Posted Today, 06:13 PM Hi,I have grown twice before using soil with good results.I want to start soon with hydroponics this time using DWC. I have 2 reservoirs,bout 20 lts each and once the seedlings are ready will using a 400 watt metal halide for veg and 400 watt HPS for flowering.Usually I start later in the year when cold temps are not a problem.I will have the lights on during the night so the cold temps shouldnt be a problem but it's when the light will be off ,during the day are my concern. I'm in the UK,the daytime temps at this time of year vary from -3 to 7 degrees centigrade ( 27 to 45 degrees fahrenheit).I am growing in a tent in the garage,where there is a home heater boiler,this will raise the temps when it is on for a while first thing in the morning. What is the best way to keep the temps at the required level during the day? I have read that the temp range for the reservoirs should be 15-24 C ( 60-75 F ),would aquarium heaters achieve these temps? What bout the temps in the tent,what should they be? Can anyone help me with this? Sorry for the long winded question,cheers
I would think a small space heater inside the tent would work. Your water reservoir temp will always be greater than or equal to the ambient temperature of the space.
I have a 4x8 foot tent, and when the tent temp is 80 the res temp in each bucket is about 76 - 78. When its 76 in the room the res is about 72 to 73... I have never had a point where the res temps were higher then room temp. I even have a really hot pump, pumping air that is hotter then room temp into the water.
Have you considered using autos and running your lights 24/0? What is the coldest it gets in the tent? As long as it's not going below 15℃ it shouldn't be a problem. 'daytime temperature' is best between 20-30℃. You could put a heater in there set on a timer, reptile ceramic bulbs would work, or a reptile tubular heater if you need more heat
Thanks to all for answering.The hydro is quite new to me and I've never tried autos so maybe after this grow I'll give auto a go. I have an oil filled heater,not sure what size,should i consider putting it in or even outside the tent? Cheers.
First of all you need to take a temperature reading to see if anything needs doing. If you do need to heat it then the oil heater would be worth trying. I'm assuming its an electric heater? And not a paraffin oil heater? What wattage is it? When you first try it just keep an eye on the temperature. Aim a fan on it to keep the temperature as even as possible
Thanks Goldgrower,will just have to suck it and see.Should the heater,it's electric,be in or outside the tent?
Keep your room around 75 degrees and if doing dwc try to keep your reservoir 10 degrees colder than what your room is and have your reservoir outside your room Sent from my iPhone using Grasscity Forum
It depends how much the tent needs heating and how much heat the heater puts out. Does it have a thermostat? Outside the tent wouldn't be very efficient I doubt. But I don't know what your garage is like. if you have it outside the tent then I guess you could have the intake ducting right up against it so it's drawing in warm air
the res temp just has to be below 72, I cool mine down to 40 sometimes.I have done well with low temps. IMO