This worked well for me a couple of years ago to start seeds! Spring time here is rather volatile and you never know what April/May will actually bring. In fact, I just got in 2 55gal aquariums on a double stand that I will be raising some bare-root roses from Canada in. That way I know exactly when they can go into the ground w/o worry of a late frost/snow! What I will be doing with my roses is planting them in 2gal buckets w/the best hydroponic soil I can find, putting them in the bottom of the aquarium on top of "egg crate" (
http://www.rarezoanthids.com/w... not my image, but this is what it looks like) so when I water, the buckets won't be sitting in water too deeply. I will have twin-tube florescent lights w/full spectrum bulbs on them running from 8am to 9pm, I'm thinking that's a good amount of time for that. I will be getting just cut glass for the tops w/a small access point so that they're not in a 100% sealed environment. I want them to grow outside, not to want to live in a vivarium forever!!
What I did was this for my seeds:
10gal aquarium w/hood & florescent light
Jiffypots & seed starting soil
Seeds
I planted all the seeds, put the square jiffypots into the aquarium and then put the light on it. I then put the light on a timer & had it on one of my counters. Since it was inside during the cold months, they stayed nice & warm while they germinated (did this in March). Plants need more of the "red" spectrum of light rather than the "blue" spectrum of light, so a "full-spectrum" light works quite well. If you can find an old 10gal aquarium with the antiquated incandescent bulbs, they work MUCH more better (plants like that light better than florescent). Keeping the lid on the aquarium keeps the humidity in, but w/o building too high as the moisture can leak out into the room. You don't want it steamy - that produces mold.
Mary - Check your local Craigslist/Freecycle. There's usually aquariums for free there just asking for people to take them off their hands! Goodwill usually has them too.. don't forget garage sales/flea markets!
