Heating my grow shed

[bassman999]

I am gonna grow outside in a very mildly insulated metal shed. It is already cold here in Cali. I want to find a VERY cheap way to keep my girls warm this winter.
I found this
http://akomadogproducts.com/estore/product_info.php?products_id=37&osCsid=ae6274b356040aeee9c90aaa5f24bed1

Can the plants see this kind of light? I will use the hps to heat them , and this to heat them when it is off.
If this isnt a good idea, does anybody have a better one? thanx

 

[tje22]

I would use one of those radiant oil heaters and run it of of a thermistat
try this link http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&aq=3&oq=radiant+oi&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4ADFA_enUS364US364&q=radiant+oil+heater#q=radiant+oil+heater&hl=en&rlz=1T4ADFA_enUS364US364&prmd=ivs&source=univ&tbs=shop:1&tbo=u&ei=sxzgTPWqKYeynwf-09DODw&sa=X&oi=product_result_group&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CC4QrQQwAA&biw=1259&bih=507&fp=6a5522c36838bbe

 

[bassman999]

I would use one of those radiant oil heaters and run it of of a thermistat
try this link http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&aq=3&oq=radiant+oi&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4ADFA_enUS364US364&q=radiant+oil+heater#q=radiant+oil+heater&hl=en&rlz=1T4ADFA_enUS364US364&prmd=ivs&source=univ&tbs=shop:1&tbo=u&ei=sxzgTPWqKYeynwf-09DODw&sa=X&oi=product_result_group&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CC4QrQQwAA&biw=1259&bih=507&fp=6a5522c36838bbe

I was trying to draw less power than that, and keep it small so it will fit in my little partition. thanx for the link, and I will see if there is a small enough one for my purpose.

 

[tje22]

no problem. whats the temps dropping to at night? what are they running during the day?

 

[bassman999]

I am still under construction, and they r in my tub right now. They are too big tho and need to get out now. temp outside is around 40* at night sometimes lower, daytime is around 58-68* I think.

 

[bassman999]

I have been researching and it seems infrared might be bad for plants, but still not sure if they see it.

 

[karr]

what about the small ceramic type heaters from walmart? the ones im thinking of are less than a square foot, and have something called cool touch, so things that touch them dont get hot/catch fire.

also remember that all these heaters will list high wattage, but that is when the thing is on full blast which, depending on insulation, is most likely not needed. They usually turn on for a few minutes to maintain the temp, then turn off for a while. On medium or low setting(considering it is a small room i am guessing) im sure it would draw much less.

The best thing you can do is buy some "Great Stuff", its an expanding foam that seals cracks and holes. Use it to fill any and all cracks and holes in the hut. Where the roof meets the walls, walls to ground, and ALL holes and cracks even around windows. Then on the inside roll up some insulation that can also be had at home depot. Your main goal will not be generating heat but keeping it in. Conversely you can fill the walls with hay if you have access to them, but if they are bare just roll new insulation up in between the studs then put some drywall up over top(if you want to do it right). Dont forget the ceiling/attic. make sure you have that well insulated as well and any vents in it plugged.

 

[kudaross]

I'm growing in a shed too. I use a little radiant oil heaters that tje suggested. This way gives you ultimate control of the temperature, and it's very cheap. My heater has a 600w/900w combo so it can reach up to 1500w', but that is way overkill. All i do is turn on the 600w setting, and put the nob at less than 1 (like .5) and it more than enough to make the plants happy, while probably using less than 50 watts.

My point is, you would have complete control with a heater with thermostat control without drawing all that power. The temps now only get to about 30 at night, but in the winter the low can get below 0. I don't know if this is the same for you, but it's a life savor for me. I'll probably have to bump the setting up to 2 or 3. Hope this helps.

 

[SirXloin]

I have a similar set up. I use This:
http://www.amazon.com/WIN100-Heating-Cooling-Programmable-Thermostat/dp/B000E7NYY8
set at 70. It controls a the same heater kudaross uses.

I have also seen a thermostat control made by C.A.P.

 

[bassman999]

thanx guys this is great info. I really like the thermostat a/c outlet.

I have some insulation in the shed already, but not much just some 1" Styrofoam on all the walls and ceiling covered with that thin wood paneling shit.

So 70* is an ideal temp for them?

 

[bassman999]

I'm growing in a shed too. I use a little radiant oil heaters that tje suggested. This way gives you ultimate control of the temperature, and it's very cheap. My heater has a 600w/900w combo so it can reach up to 1500w', but that is way overkill. All i do is turn on the 600w setting, and put the nob at less than 1 (like .5) and it more than enough to make the plants happy, while probably using less than 50 watts.

My point is, you would have complete control with a heater with thermostat control without drawing all that power. The temps now only get to about 30 at night, but in the winter the low can get below 0. I don't know if this is the same for you, but it's a life savor for me. I'll probably have to bump the setting up to 2 or 3. Hope this helps.

Does it get hot where u r in the summer? If so how do you keep the shed from getting too hot?

 

[kudaross]

Does it get hot where u r in the summer? If so how do you keep the shed from getting too hot?

Unless I get an A/C, there would be no way I could grow in the shed in summers. It's been in the 50's here during the day, but we had a warmup last week and it was in the 70's. If I was to leave the door closed, it would get 100F in there without a doubt. This is my first grow, so I was lucky to start in the fall. The light adds about 20F degrees, so I'm blessed to have a natural cooling system

 

[FootClan]

what about the small ceramic type heaters from walmart? the ones im thinking of are less than a square foot, and have something called cool touch, so things that touch them dont get hot/catch fire.

also remember that all these heaters will list high wattage, but that is when the thing is on full blast which, depending on insulation, is most likely not needed. They usually turn on for a few minutes to maintain the temp, then turn off for a while. On medium or low setting(considering it is a small room i am guessing) im sure it would draw much less.

The best thing you can do is buy some "Great Stuff", its an expanding foam that seals cracks and holes. Use it to fill any and all cracks and holes in the hut. Where the roof meets the walls, walls to ground, and ALL holes and cracks even around windows. Then on the inside roll up some insulation that can also be had at home depot. Your main goal will not be generating heat but keeping it in. Conversely you can fill the walls with hay if you have access to them, but if they are bare just roll new insulation up in between the studs then put some drywall up over top(if you want to do it right). Dont forget the ceiling/attic. make sure you have that well insulated as well and any vents in it plugged.

View attachment 1267878

I tyed the "heat emmiters" for added heat they dont worky verywell for how much watts they use.....i was using 4 of them in a 3.5 x 3.5 area and it only got 5 degress warmer in there and it was using like 400w of power just to get that extra 5 degrees hotter not worth it at all...

 

[bassman999]

I tyed the "heat emmiters" for added heat they dont worky verywell for how much watts they use.....i was using 4 of them in a 3.5 x 3.5 area and it only got 5 degress warmer in there and it was using like 400w of power just to get that extra 5 degrees hotter not worth it at all...

thanx for that, guess they r supposed to be for pets in the doghouse or reptiles, just SMALL areas.

 

[bassman999]

Unless I get an A/C, there would be no way I could grow in the shed in summers. It's been in the 50's here during the day, but we had a warmup last week and it was in the 70's. If I was to leave the door closed, it would get 100F in there without a doubt. This is my first grow, so I was lucky to start in the fall. The light adds about 20F degrees, so I'm blessed to have a natural cooling system

I wasnt sure what the light would do for heat, great info. What size is your shed, or just the grow area in there if it is divided

 

[kudaross]

The flowering room is about 6 x 10. What size light are you going to be using?

Is your shed in a hidden place? There is no doubt the plants benefit from leaving the door open for a little sometimes, as all the air can be recycled with co2 rich air. Again, the benefits of growing in a shed, because you don't need a ventilation system as if you were growing in a basement or closet.

 

[bassman999]

The flowering room is about 6 x 10. What size light are you going to be using?

Is your shed in a hidden place? There is no doubt the plants benefit from leaving the door open for a little sometimes, as all the air can be recycled with co2 rich air. Again, the benefits of growing in a shed, because you don't need a ventilation system as if you were growing in a basement or closet.

I got my light now. I am running a 600 watt hps, the area is very open so no open doors for me...lol. I am gonna cut some holes and run in and out fans tomorrow.

Today was actually hot, and the shed was so hot with the light on!! I am gonna run the light at night now though.

 

[kudaross]

good idea, just make sure you conceal the light to the shed so no one outside can see it.

 

[bassman999]

good idea, just make sure you conceal the light to the shed so no one outside can see it.

The light really shows, I have some work ahead to block it. I will do something though.

Gonna use 2 of these one in and one opposite side as out.

 

[bassman999]

I run my light from 7pm till 7am. I was hoping that would keep the girls warm over night, and then the day would be warm enough to keep em warm till the light comes on again. I went in there this morning at 6am and it was only 60* in there with the light on. So I def have to buy a heater!