Heat mats for concrete floors

[TedNugget]

I'm looking for any I of anyone can offer on those propagation/heating mats (but not for propagation). The plants are up off the concrete floor but still get a bit too cold...

This site has tons of different heat mats - all different sizes and manufacturers. I was thinking of going with at least the 20x20 mats, but probably even bigger (like the 22x44 or the 21/22x48 inch).

http://www.thefind.com/garden/browse-seed-propagation-mat#settings[search.pagesize.multiplier]=3&page=1&local=0

Anyone used any of these? Any suggestions?
Also, if I get a thermostat for it, will that allow higher temps than without the thermostat? Or would that only allow me to turn the heat down? In other words - does anyone know if the mats put out maximum heat right out of the box? Or will a thermostat allow me to crank it up even higher?

There are just so many different models & manufacturers of these heat mats. I don't know which are good and which are garbage... (and I HATE wasting money! lol)

 

[dansbuds]

why go to that expense for electricity & mats ???? just build a subfloor out of 2 x 2's & flooring insulation board .

2 x2 "s are a couple a bux a piece & the foam flooring board is like 10 bux for a 4' x 8' sheet .
put 1/2" ply wood over the top of it or even just pond liner , but remember to take your shoes off i ya just use the PL .

real easy dude

 

[vostok]

dansbuds has a point, I'm the opposite most the year, and sit my babes in used polystyrene
slabs about 1-2 inches thick, to offer those valuable deep roots some protection, I
get the slabs of a whiteware shop were a buddy works.
Unless you are in a very very cold place I'd go for a cheaper easier option?

 

[zerocool21]

if your going to that extent a felt mat with a pond liner,plywood,or foam should do the trick just fine as a thermal break. if your still needing a heating source take a look into water bed heaters, ive found them used for pretty cheap if thats what you really need. but like everyone has said theres much better ways for a better ways for a stable environment

 

[Jhhnn]

If you cover the foamboard with wonderboard or hardibacker (even better), it's impervious to both water & fire.

 

[TedNugget]

I am just trying to get things to speed back up. Everything has slowed down recently (from the cold I think). It's not that bad but it's slower than it should be.
I actually have the pots up on pallets, but they stil seem to be quite cold. Maybe I need to build an actual sub-floor like described above?
The room is actually in the 70's but the pots & dirt feel pretty cold still and they only need to be watered like once every 4-5 days (even the ones in promix). Like I said they are not touching the concrete. They are up a few inches on the wood pallets. Do I just need to create some type of insulating layer then?

I stuck one small little heat mat under 2 pots and they really started to take off again. Which is why I figured I'd just add some more heat to the root zone...

 

[Mikell]

Spend money to save energy, not consume it. Breaking heat stratification and adding insulation seems more appropriate than adding heat in an inefficient manner.

 

[Ph-patrol]

When I'm brewing tea in the garage I use wooden blocks so heat goes around bucket.But you could use ridged foam insulation.Any thing to stop cold temp concrete drawing heat out of your containers.

 

[highsteppa]

Bottom heat is a great way go if you need to bump temps up. also makes a nice micros climate as the heat moves up through your plants. Great for speeding up veg and putting on rootmass. You could aways put some rigid insulation on the floor, then cables on top if you still need more. You can use some steel hardware cloth and attach the cables with zip ties to get even spacing and then just roll em up later.Best to your grow, HS

 

[TedNugget]

Would those heating cables be a better option than the heat mats?

It seems like those heating cables were meant to be buried in the soil with outdoor plants, so I wasn't sure how they would work if I just attached them to a board and set it underneath the plants... Would it work well still? Or no? Anyone know? Or could/should I just wrap the wire right around the outside of each pot?

I am going to put a layer of some type of wood or insulation on the floor as soon as possible. But I think I'd still like to try to add some type of heat to the floor, whether it be one hearing cables or the mats. I am also going to check I to those water bed heaters like suggested above.

 

[zerocool21]

well if there is a thermal break you shouldnt need to heat any of the roots if your temps are correct. with that said its not logical to use the cables in the pots, when you have to repot or move or have an issue you then have to dig into the root zone.

what are your ambient temps,etc? as it sounds like your overlooking something there if your having to heat the roots

 

[TedNugget]

So those cables would Not work if I just attached them to a board and put it underneath the pots? That's kind of what I thought...

Temp stays around 75 during the day and into the mid to low 60's at night. I had to stop air-cooling the lights because temps were staying In the 60's even with lights on. The room has concrete floors with nothing covering them. The plants are up on wood crates a few inches off the floor.
Even during lights on, the dirt in the pots feels pretty cold to the touch.

So it sounds like I need to build some type of sub-floor that covers the exposed concrete in the room?

 

[dansbuds]

So those cables would Not work if I just attached them to a board and put it underneath the pots? That's kind of what I thought...

Temp stays around 75 during the day and into the mid to low 60's at night. I had to stop air-cooling the lights because temps were staying In the 60's even with lights on. The room has concrete floors with nothing covering them. The plants are up on wood crates a few inches off the floor.
Even during lights on, the dirt in the pots feels pretty cold to the touch.

So it sounds like I need to build some type of sub-floor that covers the exposed concrete in the room?

 

[Jhhnn]

So those cables would Not work if I just attached them to a board and put it underneath the pots? That's kind of what I thought...

Temp stays around 75 during the day and into the mid to low 60's at night. I had to stop air-cooling the lights because temps were staying In the 60's even with lights on. The room has concrete floors with nothing covering them. The plants are up on wood crates a few inches off the floor.
Even during lights on, the dirt in the pots feels pretty cold to the touch.

So it sounds like I need to build some type of sub-floor that covers the exposed concrete in the room?

It's an easy project because rigid foamboard insulation is quite strong under compression. I'd suggest 1" or thicker material. Cover it with 1/2" hardibacker, osb or plywood, staggering the seams of the foam & overlayment. Cut it to fit & lay it down.

I really like 1/2" hardibacker. excellent material. Check it out at your nearest Home Despot or Lowe's.

 

[Hottish]

insulation board , tray, heat mats , 2 inch of sand with probe for stat buried in , pots

I'm looking for any I of anyone can offer on those propagation/heating mats (but not for propagation). The plants are up off the concrete floor but still get a bit too cold...

This site has tons of different heat mats - all different sizes and manufacturers. I was thinking of going with at least the 20x20 mats, but probably even bigger (like the 22x44 or the 21/22x48 inch).

http://www.thefind.com/garden/browse-seed-propagation-mat#settings[search.pagesize.multiplier]=3&page=1&local=0

Anyone used any of these? Any suggestions?
Also, if I get a thermostat for it, will that allow higher temps than without the thermostat? Or would that only allow me to turn the heat down? In other words - does anyone know if the mats put out maximum heat right out of the box? Or will a thermostat allow me to crank it up even higher?

There are just so many different models & manufacturers of these heat mats. I don't know which are good and which are garbage... (and I HATE wasting money! lol)

 

[IntelliGeneS]

The heat mats I've seen (admittedly mostly older) have been one heat setting, turned on and off by a temperature-probe-linked controller.

I wouldn't recommend using them as a frequent or permanent heating solution. They are primarily designed for germinating and growing seedlings. When I have tried using them, however, I found that some of them severely limit soil drainage. Also, I have seen them deteriorate to the point where they are a fire risk, so keep an eye on them if you decide to use them.

 

[dragunn]

I lined my floor with 2x2 gym mat squares.snap together like a puzzle.easy to cut to shape.you can buy them in a 4 pack.two different thicknesses.then I covered it with a 45 millimeter pond liner.
Id buy the thicker mat size if your in a cold area.
I put a few drops of silicone to hold the mats in place,didnt want anything shifting around.

 

[frankenstein2]

You could build a sub floor. Then leave one the ends open on it. Then you could hook up flexible ductwork to the lights and run it down to the subfloor. Attach a register vent to the flex duct and make it so it blows directly under the subfloor. That's how I would do it.

 

[Granger2]

The heat controller only turns the mat on and off. The mat runs as hot as it can when on.

A subfloor w/insulation is the way to go. I have to say that having anything electrical on the floor with water is just asking for it. Mats will deteriorate in time, and probaly fairly soon from what I've seen. Good luck. -granger

 

[dansbuds]

not to mention the fact that heat mats add heat to the room as well as the pots . you go adding a few heat mats under the pots & your room temps go up , now ya might have to upgrade the exhaust fan .

just insulate the floor the best ya can . theres been a bunch of suggestions thrown at ya , pick one & getter done