I was thinking of getting two 20 gallon cement mixing containers and putting them in the basement with my water garden plants over the winter, it would save me a couple hundred bucks in the spring. Does anyone else do this? If so, what kind of lighting do you use? I noticed at a pet store near me they had this enormous light over a large aquarium, it had stands on the four corners that lifted it above the water about 10 inches and the light had some fans built into the hood on each end. It had some bright lighting that really showed off the plants in the tank (it was a plant only tank).
Would something like this be cost prohibitive? The basement can get a little cold in the winter, it is not heated, probably in the low 60's F. Would the light be enough to keep the plants and water in the cement mixing container warm enough? Would I need an aquarium heater?
I also figured I could use the dirty water I pull out of my aquarium during water changes since that would provide nutrients to the plants.
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!
Would something like this be cost prohibitive? The basement can get a little cold in the winter, it is not heated, probably in the low 60's F. Would the light be enough to keep the plants and water in the cement mixing container warm enough? Would I need an aquarium heater?
I also figured I could use the dirty water I pull out of my aquarium during water changes since that would provide nutrients to the plants.
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!