VIVOSUN 10"x20.75" Seedling Heat Mat and Digital Thermostat Combo Set MET Standard

You can invest in a small space heater otherwise a lot of people use this style heating pad since it has a thermometer (inaccurate but with an independent thermometer - works well).

This is what I started using and its great so far.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016MKY7C8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_p2-PFbA46JB7A

Looks like it's on the right track! As for temp, you can get a seedling heating mat for relatively cheap. Im sure they have something like this on Amazon's UK site. Make sure to get the temp controller too.

I have this in a cabinet for the winter.

I kept reading a lot of places that it wouldn’t work, but I had a heat mat so I tried anyway.

I have 2 AeroGardens one in my house and one in my much colder garage. They were planted both at the same time. The ones in the house germinated at about 7 days. The garage had almost no activity, not even a root hook. So I threw the heat mat under it with the thermostat probe dangled in the water reservoir through the little hole they have in the top that you’d normally place the extra water tank tube through. I set it to 85 degrees and after about a day you could see condensation in the domes. I measured the temp of the sponges and they were at around 82-84. All have sprouted and have almost overtaken the ones in my house in size. So yes long story short it works great!

VIVOSUN 10"x20.75" Seedling Heat Mat and Digital Thermostat Combo Set MET Standard https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016MKY7C8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glc_fabc_qSq3FbEP4P9GP

I've been using a heating pad and cake tupperware lid as a makeshift proofing box, which wasn't accurate (4 heat settings) and annoying with its 2-hr shutoff.

$28 for this seed germination mat + thermostat combo and a free styrofoam cooler from my mom for this 2.0 version. Totally exceeded my expectations! It went from 65F to 82F in 45 min, and my infrared thermometer tells me it's accurate.

Can't quite tell from the pics, but some heat from a heat mat or other source will help speed up germination (if you're not already doing so and the environment is on the cool side).

And, not required, but if you do use a heat mat, I recommend also using a thermostat to help keep from cooking your seeds. I started off without one my first year and found the temp had risen to 95-100°F in the dome!

For reference, this is a combination I've been using, and it's served well so far:

Heat Mat + Thermostat Combo

Also, a bit late at this point, but soaking your seeds for 12-24 hours also helps expedite germination and reduce the risk of helmet heads (keeping the soil moist, as you're doing with the domes, helps with this too). Options include a dilute peroxide solution, weak chamomile tea, plain water, and more.

Anyway, nice setup and best of luck with the next generation! 🌶️🔥

My house has similar temps in the winter, so I put my kraut crock in the garage and wrap a seed starting warming pad around it and set it to 62°F.

I've found any warmer than that and the kraut loses its crunch, and too much colder and it doesn't develop the level of funkiness I prefer.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016MKY7C8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_PuAOEbHASR27K

Or something like this

You might want to look into getting an incubation heating mat! I got this one since my apartment gets really cold in the winter. It's less than $30 and lets you set a temperature, so you can have a more controlled ferment.

I use one of these under a sterilite tub

You can get the mat and thermostat combo.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016MKY7C8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_WmK2Fb8JVV5S7?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Something like that might work wrapped around the mars enclosure, either inside or outside of it.

I use this $35 seed germination mat+temp control. Set it up under the fermenter, then wrapped it up in a blanket and tucked the probe in the blanket near the middle.

My seed germination mat uses 20 watts to directly apply the heat to the place where I want it (a 10"x20" area conducting heat directly into the tub).

A space heater uses 1440 watts to blow warm air, warming up the whole room.

Not only is a seed mat far more efficient at keeping the tub at the right temp, it uses 70x less power to accomplish that same task.

For anyone who thinks this may not be significant:

Let's assume your power company charges you $0.10 per kWh (which is low in most places, but let's just use that for easy math).

A space heater runs at 1440 watts, which comes out to $0.144 per hour (I'll even round down to a flat $0.14 give this space heater the advantage). Let's say your space heater has to run 6 hours a day (15 minutes on / 45 minutes off) for 6 weeks throughout the grow. That puts the space heater cost at $0.84 per day, or $36.54 for the 6 weeks.

Even though the seed mat is more efficient at transferring the heat and it probably will not need to run all day, let's just say it needs to run 24 hours a day (worst possible case scenario), that is 480 watts per day... let's round the seed mat up to 500 watts per day (again, for easy math) and obviously still use the same $0.10 per kWh as above. That puts the seed mat cost at most at $0.05 per day, or $2.01 for the 6 weeks.

The first time you use it you save at least $34.50. In fact, you could buy a new mat every time you grow and still come out ahead.

VIVOSUN 10"x20.75" Seedling Heat Mat and Digital Thermostat Combo Set MET Standard https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016MKY7C8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_nABuEbJ3M9ZBH

Hope the link works... I'm on mobile. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016MKY7C8?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

I keep them at 85.

heating pad with very low settings

They make heating pads that can be set to lower temperatures that could be used under their enclosure. They are usually used for seedlings. I’d just make sure to completely secure cords out of their reach.

I'd guess not much, especially at 90 degrees in an insulated box, in the middle of summer. It's probably in the specs on the manufacturers site. https://www.amazon.com/VIVOSUN-Seedling-Digital-Thermostat-Standard/dp/B016MKY7C8/

Got the bin at Walmart, the dish rack at Target, and the seed mat:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016MKY7C8/ref=cm_sw_r_apa_i_k7rGEbMRRHAJ4

It's the 10x20 Vivosun and I think so. I don't know much about heat pads, but the price was right and it seems to be working great. I decided to pay a little more and get it with the thermostat based on peoples' experiences with the pad running a too hot indoors without it, and it seems does a good job of keeping the temperature even.

Buy a heat pad and then buy a temp switch to control to your desire or buy a bundle, use bag pots to increase efficiency and not have potential problems of heating up plastic pots.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016MKY7C8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fabt1_Je2SFb8RPPPDA?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Yup. You can do a search on amazon for heat mat or seeding mat. Some come with the thermostat and some are just the mat. Thermostat has a sensor cable that you can tape to the side of the fermentation container or put in a glass of water in the cooler if you have room or set on top of your cloth lid and just do ambient temps.

Here’s one to get your search started. It should get you in the right area so you can travel down the rabbit hole of similar products.

VIVOSUN 10"x20.75" Seedling Heat Mat and Digital Thermostat Combo Set MET Standard https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016MKY7C8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_PUwBEb4PGXRBY

I use a seedling mat from amazon. I put the thermostat sensor between the bag and the mat, set for about 78 degrees.

this one:https://www.amazon.com/VIVOSUN-Seedling-Digital-Thermostat-Standard/dp/B016MKY7C8/ref=zg_bs_14252891_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=8AM0G3HWM7R0Y67VXE9C

I ended up getting this one: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016MKY7C8/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_zwIDFb62CHAAM

I’m in Maine, so it’s been cold for a couple of months now. I got this: VIVOSUN 10"x20.75" https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016MKY7C8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fabc_qkmXFbB58NRYC?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1 - not sure if it’s available via Canadian Amazon, but I can’t see why it wouldn’t be..

I set the temp on the controller to 75F, and wrapped it around my 1 gallon jar (it covers, no problem). I put a wide elastic band around it all to hold it in place, and then to protect against drafts, I put a thin towel around it, with a clothes pin holding that on.

After that worked out really well for the first part of the ferment, I got this thinner one https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073PTZCJ4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fabc_9rmXFbK1XHZH8?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1 that I put in a cooler with the bottles for a couple of days when I bottle. I’ll move them around once a day to make sure they’re all getting some of the good heat, etc. If you have a warm place to put your bottles, you may not need an extra warming pad, but my house won’t be a constant 70F until probably May/June.

https://www.amazon.com/VIVOSUN-Seedling-Digital-Thermostat-Standard/dp/B016MKY7C8/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=VIVOSUN+10%22x20.75%22+Seedling+Heat+Mat+and+Digital+Thermostat+Combo+Set+MET+Standard&qid=1586012221&sr=8-1

What's the temperature like? You might want a heat mat (something like this: https://www.amazon.com/VIVOSUN-Seedling-Digital-Thermostat-Standard/dp/B016MKY7C8/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=heat+mats&qid=1585965848&sr=8-5)

I'm using this:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016MKY7C8

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...underneath both jars side-by-side. No need to wrap around the jars. I attach the temp probe to the outside of the jar with its suction cup. You have to spend a day to two adjusting to find the best setting. Of course, your temp will be depend on ambient temp of the room. I set mine at 80 and the jars stay around 76.

You can also get a seedling heat pad with temp control and thermometer for 38 bucks on amazon. Its twice the price, but you can easily control/track tempature with it https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B016MKY7C8/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A2PQGFJXAT8J9K&psc=1

I always use a heat mat thermostat under a tray with cells.

VIVOSUN 10"x20.75" Seedling Heat Mat and Digital Thermostat Combo Set MET Standard https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016MKY7C8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_67TqEbB0AAWZY

Seed Starter Kit 72 Cell Extra Strength, 2 Pack - 1020 Tray, Humidity Dome, Plug Tray Starting Trays for Seedling Germination https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01KTO6G5E/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_48TqEbYTAPKG5

I have had almost a 100 percent success rate. And bad times ordering off ebay. Some of those sellers send you the seeds in a white envelope you would send a letter to a prison penpal with. By the time they get to ya the seeds are all busted and worthless. Heres what i use:

I start my seeds in these

General Hydroponics HGC714135 Rapid Rooter Plant Starters, 50 Plugs https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002IU8K2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_fNBOEbRTXR9RW

I use a temp controlled heating pad:

VIVOSUN 10"x20.75" Seedling Heat Mat and Digital Thermostat Combo Set MET Standard https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016MKY7C8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_TPBOEb8WRDMCB

These seed starter trays because your able to get the thermometer from the heating pad into the top vents easily.

KORAM 10 Sets Seed Starter Tray 120 Cells Seed Tray Plant Germination Kit Garden Seed Starting Tray with Dome and Base Plus Plant Tags Hand Tool Kit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LX0JBUU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_hQBOEb8KN00TY

And under these lights

Led Grow Light Strip for Indoor Plants, Full Spectrum Auto On & Off Grow Lamp with Timer/Extension Cables Plant Lights Bar 4 Dimmable Levels for Indoor Plants Tent Seedling Hydroponics - 6 Pack https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Q833RK1/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_wRBOEbVGGYNJA

Wish i would have gotten better lights though. The time button stopped working on it and i cant use it with my other light timer because you physically have to hit the button once it has power to kick them on.

Hope this helps at least for future attempts. I have struggled with germination in the past too. Those hydroponic plugs for the seeds have worked for me in dirt as well. I am doing both in my garden.

1. Are there any routes for the light to reach the water? There shouldn't be. Algae need light to photosynthesize just as plants do. In fact, more of our oxygen comes from algae than comes from our three trillion trees. However, be sure not to block the air's routes to the roots.
2. Seeds should germinate under an opaque black dome for the first several days, until they break the "surface", before going under the humidity dome.
3. Has the algae developed over the course of one batch of seeds, or many? That is, are you cleaning it off between batches and it's regrowing?
4. If it's multigenerational, consider adding a little bleach to your inter-generation cleaning regimen. Just be sure it's all gone before replanting! :)
5. If it's all growing within one batch, either look for how the light is getting to the water, or consider getting a different kind of light, or maybe it's just a bad tray.

What equipment are you using? I have excellent results germinating with:

• These 1020 trays: 1020 starter tray, inside a 1020 non-holey tray, under a humidity dome
• This 1020 net pot tray I sometimes use as an intermediary stage between germination and final container.
• This heat mat with thermostat

My process is:

1. 2-6 seeds per 1" rock wool cube, depending on seed size. For really small seeds, I just add a "pinch" of seeds, rather than counting out the tiny specs of dust.
2. Rockwools go into the 1020 starter tray
3. Starter tray goes into the 1020 non-holey tray
4. Non-holey tray goes under another 1020 non-holey tray, upside down on top of it, to block all light. Seeds germinate underground, where it's dark.
5. I add plain tap water up to about 1/2" above the bottom of the rock wool cubes
6. I mist the top of the seedlings twice a day with plain tap water.
7. After the seedlings break the "surface", I:
8. Replace the black dome with a clear humidity dome
9. Put the seedling under full light, on a 15/9-hour daily timer, under these freestanding T5s or these hanging T5s or these T8 LEDs. All three have produced similar results for me so - far, so it doesn't seem to matter much which one you use, so far.
10. Stop misting it
11. The clear humidity dome has airflow adjustments. They start fully closed, and I open them gradually over the next week or two.
12. Once the seedling's first "true leaves" have become large enough to photosynthesize, I:
13. Remove the dome
14. Move the rock wool cube to a 2", 3", or 4" net cup, depending on the size of the future plant and the container I plan to put it into
15. Surround the space between the rock wool cube and the net cup with Hydroton clay pellets.
16. Install net cup in final container, with full nutrient solution, which consists of the recipe on the MasterBlend packaging, then adjusted to a pH of around 6.0.
17. As the plant grows, I:
18. Prune off any diseased, sickly, or otherwise deficient-looking leaves.
19. Pinch when ready, if it's Basil or any Basil-style-growing plant that has the similar side shoots.
20. "Train" the plant to grow the direction I want, if it's a larger plant like tomatoes or peppers
21. If it's transplantable (e.g. tomatoes), Once the plant reaches maturity, I start looking for pieces to cut off and transplant into a new container.

I don't have algae anymore, since I stopped using mason jars with no cover. I've graduated to larger containers, but I still use the mason jars; I just cover the glass entirely in thick black duct tape.

I never reuse net cups, rock wool, or clay pellets. These materials are cheap enough that it just isn't worth the time to clean them in between batches. However, I do rinse and reuse 1020 trays and other containers.

Yep.

https://www.amazon.com/Macddy-Temperature-Germination-Fermentation-serviceable/dp/B07ZN6996L/ref=sr_1_17?crid=13A92JNUE725D&keywords=seed+heating+mats+with+thermostat&qid=1583949093&sprefix=heating+mat+with+therm%2Caps%2C238&sr=8-17

https://www.amazon.com/Seedling-Thermostat-Controller-Germination-Propagation/dp/B07ZSZHSDZ/ref=sr_1_23?crid=13A92JNUE725D&keywords=seed+heating+mats+with+thermostat&qid=1583949093&sprefix=heating+mat+with+therm%2Caps%2C238&sr=8-23

https://www.amazon.com/EACHON-Thermostat-Controller-Waterproof-Themostat/dp/B07Z3QFN7R/ref=sr_1_24?crid=13A92JNUE725D&keywords=seed+heating+mats+with+thermostat&qid=1583949093&sprefix=heating+mat+with+therm%2Caps%2C238&sr=8-24

https://www.amazon.com/VIVOSUN-Seedling-Digital-Thermostat-Standard/dp/B016MKY7C8/ref=sr_1_29?crid=13A92JNUE725D&keywords=seed+heating+mats+with+thermostat&qid=1583949093&sprefix=heating+mat+with+therm%2Caps%2C238&sr=8-29

I use the last one, but they're all the same, just different manufacturers slapping together the same parts. Don't put your grain or substrate directly on top of the mat. Contain your heat and humidity in a larger chamber. Here's mine for reference, modify to your liking if you choose: https://www.reddit.com/r/shrooms/comments/ep6utv/my_winter_setup/

Bucket + Lid:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/5-Gal-Black-Bucket-05GLBLK/205952080

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Leaktite-5-Gal-Reusable-Bucket-Lid-6GLDBLK30/202264045

Lighting:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00UI1DVP2/

Lighting add ons (this is the same as CCTV and a lot of PC peripherals so you might be good already):

https://www.amazon.com/LightingWill-Solderless-2Conductor-Connector-Single/dp/B01DM7HCAI/

https://www.amazon.com/LightingWill-Solderless-2Conductor-Connector-Single/dp/B01DM7HOAG/

https://www.amazon.com/LEDMO-Power-Supply-Transformers-Adapter/dp/B01461MOGQ/

Optional seedling mat (if you have cold ambient temperature issues):

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B016MKY7C8/

Make a strip light ring around the inner rim about 1 “ from the top to leave room for the lid. Make hole or slot for the wire. Tape wiring in place to keep weight and flex from pulling the lights off. If using a seedling mat, the thermostat probe can go through this hole as well. Use a lighting timer if desired. That’s it.