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Low temperature room, cheap ideas?

MDB

New member
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]I have the problem that i can't afford an HPS because the ballast is too much expensive..
And it consume a lot of electricity.. I have about 400/500 real watt divided in 6 lamps(2 main lamps and 4 others at the corner)..
I have to increase the temperature in the room because my grow box is about 120/130cm x 120/130cm for 150cm in height and this is going to be in the middle of the room e i prefer to not use a eletronic heater inside the grow box.. But this is still a project, i bought everything and i only have to build the grow box, i thought to do a structure in wood and make the walls made in layers (external large tent + polyethylene foam (At least i thing this is the word in english) + internal mylar tent, maybe also add an external wall of wood of the more external layer)..
The room has 8°C and about 70% humidity..
What do you suggest?
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anon0988

Member
You might not want to go with electric heat, but that's probably going to be your best option for a small space. I just picked up a cheapo electric ceramic heater from Walmart for ~$20. It has a temp setting and will turn on and off automatically to maintain the temp you set it at.
 

Sativa Dragon

Active member
Veteran
If you saved and Saved an HPS would solve all your issues.

With that kinda humidity I hate to say your wasting your time without a dehumidifier, unless you want to battle mold etc.

Peace
 

Cool Moe

Active member
Veteran
i've got a similar problem with a seasonally cold basement. don't wanna heat the whole basement and don't want a space heater in the tent. hps would be helpful with lights on but still won't solve your problem when lights are off. haven't done it yet but i've considered putting a heat mat (like the ones used for seedlings, only bigger) under a sheet of metal under the tent, with the thought being that the heat would disperse through the metal sheet and keep the pots (roots) at a notably warmer temp. possibly a cheap solution without the fire hazard or high power consumption of a space heater.
 

Sativa Dragon

Active member
Veteran
Before you buy a heater.

If you can enclose a 60watt incandescent in a box with air from a fan flowing over it hooked up to a thermostat, all in a light proof box you will solve some heating issues on lights off.

Other option would be to build a room insulated with R rated Styrofoam to contain the works, more work but it will solve a lot of issues.

HPS kicks out loads of heat.

Use it

Peace
 

Jhhnn

Active member
Veteran
For a winter grow in a cool environment one of the true autoflowers would work well. Just leave the lights on all the time, adjust vent fan speed to give the desired temp inside the tent. Relative humidity goes down as the temp goes up, because warm air will hold a lot more moisture. Here in Denver, where the air is relatively dry in the first place, indoor winter humidity levels are often extremely low because of that.

Coming back to growing after many years' absence, I started with Samsara Ultraviolet, damned nice smoke. Even though I've grown several others since, it's still a favorite, held in special reserve.

Try it- you'll like it.
 

al70

Well-known member
electric blankets for the bed are cheap on the bay, cheap to run, some are temp controlled, goodluck.
 
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