using an aquarium for deflasked seedlings?

[greengarden]

My new greenhouse has been delayed(damaged) due to some bad weather this week and I have some flasks that desperately need to be opened. I have two 4ft aquariums sitting in the yard and I was thinking about putting the seedlings into these. Wondering whether anyone has done this and what method they used? I do have some flourescent reflector light fittings, small reptile heat mats and things so I can get a grow flouro if necessary and put a light on them(maybe not necessary now coming into warm weather though?) but I'm not sure about the best method for keeping the warmth up if they are kept indoors, whether they need a light or if I could keep the tank outside under my patio in the shade?

[Ray]

That is pretty much my standard method.

• 55-gallon tank.
• Seedling heat mats on the bottom (inside)
• 4" of moist sphagnum moss, onto which the seedlings are placed
• Thin acrylic on the top as a lid
• One 4', 54W T5 fixture on top, or now, two of my new LED lamps

Rarely lose a single plant.

[greengarden]

Thanks Ray, are the seedling heat mats something specific or could I just use my reptile ones with a thermostat on them? It was about 30 degrees here yesterday but today is only going to be low twenties so it's pretty variable at the moment.

Regarding the sphagnum moss, I can only get the dead, commercial stuff here(live in regional Australia) is that OK? Also do you sterilise your moss and if so how?

[Ray]

Reptile heaters should be attached to the underside of the tank, as they are not waterproof like seedling mats can be.

I use dried moss, too. It's pretty sterile to start with, so should not be a concern.