This year I moved my seed starting setup to our uninsulated porch. Porch is 13' x 16' cement pad that sits 3' below ground level and is surrounded by windows on 2 sides. They called it a sun room but it doesn't get very much sun.
Our house is small and we really needed the space inside. Now that the porch is mine, I plan to build a second grow box for flowers. However, both setups are now subject to midwest temp swings. In the winter, the porch temp is usually 20-30F above the ambient outdoor temp.
Grow box dimensions:
60" L x 18" W x 29" H
The box is insulated on all six sides by 1" of exterior foam board insulation and tape. An eight inch fan circulates air on its lowest setting.
The box is lit by 6 T8 bulbs spanning the 60" L and the full 18" W. These are on 24/7 for heat. It's very inefficient but my only option at the moment.
I have a seedling starter heat mat and temperature controller under my germ tray.
Problem 1: Heat
I need a better way of maintaining the box temperature so I can run the lights 18 on 6 off. I don't feel comfortable running a cheap indoor space heater on a temperature controller. That seems like a huge fire hazard and most are overkill for such a small space. Is there such thing as a small, self regulating greenhouse heater? I am also thinking about lining the bottom with one big heating mat and a temperature controller. I'm not sure if this would generate enough ambient heat above the soil. I could also insulate the porch and heat it but that doesn't exactly fit my budget at the moment. I'm very interested in other suggestions/solutions.
Problem 2: Watering tray
It really sucks individually watering a 60" x 18" space filled with solo cups. Standard greenhouse trays will fit but will lead to wasted space. Has anyone had luck building a waterproof 'tray' for bottom watering? Keep in mind compatibility with a heating solution.
Design improvement: Light
The 6 T8 bulbs have been great for seedlings, but I would like to run one of the two boxes all year for fresh pods. HID, be it CMH, HPS or MH, isn't exactly suited for my grow box dimensions. I don't think the benefits of upgrading to a T5 setup would be worth the cost. At this point I am thinking LED and make vs buy. I might just bite the bullet and orderone of these and call it done. I'll continue reading on this subject as it is not an immediate problem like the other two. Again open for suggestions.
Another idea:
Maybe this is a situation of the tail wagging the dog. Rather than building a second, identical shelf, maybe I should get a tent and run HPS or MH. Use the tent for over winter and my current shelf for starting seedlings.
Thanks for reading through this,
Nick
EDIT 1: clarified some points under light
EDIT 2: another idea section added
EDIT 3: porch dimensions
EDIT 4: Platinum LED appears to be re branded Eshine https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4qJRZ6LGtI
Our house is small and we really needed the space inside. Now that the porch is mine, I plan to build a second grow box for flowers. However, both setups are now subject to midwest temp swings. In the winter, the porch temp is usually 20-30F above the ambient outdoor temp.
Grow box dimensions:
60" L x 18" W x 29" H
The box is insulated on all six sides by 1" of exterior foam board insulation and tape. An eight inch fan circulates air on its lowest setting.
The box is lit by 6 T8 bulbs spanning the 60" L and the full 18" W. These are on 24/7 for heat. It's very inefficient but my only option at the moment.
I have a seedling starter heat mat and temperature controller under my germ tray.
Problem 1: Heat
I need a better way of maintaining the box temperature so I can run the lights 18 on 6 off. I don't feel comfortable running a cheap indoor space heater on a temperature controller. That seems like a huge fire hazard and most are overkill for such a small space. Is there such thing as a small, self regulating greenhouse heater? I am also thinking about lining the bottom with one big heating mat and a temperature controller. I'm not sure if this would generate enough ambient heat above the soil. I could also insulate the porch and heat it but that doesn't exactly fit my budget at the moment. I'm very interested in other suggestions/solutions.
Problem 2: Watering tray
It really sucks individually watering a 60" x 18" space filled with solo cups. Standard greenhouse trays will fit but will lead to wasted space. Has anyone had luck building a waterproof 'tray' for bottom watering? Keep in mind compatibility with a heating solution.
Design improvement: Light
The 6 T8 bulbs have been great for seedlings, but I would like to run one of the two boxes all year for fresh pods. HID, be it CMH, HPS or MH, isn't exactly suited for my grow box dimensions. I don't think the benefits of upgrading to a T5 setup would be worth the cost. At this point I am thinking LED and make vs buy. I might just bite the bullet and order
Another idea:
Maybe this is a situation of the tail wagging the dog. Rather than building a second, identical shelf, maybe I should get a tent and run HPS or MH. Use the tent for over winter and my current shelf for starting seedlings.
Thanks for reading through this,
Nick
EDIT 1: clarified some points under light
EDIT 2: another idea section added
EDIT 3: porch dimensions
EDIT 4: Platinum LED appears to be re branded Eshine https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4qJRZ6LGtI