Safe heaters for grow tent?

[Budclarkson]

I used oil radiator heaters since I first started growing. In my last grow, however, I started using a turntable to rotate one of my plants about a quarter of a turn every day. That worked well, but I noticed the side of the pot facing the heater was always much drier than the other sides of the pot. My guess is that the radiant heat was drying the soil. So, this time I'm using a smaller heater in my 2x2 tent. It only has an on/off switch, so it needs a controller. I've been testing it in an empty tent for a few days and it seems to be working well. It's small enough to point the air flow away from the pot. I am still using an oil radiator heater in my larger tent.

View attachment 2098331
Also, it uses about 150 less watts than the oil radiator heater it replaced. The radiator uses about 650 watts and this one uses about 500 watts.

Metal grills get hot, no?

Sticking with ceramic heater with cool enclosures.

Going to try that personal Vornado posted earlier. Hope it’s not too much airflow.

 

[LoveGrowingIt]

Metal grills get hot, no?

Not too hot to touch. The environment controller would shut off the power to the heater if the inside of the tent became too hot. So, it's probably safer to put the heater inside the tent if there isn't a controller in the lung room.

Sticking with ceramic heater with cool enclosures.

The one I suggested is a ceramic heater and doesn't cost much.

Going to try that personal Vornado posted earlier. Hope it’s not too much airflow.

Sounds good.

 

[cannafarmer420]

Fire hazards are a huge concern with everything I have considered. Second is the cost to run it. I may just have to deal with it in the cold months and see if I can still get a decent harvest. Summer temps should be perfect in that space.

I really appreciate all the input and ideas here.

I got a reasonable one that I use for my lung room and it has worked well.

 

[LexLuthor]

Have you considered using an HID lamp in the winter? It would definitely warm up the tent more than an LED light.

 

[Cannaburg]

I have a grow tent setup in the basement. It is hard to keep the tent temperature above 50°. I don't want anything that is dangerous around the tent or in it. Is there a safe heater that does not run up the electric bill that I could use? I am assuming it is best to place the outside the tent? I am brand new to this. Thanks for any help! Pictures of my girls.

So I have this for my dog at work....


Space Heater, Upgrade 1500W... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09D3R4K38?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share


The best way I would recommend is having 2 inline fans.... put 1 inline fan at bottom blowing in with heater in front of fan a few feet back.... and your regular 1 for exhaust

 

[Glassdub]

Using, eats a lot of power & a bit dry with mist humidifier, but keeps a 5x5, in mid 70s 60s rh but will only need until the rspec scorpion light goes in and will heat itself.
Using in eco mode, has safety shut off features, everything in life is risk.

Amazon.com

 

[SquaadFather]

I believe space heaters including the small ones use a constant wattage to constantly heat a dry element. Higher energy use and fire hazard than an oil radiator. An oil radiator will cycle down once it reaches temp and the oil radiates heat longer.

I use a 700w radiator with a fan blowing directly on to heat my shed from 40-50F up to 60-75F currently. Upgrading to a larger model to try to maintain closer to 70-80f.

 

[Glassdub]

I believe space heaters including the small ones use a constant wattage to constantly heat a dry element. Higher energy use and fire hazard than an oil radiator. An oil radiator will cycle down once it reaches temp and the oil radiates heat longer.

I use a 700w radiator with a fan blowing directly on to heat my shed from 40-50F up to 60-75F currently. Upgrading to a larger model to try to maintain closer to 70-80f.

My heater heats down regularly in eco mode to set temp, thermostat is inaccurate but I adjust accordingly.
Not constant wattage it ebbs and flows.

 

[HyTymes]

Have you considered using an HID lamp in the winter? It would definitely warm up the tent more than an LED light.

I am interested in this idea. Can you recommend a HID lamp that would be good?

 

[LexLuthor]

I am interested in this idea. Can you recommend a HID lamp that would be good?

I haven't used HID in YEARS, but they still have inexpensive light kits on Amazon. It comes with a digital ballast, hood and bulb, the best options are 400w, 600w, or 1000w. IMO, anything below 400w I wouldn't even use. Metal Halide (MH) bulb for veg and High Pressure Sodium (HPS) bulb for flower.

It looks like your tent isn't too big, probably a 600w would work.

 

[HyTymes]

I haven't used HID in YEARS, but they still have inexpensive light kits on Amazon. It comes with a digital ballast, hood and bulb, the best options are 400w, 600w, or 1000w. IMO, anything below 400w I wouldn't even use. Metal Halide (MH) bulb for veg and High Pressure Sodium (HPS) bulb for flower.

It looks like your tent isn't too big, probably a 600w would work.

Thanks for that advice on lights. The tent is only a 2x4 so I may be able to get away with a 400w. It will be nice to add a little more light and get some heat. It is a solution with an added bonus. Perfect!

 

[Glassdub]

Metal grills get hot, no?

Sticking with ceramic heater with cool enclosures.

Going to try that personal Vornado posted earlier. Hope it’s not too much airflow.

I honestly don't see the advantage of these oil heaters, other than rh, most use the same 1500w of my present one & don't regulate heat as well unless you get into the pricey models.

 

[DaKine808]

You want an oil heater. It does not effect the humidity like others and can touch the walls of the tent with out catching fire. This is what I use. I control it with my ac infinity model 69 controller with a uis plug.

This looks like the heater I got at HD. I was looking at that AC Infinity Controller 69 pro and was wondering if this was still working for you since the heater is 1500w?? I wasnt sure if the controller was rated to run that much wattage! Hope its working for you! Good Growing! DK

 

[DaKine808]

Well disregard! UIS AC Infinity plug is rated up to 1800 watts!!!!

 

[Natep]

This looks like the heater I got at HD. I was looking at that AC Infinity Controller 69 pro and was wondering if this was still working for you since the heater is 1500w?? I wasnt sure if the controller was rated to run that much wattage! Hope its working for you! Good Growing! DK

Heats my 5x5 tent. Works good

 

[OldOneEye]

I have a grow tent setup in the basement. It is hard to keep the tent temperature above 50°. I don't want anything that is dangerous around the tent or in it. Is there a safe heater that does not run up the electric bill that I could use? I am assuming it is best to place the outside the tent? I am brand new to this. Thanks for any help! Pictures of my girls.

Switch from led's to a double ended hid lamp run your lights at night any dark time during day hours to take advantage of day time heat. This was my solution and it is working well for me.

 

[LoveGrowingIt]

AC Infinity sells a heater that's made for use with a grow tent. It can be inside or outside of the tent. It can run from one of their controllers, but also has a sensor probe of its own, so it can operate independently. I have two of them. Here's a picture of one I'm currently not using. They work well and also blow fresh air into the tent when the outside the tent. You can see in the picture how the hose can be extended and bent.

 

[longbottom]

I'm in a small space and have considered adding one or two of these... (they make versions with much lower wattage as well)

Amazon.com : MIXJOY 250W Ceramic Heat Emitters - 2Pack Reptile Heat Lamp Bulbs, No Light Emitting, Ideal for Gecko, Lizard, Bearded Dragon, Turtle, Snake & Chicken : Pet Supplies

Amazon.com : MIXJOY 250W Ceramic Heat Emitters - 2Pack Reptile Heat Lamp Bulbs, No Light Emitting, Ideal for Gecko, Lizard, Bearded Dragon, Turtle, Snake & Chicken : Pet Supplies

www.amazon.com

 

[Newty]

I'm in a small space and have considered adding one or two of these... (they make versions with much lower wattage as well)

View attachment 2356954

Amazon.com : MIXJOY 250W Ceramic Heat Emitters - 2Pack Reptile Heat Lamp Bulbs, No Light Emitting, Ideal for Gecko, Lizard, Bearded Dragon, Turtle, Snake & Chicken : Pet Supplies

Amazon.com : MIXJOY 250W Ceramic Heat Emitters - 2Pack Reptile Heat Lamp Bulbs, No Light Emitting, Ideal for Gecko, Lizard, Bearded Dragon, Turtle, Snake & Chicken : Pet Supplies

www.amazon.com

Be careful how close to the tent walls and floor those get, it will melt them.
Also only use reptile domes for those, DON'T use a regular light fixture or the clamp lamps from a hardware store, they can't handle the ceramic heat emitter.

I keep snakes and other reptiles so have lots of experience with them.

Also some of those can be $30, $40, $50 or more. Not including the price of the dome you need for it, that's another $25-$50.

AC Infinity Thermoforge is only $100

 

[longbottom]

Be careful how close to the tent walls and floor those get, it will melt them.
Also only use reptile domes for those, DON'T use a regular light fixture or the clamp lamps from a hardware store, they can't handle the ceramic heat emitter.

I keep snakes and other reptiles so have lots of experience with them.

Also some of those can be $30, $40, $50 or more. Not including the price of the dome you need for it, that's another $25-$50.

AC Infinity Thermoforge is only $100

Very cool to get some tips from someone that uses these ! For some of us these might work though, I'm in a very small space and use a metal safe as a grow cabinet. My idea was to run a few of the lower wattage versions of these bulbs placed at soil level....... This way the heat will be balanced on both sides of my pot. This is something I can't do with an oil heater....(or a space heater)

Most space heaters I've considered use a LOT of wattage 750-1500 watts.... These little bulbs use much less (which is a plus for me)


Just some ideas ! I'm not commited to this, but I thought I'd share my thoughts. Appreciate the advice from someone with real life experience with these..

Here are other "ideas" I've considered for my setup.. They are just ideas ! Maybe good, maybe not !

https://www.amazon.com/REPTI-ZOO-Ad...heater&qid=1736710380&sr=8-10#customerReviews


https://www.amazon.com/TESLUCK-16-5...ds=reptile+heater&qid=1736710380&sr=8-14&th=1