Seed Heat pads, way more trouble than there worth.

[BigBudE]

I ended up using the rest of my few seeds that i had wich were 5 SLH 5 Magus Motavation. I started them and for the most part it went great, a few started growing completely upside down, the root tail grew completely out of the ground. So i fixed those without much of a problem. After they started i put them in root riot cubes.
Then I wanted to give them a better start so i got a seed heat pad by hydrofarm pluged it in and put it under the flat. I misted/waterd the cubes reall good and didnt check on em for around 6-8 hours and when i checked on they were all fried and dead and that bullshit over priced pad was the reason becouse it was unbelievebly hot.
So, did I do something wrong or are these seed heating pads just bullshit?
BigBudE

 

[cazador]

They work Fine once you dial it in. The first time you try any new system there is always a trail preiod to get it right. Even switchig to a new fert i'll try it on one plant first to see how it will work. you needed to keep a better eye on them til you knew the results. They work fine in the winter to get things going but I often have to put a towel down first unless there on the cold floor. Sorry to hear about your plants. Don't give up.

 

[riddleme]

heat mat temp control device, mine cost $33 allows you to set the temp to the perfect setting and bam no problem, and actually seedlings do best at higher temps, I go between 85 & 95 also use it for clones set to 79

 

[Dwezelitsame]

yep yep U gotta have the thermostat or you run max all the time unit never cycles on off some products max around 100 some max even higher around 105 and 110

my beans were fruying at germ till i got my controller just set it and forget it the beans like about 80 and like it constant no highs and lows
and i found seedlings like prettymuch the same thing so i keep seeds to three week transplants on heating pad @ about 80

works fine for me

straight heating pad blasting @ you dont even know what tempatur no good take controll yoe will be happy again

its not the heatng pad thats bullshit ---go back to where you bought it and ask is there something thats supposed to go with it --dont mention theromastat or controller --just see what they say

good luck
1Luv

 

[BigBudE]

Thanks for the input everyone.
This is why i used to work with nothing but clones. With clones i knew what i was doing everytime and had no problems but got burnt out on the same strain every other month and seeds (at least for me) is the only way i can get any variety. Well, at least i know i wont have this problem again. Fool me once...
BigBudE

 

[Dwezelitsame]

prolly about 70%of plants that die are seedlings most time if it makes through seedling its going on till harvest time. YOu must be able to take seed from seeed to harvest or you are no grower. Get some cheap seeds to practice on then go for some serrious genetics the best you can afford.
Get the stuff you like go to reputable seed bank or breeder, always get good solid genetics.

1Luv

 

[freddiemoney]

If you don't have a thermostat for the pad you can use a layer of cardboard or cloth etc between the pad and your tray to control the heat. I always fill the bottom of a tray with about 3/8 of an inch of perlite, moisten it and leave a bit water in the bottom. Then I put another tray that is mesh on top of the perlite. I put my seeds/clones in their peat pucks or rockwool on top of that. The layer of water in the bottom will even out any hot spots on the heating pad and keep it nice and humid. My dome goes on top of that. You can just add more water to the perlite if it goes dry.

View attachment 1125055

 

[BigBudE]

prolly about 70%of plants that die are seedlings most time if it makes through seedling its going on till harvest time. YOu must be able to take seed from seeed to harvest or you are no grower. Get some cheap seeds to practice on then go for some serrious genetics the best you can afford.
Get the stuff you like go to reputable seed bank or breeder, always get good solid genetics.

1Luv

I know plenty of REAL growers that work with nothing but clones That have set ups like you wouldnt believe the size of warehouses But that does not make them any less of a grower becouse they use clones and not seeds. There are a hell of alot of growers that use clones and use seeds and are both just as good as the other so to say someones not a real grower becouse they use clones and not seeds is fucking retarded.
But yes i know what you mean (i think) Everyone is going to fuck up a seed or 5 learning the curb of it.
Peace.
BigBudE

 

[Dwezelitsame]

Well im just retarded ill take that im a little strange but i was kidding when i said that. I know all types of growers im truly not that narrow minded. It is an asset to you not to me to be able to take a seed from seed pack to jar cure as well as clone. To master your medium weather soil or hydro or anything else and grow anything thrown at you clone, sativa, seed, indica. If someone gives you a seed do you say no thanks i cant grow seeds this is a joke too, from now on ill say when its a joke so you dont have to fight back.

Im ftruly not a fighter i like to help am a little sarcastic but no harm intended unless ofended.

good luck to you
1Luv

 

[BigBudE]

Well im just retarded ill take that im a little strange but i was kidding when i said that. I know all types of growers im truly not that narrow minded. It is an asset to you not to me to be able to take a seed from seed pack to jar cure as well as clone. To master your medium weather soil or hydro or anything else and grow anything thrown at you clone, sativa, seed, indica. If someone gives you a seed do you say no thanks i cant grow seeds this is a joke too, from now on ill say when its a joke so you dont have to fight back.

Im ftruly not a fighter i like to help am a little sarcastic but no harm intended unless ofended.

good luck to you
1Luv

My bad, im having a bad day didnt mean you were actually retarded.
Peace

 

[BigBudE]

my little fuck up costed me around $150 its aggrevating

 

[Burger Boss]

So it comes down to, never use this:



Without this:





And both available here:>> http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MTPRTC-Digital-Thermostat-Heat/dp/B000NZZG3S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=outdoor&qid=1283107341&sr=1-1

Wishing ALL, Good luck & good grow.......BB

 

[BigBudE]

i definitely agree. I wish i would have found out more about them before getting the heat pad. I didnt even know they had a seperate adjustable thermostate, Hell you think they would incorperate that thermostate into the heat pad so its just 1 unit and sell it like that.
BigBudE

 

[Spanishfly]

I misted/waterd the cubes reall good and didnt check on em for around 6-8 hours and when i checked on they were all fried and dead and that bullshit over priced pad was the reason becouse it was unbelievebly hot.
So, did I do something wrong or are these seed heating pads just bullshit?

I use a heating mat, mostly for cactus seeds, my other growing obsession. Mine came from a pet store, not a ripoff grow shop, it is meant for heating reptile vivaria, is very thin, waterproof and cheap. It is only 20W, and I regulate it with a light dimmer (also cheapo). I spent some time checking what temperatures it stabilised to at which dimmer setting. It is brilliant.

You don´t say how many watts yours is, but to plug in a complete unknown with your expensive seeds and then leave it for hours is - well if I said trusting that would be kind.

 

[Burger Boss]

I use a heating mat, mostly for cactus seeds, my other growing obsession. Mine came from a pet store, not a ripoff grow shop, it is meant for heating reptile vivaria, is very thin, waterproof and cheap. It is only 20W, and I regulate it with a light dimmer (also cheapo). I spent some time checking what temperatures it stabilised to at which dimmer setting. It is brilliant.

You don´t say how many watts yours is, but to plug in a complete unknown with your expensive seeds and then leave it for hours is - well if I said trusting that would be kind.

THAT is the BEST idea I've seen in a long time! Substitute, a $30 thermostat, with a $5 light dimmer, OMG, + rep for you Fly.
Good luck & good grow.......BB

 

[freddiemoney]

Dimmers come in handy for fan control as well. Home thermostats which would run a baseboard heater and humidistats also work well for fan control. Just set the dial and let it worry about temps/humidity. Sorry to the OP for going off topic...

 

[BigBudE]

Dimmers come in handy for fan control as well. Home thermostats which would run a baseboard heater and humidistats also work well for fan control. Just set the dial and let it worry about temps/humidity. Sorry to the OP for going off topic...

A good idea that saves me money is always on topic
Im definitely going to have to try that out.
I have ? for you though. i have a inline fan and bought the seperate controller that the fan itself plugs into. I dont really need the controller so could i use that as a adjustable temp changer for the over priced grow heat pad???
Thanks for all the post everyone.
BigBudE

 

[BigBudE]

I use a heating mat, mostly for cactus seeds, my other growing obsession. Mine came from a pet store, not a ripoff grow shop, it is meant for heating reptile vivaria, is very thin, waterproof and cheap. It is only 20W, and I regulate it with a light dimmer (also cheapo). I spent some time checking what temperatures it stabilised to at which dimmer setting. It is brilliant.

You don´t say how many watts yours is, but to plug in a complete unknown with your expensive seeds and then leave it for hours is - well if I said trusting that would be kind.

I used to use a regular home heating pad that had a temp adjuster built in but for some stupid reason i thought a "grow heat pad" would work better. Also, the only reason i left them unchecked for so long was that the other 3 days i had it on i checked on them every 2-3 hours and wouldnt have to water again untill around 6 1/2 hours so i assumed it would continue on like that, untill i checked them and all were dead I never had a heating pad burn my hand before. The other days i had it on it never got that hot Good idea with the dimmer switch.
Peace
BigBudE

 

[freddiemoney]

A good idea that saves me money is always on topic
Im definitely going to have to try that out.
I have ? for you though. i have a inline fan and bought the seperate controller that the fan itself plugs into. I dont really need the controller so could i use that as a adjustable temp changer for the over priced grow heat pad???
Thanks for all the post everyone.
BigBudE

Is the fan controller you have just a little plastic box with a knob and an outlet? I would imagine it would do just fine to control the heat pad. I've never opened mine up, but I'd guess it's just a simple rheostat. The heat pads draw barely any power, and I control a 300+ watt fan with one of those controllers so I don't really see an issue.
You could do the same as Spanishfly, and use a thermometer to see which setting on the knob equates to what temperature and then mark off your useful settings.

 

[BigBudE]

Is the fan controller you have just a little plastic box with a knob and an outlet? I would imagine it would do just fine to control the heat pad. I've never opened mine up, but I'd guess it's just a simple rheostat. The heat pads draw barely any power, and I control a 300+ watt fan with one of those controllers so I don't really see an issue.
You could do the same as Spanishfly, and use a thermometer to see which setting on the knob equates to what temperature and then mark off your useful settings.

Thanks for your input. The fan controller box is as you described so i guess i'll gonna eventually try and figure out what the temps would be on the settings of the fan speed adjuster.
BigBudE