Is it just me? I have the basic old school heat mats with no thermostat. Seems like i always have to keep seeds away from the mat a bit, that are soaking or in wet paper towels.
I goofed and left some in shot glasses for 36 hours and the tails look a little cooked.
Do i need the thermostat thing for my mats?
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It is for me. I put a shot glass of water on the heat mat for a day and it was 85F. I did the same with my internet modem and it was 75F. I get 100% germ rate so far with using the modem.
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I double up the tray for extra buffer.
We have a 4 shelf tent for sprouting garden seeds (i use it for seeds as well) and i only use a (non adjustable) heat mat on the bottom shelf, with a double tray, the warmth from the led strips and heat mat on the bottom is plenty for the rest of the shelves.
They will def cook seeds, ime
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Heat mat without a thermal controller is asking for no good tbh.
I each tent i have runs 1-2 heat mats during winter. I have 5 tents, trust me when i say if i could have saved money on the controller i would have but they are non optional imo.
Also diaposable. I’ve had 2 go out on me in a year and then its a matt at full tilt hence always check your grow eq daily folks.
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I dont know why i figured it would be plug and play…but yea thats the confirmation i was looking for.
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I think there are aftermarket ones i can get to retro fit my old ferry-morse mats.
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I know some guys have great success using heat mats for seedlings/clones… I only have problems using them even with a controller. I find the extra heat in the root zone to be problematic. I raise room temps instead for better results. Just make sure your root zone has some insulation from the colder substrate below makes room temps easier to manage aswell. Just other options to consider aswell adjusting your vent fan or adding a control to your vent fan to control room temps. My thoughts are if you are struggling to grow in low temps only warming the root zone would not really resolve the underlying issue being room temps. Good luck hopefully spring will warm everything up and your temp problems will be warmed away !!! Cheers @BudLarfy !!!
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I use the modem method. To lessen the temperature I put some paper on top of the modem before I set the bowl I germinate in on the modem. Haven’t had a problem in the last 6 or 8 times I used this method.
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Nope, they toast em like sesame seeds in my basement too 
. I put a couple towels and a drip tray between the mat and the cups, and even keep a little thermometer there for peace of mind.
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Thanks for the second opinion. I was a bit too cocky this rime. 36 hrs in shot glasses that were too hot and i kinda did a slipshod job of eyeballing the hydrogen peroxide i added.
Could be a few things,
but they look a little faqed.
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Definitely dead
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Set my vivosun heat pad to 82 had no problem sprouting
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my broke ass i just use an old heating pad from the thrift store steer clear of the ones with lights they have auto shut off i just put the tray on some hockey pucks for a buffer
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I use a whiskey glass half full of warm water on a heat pad uncontrolled, the thick glass base and ample water absorb alot of heat so no problems.
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I’ve used a heat mat through an extra timer. Not exactly precise but did lower the temperature.
@treehousegrowery I say the modem for the win lol
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I actually did that before too. 15 minute increments. Worked ok. Should have tried it rhis time.
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Nice man lovely shade of green but I’m afraid they’re dead haha go ahead and toss them
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i was absolutely planning on taking 6 new beans for a swim. figured id give it 1 more day and…jah bless.
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