Aquarium propagator (with pics) updated!

[Mark]

Hey guys, so I have a 29 gallon empty fish tank outside. I wanted to turn into a propagator. I was wondering what I would need? A heat mat and lights? A timer? I want it to be pretty easy and simple.


I am not sure about the size of the tank, I can measure it tomorrow in the day.



Mark

[promethean_spark]

A pair or 12" reflectors with 23w cfl bulbs should do it. Tape white cardboard or paper to the outer walls to reflect light back in and insulate it a bit.

[Mark]

Thank you!! I can look for those items. So no heat mat???



Mark

[iann]

You'll need a heat mat if it doesn't get warm enough. With a little insulation and the lights inside it should get warm enough.

[hoteidoc]

Got started that some way 2 yrs ago, but had 2 end-to-end with twin 4' tubes. Works great!

[Mark]

Sweet!!! Thanks everyone!


Mark

[Mark]

How does this look? I still need to add the other light, for the other half.







Mark

[CactusFanDan]

Looks like a nice setup to me and the addition of another light should help too. Was that picture taken in a well-lit room? If so then that's probably a good amount of light.

[Mark]

No! It was actually in a dark hallway. :O But I have cardboard on the sides to provide insulation. I am trying to determine if I will need to get a heat mat. It doesn't seem to be getting to warm.



Mark

[hoteidoc]

Get a cheap $2 thermometer, set your light cycle up on timer & check temp a couple of hours into lighting & then near end for max. Generally like to hit @ 85 - 90F -- depending on species, low of 60 -65F. Lopho's & others like high end, (just recently found out) Haworthia @ 75F

[Alber khan]

I used to have a problem of temps in the summer being too high,now it's the opposite.No matter how hard I try the morning temp won't go above 20C and the night temp is at about +- 10C and its only the beginning of winter!

[hoteidoc]

Heat pad, Alber?

[Alber khan]

I thought of that but didn't end up using one.Instead,I replaced one of the 18W bulb with an incandescent bulb which provides sufficient heat.

[Mark]

hoteidoc, where do I find a thermometer?



Mark

[hoteidoc]

Local hardware store - compliments of People's Republic of China.