Heater options for grow tent

Hi
I've got a 4 by 4 tent and I'm having some serious issues with temperature. The temperature with no lights being on is 9 degrees centigrade. when the lights are turned on it goes up to 16 degrees maybe 18 at max. Ive got 1 hps and 1 led running. I cant change light at this stage. Im looking to put in a heater. I tried to put in 2kw oil filled radiator and the temp went up to 30 degrees which is too much and it also draws way to much electricity. I'm conisdering a tubular heater or a heat mat.
Which would be better and what kind of wattage should I be looking for ? I need a 6 or 8 degree increase.
thanks in advance for your replies

Try a lower wattage heater

I've been using a space heater in the room with my tents the past several winters, this year I'm putting heat mats connected to temperature controllers below the drain trays... I've had other people suggest this option to me before, maybe it would be a good option for you as well.

Have you looked into getting a thermostat for your oil heater? I got this for less than $20:

warble said:

Have you looked into getting a thermostat for your oil heater? I got this for less than $20:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01I15S6OM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Click to expand...

Some oil heaters come with built in timers & thermostats as well as low, med & high settings. They are very handy.

oreo47 said:

Hi
I've got a 4 by 4 tent and I'm having some serious issues with temperature. The temperature with no lights being on is 9 degrees centigrade. when the lights are turned on it goes up to 16 degrees maybe 18 at max. Ive got 1 hps and 1 led running. I cant change light at this stage. Im looking to put in a heater. I tried to put in 2kw oil filled radiator and the temp went up to 30 degrees which is too much and it also draws way to much electricity. I'm conisdering a tubular heater or a heat mat.
Which would be better and what kind of wattage should I be looking for ? I need a 6 or 8 degree increase.
thanks in advance for your replies

Click to expand...

Firstly there are a few bits environmental Information needed.

where is your grow situated? Inside house? Shed? Garage? Basement? Attic?

What exhaust are you running? Fan and filter?

where do you get your intake air from?

where is your exhaust air going to?

Answer these as we may be able to make some alterations to your exhaust/intake system that might mitigate the need for adding additional heat and causing more cost to run.

oreo47 said:

Hi
I've got a 4 by 4 tent and I'm having some serious issues with temperature. The temperature with no lights being on is 9 degrees centigrade. when the lights are turned on it goes up to 16 degrees maybe 18 at max. Ive got 1 hps and 1 led running. I cant change light at this stage. Im looking to put in a heater. I tried to put in 2kw oil filled radiator and the temp went up to 30 degrees which is too much and it also draws way to much electricity. I'm conisdering a tubular heater or a heat mat.
Which would be better and what kind of wattage should I be looking for ? I need a 6 or 8 degree increase.
thanks in advance for your replies

Click to expand...

I use a ceramic reptile heater (light bulb socket) and hang it in front of a fan that oscillates . Usually get 2-4* bump off a 150w in a 5x5 area. You can put two on opposing sides for more. Works for me. Cheap too

Is there any way to insulate the area some?

I have an Inkird temperature controller with a 6-inch ceramic heater
You can try having a fan blow down above your light to the plants might help a little

sdboltdude said:

I have an Inkird temperature controller with a 6-inch ceramic heater
You can try having a fan blow down above your light to the plants might help a little

Click to expand...

what wattage is the heater and how many degrees does the heater increase the temperature?
Also what space size is your tent?

oreo47 said:

what wattage is the heater and how many degrees does the heater increase the temperature?
Also what space size is your tent?

Click to expand...

48X24X71 tent heater took about 8mins to heat tent 10f degrees
Heater pulled 250KWH
Not sure heater wattage small 4inch reflector

Mini Oil Filled Radiator, small, safe and effective. 700 watts. Most are 14"x14"ish. Roughly half the power of the full size. $55-60 on amazon.

I have roughly the same space (4x4) and I use the honeywell personal heater $20ish connected to a inkbird heat/cooling device IT-308. The personal heater is 150/250w and produces no ceramic red glow during lights out. Whatever you get, make sure their is a on/off switch in case of power outage. This way it will start once power resumes.

oreo47 said:

Hi
I've got a 4 by 4 tent and I'm having some serious issues with temperature. The temperature with no lights being on is 9 degrees centigrade. when the lights are turned on it goes up to 16 degrees maybe 18 at max. Ive got 1 hps and 1 led running. I cant change light at this stage. Im looking to put in a heater. I tried to put in 2kw oil filled radiator and the temp went up to 30 degrees which is too much and it also draws way to much electricity. I'm conisdering a tubular heater or a heat mat.
Which would be better and what kind of wattage should I be looking for ? I need a 6 or 8 degree increase.
thanks in advance for your replies

Click to expand...

if you can afford a heater then get the best a 600w HPS it can light your plants for free,
or get another 250w hps that I suspect you are currently using, save the LED in warmer weather

option C: relocate

good luck

Nrk.cdn said:

I have roughly the same space (4x4) and I use the honeywell personal heater $20ish connected to a inkbird heat/cooling device IT-308. The personal heater is 150/250w and produces no ceramic red glow during lights out. Whatever you get, make sure their is a on/off switch in case of power outage. This way it will start once power resumes.

Click to expand...

Gotta love the Inkbirds called something else over here and not one instruction manual does them all
...each M/F is different to set ,,,,lol

Couple heating pads under the tent liner should do the trick.

vostok said:

if you can afford a heater then get the best a 600w HPS it can light your plants for free,
or get another 250w hps that I suspect you are currently using, save the LED in warmer weather

option C: relocate

good luck

Click to expand...

hell if it’s cold enough you can run a 1000w hps in a 4x4 no problem you’ll get some chunky dense ass buds.

This is a Devanti 450w IR panel heater. $23 ebay. 600 x 600mm, cut legs down, sticks out only 75mm from wall. Only warm to the touch very safe.

As suggested, its best to use a temp controller, otherwise you'll be in and out checking it every 10 minutes letting that heat all escape.

The problem with heating is a half decent exhaust sytem will suck all that heat out as quick as it goes in. I use the $15 inkbird STC1000 (other models available pre wired/plugged) with the heat relay heating and the cooling relay controlling the exhaust fans.

A simplified explanation as I have other fans and shit running intermittently.

If I set it to 25 with a .5 degree margin, it'll pretty much stay right there by alternating the fans and heater. If a really cold climate, Id consider other options, such as the exhaust simply on a timer to come on for 10 mins an hour or something to maintain the heat in there more economically.

But... regardless of the heater wattage, as long as its relatively efficient and your tents a good quality material, Its all relative. It'll cost much the same to maintain the heated environment. Eg. 1000w heater should be on for a shorter period than a 450w etc, but without a temp controller you could just play around with timers for the heat and exhaust balance.

oreo47 said:

what wattage is the heater and how many degrees does the heater increase the temperature?
Also what space size is your tent?

Click to expand...

jondamon said:

Firstly there are a few bits environmental Information needed.

where is your grow situated? Inside house? Shed? Garage? Basement? Attic?

What exhaust are you running? Fan and filter?

where do you get your intake air from?

where is your exhaust air going to?

Answer these as we may be able to make some alterations to your exhaust/intake system that might mitigate the need for adding additional heat and causing more cost to run.

Click to expand...

are you going to answer this information request before you make a purchase and use more wattage when you may be able to just make a couple of alterations to help raise temps??

You should be able to move a 4x4 tent into a warmer area that hps is always going to raise the temperature and a swing of 10 degrees will definitely affect your plants so definitely look for a warmer spot