Hydrofarm MTPRTC Heat Mat Thermostat
This handy accessory to the Hydrofarm heating mats ensures that plants are kept at the optimum temperature for healthy, prolonged life. The thermostat is usable with all Hydrofarm mats and is accurate within 2 degrees F, plus or minus. The controllable temperature ranges from 68 to 95 degrees. Submerging the controller or the probe into the water is not recommended, and the thermostat will automatically shut off when the probe temperature reaches 110 degrees. With its suction-cup mounting device, the thermostat can also be used in a terrarium for air-temperature control and measurements. Gardeners who love their work to pay off quickly will be glad to know that using a thermostat and heating pad with the hydrogarden will assure faster sprouting. –Eli Huntington
User Ratings and Reviews
4 Stars works well but needs on/off switch
This works well at keeping the heating mat within a small temperature range. However, it would be much more convenient if it had an on/off switch. Currently, you have to unplug it to turn it off.
1 Star Didn’t even last one season
I used this with the the smallest of heat mats of the same brand, and it stopped working within one season. I followed all instructions, and for the high price of this thermostat, I am very disappointed in its performance, or lack thereof. Too bad, because in theory it’s a great idea.
5 Stars Removes the guesswork!
This thermostat takes all of the guesswork out of achieving optimum growing temperatures for sure. The product works exactly as advertised. The only drawback is that mine came with a temperature probe that was a suction-cup type of device rather than a true probe. I have simply buried the suction cup into a small pot of soil that sits next to my plants (remember to keep the soil moist).
I have had a heat mat for 2 years now and have used it without a thermostat. The major problem with this arrangement is that I needed to put my heat mat on a cycled on/off timer throughout the day/night to sort of generally hit the temprature range I wanted. With the thermostat the heat is exactly the temperature I desire all day long. This has made a tremendous difference in my growing results. So far (this year) I have germinated my sweet bell peppers at 85 degrees F, and have grown the seedlings at 72 degrees F. What a difference! This is my best crop ever!
3 Stars can’t handle hi watts
it works fine for low wattage items but burns out immediately when used for higher voltage.
4 Stars Works great
I am using this controller to control a large seedling mat as well as a 40 watt lightbulb. I have a 20 cubic foot table top greenhouse in my garage, and this setup serves to keep the seedlings warm.
Pros:
1. It has a 120V AC plug for the heater, so you can not only use the hydrofarm mats, but also other heating devices-like the light bulb
2. Looks “professional”
3. Has an external temperature probe, meaning the thermostat can be mounted outside of a greenhouse. I didn’t measure it, but I would guess it has about a 5 or 6 foot long cord.
4. The adjustment dial is in degrees, so no guessing about what cool, warm, hot, etc might mean.
5. Temperature seems reasonably well regulated
6. LED’s for both power and heat
Cons:
1. No temperature readout. An LCD reading of what the temp probe is measuring would be nice
2. It is a little bit tricky to mount neatly, since the power cord, temperature probes and outlet plugs are all along the bottom of the unit. You can’t really panel-mount it unless you can let the cords hang over the edge.
3. The suction cup probe is a bit problematic. I would have prefered a soil probe. I ended up putting small, sealed jar of water (with a couple drops of bleach) on the mat and attaching the temperature probe to that.
Summary- I am happy with it. It does a nice job of controlling the heating of my tabletop greenhouse.
