Secret Jardin - The Dark Room - source?
- Thread starter darkhollo
- Start date
Chomas
Member
NOT discreet packaging if you know a ****hair of French haha
seriously my DR80 came in a box with a HUGE "secret jardin DR80" on the side
the fedex dude was smiling, and I was like wtf
Its the best tent though from what I hear, and so far it's been amazing for me although Id get the DR120 in hindsight
get it for sure, but get it sent to someones house that you can trust
seriously my DR80 came in a box with a HUGE "secret jardin DR80" on the side
the fedex dude was smiling, and I was like wtf
Its the best tent though from what I hear, and so far it's been amazing for me although Id get the DR120 in hindsight
get it for sure, but get it sent to someones house that you can trust
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darkhollo said:
I am a happy Dark Room owner, totally recommend them.
That said, I can fill you in on the criticisms, and within a week I will be able to comment on the new model which supposedly addresses the issues.
OK the problems with the 1st gen Dark Room have to do with lightproofing, and with the zipper. The stitching around the zippers allows a little light to pass through in small spots, almost like a woven blanket with areas that are not as tight as they should be, thus not completely opaque. From inside the dark tent with lights on in the room outside, they look like stars or something. Shouldn't really be a problem, as plants outdoors are cool with much brighter moonlight and tons of stars, but the reality is that Secret Jardin could have done better, and this is why the new ones supposedly have better stitching or something.
As for the zippers, mine specifically were tough to move for the first few weeks, so I had to be pretty careful not to exert too much force until they loosened up. I am still careful with them though, in a way I did not feel was necessary with the Hydrohut & Habitat tents I had previously, as they had much larger zipper teeth as I recall. Anyways, I have seen reports of the Dark Room ones breaking & coming off the track and I wouldn't blame anyone it it happened based on my experience. The new model zippers are much better I am told, so that is something I can report about in a week or so when my new tent arrives.
A personal criticism is the ducting socks.. If you use flexible duct, it is hard to strike a balance between making them tight enough to seal up the tent and not put too much pressure on the ducting. I don't care for the positioning either, but I am about to put a tray in my new one to make handwatering easier, and I may be down with the higher position more at that point. I personally use Hydrohut ducting flanges with holes I cut myself for a best of both worlds kind of thing right now.. Here's a pic:
To add some positivity.. The roof support bars are much better than the Hydrohut/Homebox style tents, and the reflective material is great. Dunno if it blocks IR or anything bold like that, but the tent is cooler to the touch from the outside than the Hydrohut/Habitat tents were, and that makes my intake air a couple of degrees colder, which took the max temperature from 82f with the Hydrohut to 80 with the Dark Room. I have another on the way after using my first gen one for 5 months or so, so I think that says a lot.
I have also heard the new ones no longer say "Secret Jardin" on the outside, just the model number. We will see about that though.
Anyways, hope that is some helpful rambling. I can jump back in when i get the new one with an opinion on the improvements if you'd like.
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Wedge Antilles
Member
I have a DR80 and 100% satisfied...I have the older model as well.....Mr. Boj hit all the points on head about these.....I do tend to like those sock ports though....You don't need a flange and it's quick to pull out the tubing, if you need too
Chomas
Member
tents not leaning lol, that's me leaning while all baked haha
250 watt setup - digital Lumatek ballast for MH and HPS, 4" vortex with all 4" ductwork, 4" Dutch Breeze carbon filter (20" long)
I will take the scrubber out once the plants get too big, and put it on the other end of the system
my temps were too low, so I got the Speedster and now I'm good
havent used it to flower yet, only used for vegging so far but it's sick
the only worry I have with it, is the zippers are a little cheap
250 watt setup - digital Lumatek ballast for MH and HPS, 4" vortex with all 4" ductwork, 4" Dutch Breeze carbon filter (20" long)
I will take the scrubber out once the plants get too big, and put it on the other end of the system
my temps were too low, so I got the Speedster and now I'm good
havent used it to flower yet, only used for vegging so far but it's sick
the only worry I have with it, is the zippers are a little cheap
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Raijin
Member
The new Sunhut is out. Just got one to see how it is. They did a good job in that they used the same thicker canvas outside like the Hydrohut, Habitat and old Sunhut but they lined the inside with the EXACT same material as the Darkroom.
Sunhut also changed its ceiling supports to be just like the Darkroom. They are easier to use than the HydroHut/Habitat old Sunhut models but they are weak. They could be better (personal problem with them).
The new Sunhut uses the same metal duct flanges, so for those of you who like the old way, here it is, ready to be used. Sunhut is also using steel poles and corners. No plastic corners.
The only major problem with the Sunhut from first looks is that they used the same white plastic second floor. This was a dumb move and shows that they have no idea about what was off gassing. But, just don't use the second floor, keep it out or throw it away. The plastic fake metal material on the inside is water proof already.
The dumbest thing Sunhut did is to use the pictures from the Hydrohut directions for their directions. The pics are too funny as they don't show the new fake metal/plastic interior, they show the same white interior from the Hydrohut with the Hydrohut tan piping color as well. (Sunhut's piping color is green) They must have been in a hurry to get back on the market.
The box must be wrapped. Not even an attempt to make it incognito.
All in all, Darkroom has a decent competitor. I'll throw some pics up later.
Sunhut also changed its ceiling supports to be just like the Darkroom. They are easier to use than the HydroHut/Habitat old Sunhut models but they are weak. They could be better (personal problem with them).
The new Sunhut uses the same metal duct flanges, so for those of you who like the old way, here it is, ready to be used. Sunhut is also using steel poles and corners. No plastic corners.
The only major problem with the Sunhut from first looks is that they used the same white plastic second floor. This was a dumb move and shows that they have no idea about what was off gassing. But, just don't use the second floor, keep it out or throw it away. The plastic fake metal material on the inside is water proof already.
The dumbest thing Sunhut did is to use the pictures from the Hydrohut directions for their directions. The pics are too funny as they don't show the new fake metal/plastic interior, they show the same white interior from the Hydrohut with the Hydrohut tan piping color as well. (Sunhut's piping color is green) They must have been in a hurry to get back on the market.
The box must be wrapped. Not even an attempt to make it incognito.
All in all, Darkroom has a decent competitor. I'll throw some pics up later.
Tomatoesonly
Active member
Following from BGhydro---2 dr80's came in plane brown boxes and 1 dr150 just came and it was wrapped in heavy brown paper. If the paper were to rip in the right spot, underneath it sure as shit says Secret Jardine Dark Room. Those retarded assholes should be beat for EVER putting that on their boxes.
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spacecadet
Member
i am in the market for a grow tent so u guys think secert jarden is the way to go?
Wedge Antilles
Member
spacecadet said:
I love mine!!!! DR80....Definitly reccommended SC
i believe DR80 has only the single output "chimney" sock at the top, correct? i read your posts where you modified it; really nice and clean. any probs since you cut out and installed the flanges (fraying, unravelling etc)? id like use 6" in/out duct for the light and 4" for vent.Mr. Bongjangles said:A personal criticism is the ducting socks.. If you use flexible duct, it is hard to strike a balance between making them tight enough to seal up the tent and not put too much pressure on the ducting. I don't care for the positioning either, but I am about to put a tray in my new one to make handwatering easier, and I may be down with the higher position more at that point. I personally use Hydrohut ducting flanges with holes I cut myself for a best of both worlds kind of thing right now.. Here's a pic:
Gottagrow
Member
I love my DR40 for my mothers. Running a 42watt CF and 2 13watt CF. Only have a Radio shack 120mm fan and it stays cool. Other then the small pin holes of light that you can see at the zipper its been great. The size is small enough to fit in the closet. As soon as I get my rebate check I'm getting 2 DR 120's for my clones.
flubnutz said:
Hey Flubnutz, thanks for the compliment. Looks like the DR80 does have 2 more vents at the bottom, but they are designed for 4 inch ducting. Here's a pic i found:
As for the holes I cut in my dr120, it was a problem free episode as the material cuts well. No fraying or anything, as the material, even if "frayed" will only let off like 1 strand. Use a sharp knife and you're golden imo. Here's a pic of the cutout pieces since I saved them suspecting someone might want to see the details before they decided to chop up their pretty tent as well hehe.
I recommend you cut the screw holes first, and just make them small slits rather than actual holes, then cut out the main hole. This way the screws will basically hold the flange in place.. Put on one side of the flange and put like the top 3 screws in there, then you can go to the other side and slide on the other flange. You may be able to reach around and hold it yourself with the smaller DR80 though come to think of it.
Good luck!
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spacecadet
Member
hey guys i just orders a dr-120 from bg hyrdo what i wanted to know what woild be my best choise in lighting i was going to go with a 400 watts but after i ordered the tent realized it bigger than i planned so looks like the 400 watts is under size so would i be better off with 2 400 watts or a 600 watts or a 1000 watts i want to be able to run both mh and hps would running 2 400 watts work better than one 600 watts it will be a wile before i order any light for it so i got time to shop around, i been looking at the 600 watts but all i see is hps and not a big selection of bulbs so thats why i was thinking would 2 400 watts be better than one 600 watts , should i go with digital or magnetic. thanks guys
