I would like to start some citrus seeds,however I do not have the typical bottom heat sources. My computer is turned off at night and none of my peripherials have heat producing transformers. The water heater top does not get above room temp so its not an option. Neither is the top of the refrigator(constant running ceiling fan). I have aquired an electric reptile heat stone.Would this work or will it become too hot and cook the seeds? It is not thermostatically controled(plug in = on, remove plug= off). Ambient temp of the house is 68.
Andi

Andi, just change the setting on you monitor, so it stays on. It is easy. Turn on your computer, then right click on any empty space on your desk top where there is not an icon. When the box opens, click on "properties," when the next box opens click on "screen savers" and select the screen saver you wish to use. Finally at the bottom of the same box click on "power" and select "never" for the monitor,"never" for the hard disk and "never" for the system standby. By doing this you monitor will stay on all the time, as long as you computer is turned on. I learned this from Laaz when I wanted to use my monitor as a heat source for seed germination. - Millet

Millet,
Thank you for that information. I turn the PC off becuse I was afraid it would ruin something by leaving it on all the time. Since we just bought a new house money is still kinda tight.
Andi

Andi,

If your monitor is a CRT type (big and thick) the life expectancy is close to 5 years when left on 24X7. I have been in the computer/tech business for 25+ years and have never had to replace one because it was left on. I have left every PC and monitor I have ever owned on all the time because I don't like to wait (even 10 sec.) for it to "wake up."

The real danger is electrical surges so you should make sure you have at least a surge protector, but better to have a battery backup.

Leaving the PC on at all times maintains a constant temp in the system. The motherboard is made up with many solder joints. Constant temp changes makes the solder become brittle and easy to break down.