box would be about 10ft long and 2ft deep. Glass front, hopefully recycled windows.

How would one know how many feet of lights per shelf for sufficient heat and light for plants below? Also my watering shelf will travel beyond the top of the box, to the west. Will this pull heat out of the chamber?

Should I draw a picture Apple?

Eric

[LA47]

Great ideas! I'm so glad this was posted. This is something within my knowledge and budget and I'm going to start gathering materials now.

[soil]

I highly recommend it to Those who need strong seedlings during cold weather.


Eric not too sure on the amount of light rope per chamber size. I'd think temps, size, insulation, number of trays all have factors.

I am doing mine different this year. I'll be using a homemade compost hot water system for heating a small bed filled with sand at the bottom of the chamber.

[DoubleDogFarm]

I am doing mine different this year. I'll be using a homemade compost hot water system for heating a small bed filled with sand at the bottom of the chamber.

Ok, I'm listening. How will this work? Does the water circulate through the compost and sand bed?

Eric

[soil]

Look up things on youtube like compost hot shower. Or Jean pain.

The water will go through the tubing in the compost pile, into the greenhouse and into a small bed like your flood seedling thing but filled with sand likea radiant floor. I'm still thinking if I should make it one loop or just freshwater all the time. And some timer system. I've already used the system to produce hot water for an outdoor shower so I know it works well.

And when it's done I get compost.

[DoubleDogFarm]

Look up things on youtube like compost hot shower. Or Jean pain.

The water will go through the tubing in the compost pile, into the greenhouse and into a small bed like your flood seedling thing but filled with sand likea radiant floor. I'm still thinking if I should make it one loop or just freshwater all the time. And some timer system. I've already used the system to produce hot water for an outdoor shower so I know it works well.

And when it's done I get compost.

I have not looked at any Youtube videos, but I'm thinking a closed loop would be better. Why introduce cold water.

I have mixed feelings on the compost for heat idea. Have you looked at Will Allen's videos. Large pile. Do you have a source of large quantities of debris? How will you assemble the pipe and compost? Turning the pile to keep the heat going?

While you are at it, may I suggest adding a solar collector water heater.

Eric

[soil]

I have access to as much compostable material as I want. All of it taint free of chems and other nasties. Hundreds of yards if need be. So that's not an issue.

My thoughts on closed loop will cause lots of built up pressure. I'd like a pressure free system as my compost shower pile put out 110-150f water for 8 weeks then dropped down to about 90f. Closed systems at that temp will be out of the range for most people to make and use safely. I only need this system to work for a few months while my unheated greenhouse temps drop to the low thirties. I can always make another pile a week or so before the previous one cools down. And I can use the water that spits out the other end in a barrel maybe to water the plants in the greenhouse.

As for turning the pile I prefer a controlled anaerobic breakdown of my compost than aerobic, at least in the first stage. This makes a more biodiverse compost and a more nutrient rich compost. Turning compost = oxidation of organic matter and uv sterilization of now turned surface microbes. So in simple terms I never turn my compost anyways because when done right it's superior.

I have multiple solar collectors and solar hit water heaters. The problem is the times I need the heat most the sun isn't shining for says on end. Compost works rain, snow, or sunshine.

There is one way I was thinking of doing it closed loop. Although is have to do more research. Is making the system design a thermosiphon. That would be sweet if it just rubs all by itself.

As always I appreciate your nit picking.

[DoubleDogFarm]

As always I appreciate your nit picking

I'm collaborating, not nit picking. I'm always interested in what you are doing. Working things out in my mind.

I have to go pick up a lawn tractor. Be back soon.

Eric