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10-24-2024, 02:46 AM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Jul 2023
Location: Vista, CA
Posts: 137
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Ceramic Reptile heater for walk-in green house
Hi ALL,
Apologies if this has already been discussed, but I would like to hear if anyone uses a ceramic reptile heater in a walk-in greenhouse during winter months to maintain temperature, particularly in California.
If so what is the experience?
Please let me know your thoughts, I would like to use one to maintain a minimum temperature of around 60°F for my Phals.
Thanks.
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10-24-2024, 03:48 AM
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Join Date: Jun 2015
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Location: Phoenix AZ - Lower Sonoran Desert
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I don't see how any reptile heater intended to be placed under a terrarium could keep a greenhouse at 60 F / 15.5C during even a moderately cool night. You will need a larger heater. It will cost quite a bit of money to run.
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10-24-2024, 09:55 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2022
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Location: Olympia, WA
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Your phals. will be unhappy at 60°F without additional heat. In your climate (I worked in Vista) they’ll do better indoors by a window. Add some seedling heating mats if you keep your house cool in the winter.
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10-24-2024, 03:45 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by estación seca
I don't see how any reptile heater intended to be placed under a terrarium could keep a greenhouse at 60 F / 15.5C during even a moderately cool night. You will need a larger heater. It will cost quite a bit of money to run.
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Thanks ES for the reply.
I think I will move the phals inside near window instead trying to heat the greenhouse.
---------- Post added at 12:45 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:44 PM ----------
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dimples
Your phals. will be unhappy at 60°F without additional heat. In your climate (I worked in Vista) they’ll do better indoors by a window. Add some seedling heating mats if you keep your house cool in the winter.
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Thanks Dimples.
I think I will go with your suggestion, I will move the phals indoors near to window.
Thanks.
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10-25-2024, 07:54 AM
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Location: Oak Island NC
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How big of a “walk-in greenhouse” are you talking about?
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10-25-2024, 12:53 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2023
Location: Vista, CA
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ray
How big of a “walk-in greenhouse” are you talking about?
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Hi Ray,
It's dimensions are l78"L x 38.5"W x 84.5"H, one side is flat, similar like in the photo.
I have another one is 5 feet x 5 feet square one, I can use either one of them for my phals if I would be able to maintain the temperature above 60-65°F.
Thanks.
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10-25-2024, 05:25 PM
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You’d spend less buying and running a few grow lights inside, year-round, than you would trying to keep a small greenhouse warm over the winter. Depending on where in Vista you are, your lows drop into the 40s, with the potential for colder if you’re in a valley.
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10-25-2024, 06:54 PM
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I totally agree. Those flimsy little greenhouses likely can give adequate protection for most Catts, Oncidinae, and other cold-tolerant orchids. Phals, no... they need real, and consistent warmth. That level of warmth is hard enough to maintain with a well-insulated greenhouse with environmental controls when the nights head toward freezing. Those lightweight covers, not a chance.
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10-25-2024, 11:16 PM
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Not to mention, you’d be one power outage or equipment malfunction away from having a greenhouse full of dead phals.
The greenhouses would be great for any frost sensitive outdoor potted plants you have.
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Yesterday, 07:57 AM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: May 2005
Location: Oak Island NC
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I agree with the last several responses.
I have used a high wattage, incandescent light bulb to heat a similarly-sized seedling rack, but it was in my basement, not exposed to the elements.
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