Grow tent or DYI Box...

[McLabia]

So, Im debating what way to go here, and Id like to hear some pros and cons as well as any advice that can be given. Im looking to upgrade my grow, and Im debating if I want to go and do a grow tent or build a box.

If I go with the tent, Ive been looking for the all in one complete kits, but not sure what ones are worth it. Ive read about some having toxicity issues, and other structural integrity issues. If I go to build a box, Im wondering about things like ventilation and smell. I know that I want to have it setup with a carbon filter, and with enough airflow to keep a good negative pressure.

Im not looking to go for some super grow or anything, to be honest, Ill probably never grow more than MAYBE 6 plants. I already have a veg box thats setup pretty well, so Im just looking to flower in this.

After doing t5s, Ive noticed theyre awesome for vegging, but Im thinking that a 600 watt would give me the best results. Space isnt an issue, and neither is where my water is. Temp is however though. It will be in a garage, so Im thinking Ill have to get a humidifier that has a warm/cool setting.

Any help/advice is much appreciated. Ty in advance.

 

[McLabia]

Oh, I should have mentioned that Ill be doing indoor soil. Sorry for leaving that info out.

 

[scurred]

If you're only going to do a max of 6 plants lets not waste electricity and give each plant 100w with a 600w light Eco-friendly. Go with a 400w. My tent is 40" x 40" x 78" and it's perfect for a 400w.

Tent:
Pros - Well made if you get the right one, easy, setup within 30 minutes of opening the box.
Cons - You can't customize it unless you want to cut holes in it. Requires a bit of patch work to get 100% light proof.

Box:
Pros - Fully customizable, can build the way you want and need it.
Cons - You need to build it, may end up spending more than a tent costs by trial & error. It also won't look as professional on the inside or out as a tent will.

I got a tent last week, absolutely love the thing. At first I was slightly disappointed because I realized it will take a bit of patching on the inside and out with reflective and guerilla tape to stop a few tiny light leaks here and there, but once I got over that I fell in love with it. I too was debating between building one and getting a tent, and I don't regret it.

The problem with the tent I ran into was light-proof passive intakes. They have 3 flaps on the bottom that you can open or close with velcro, but they aren't light-proof at all and I can't figure out how to do it and guarantee 100% light-proof. People have suggested pvc piping but I have doubts that a single 4" passive opening will be enough, and I don't feel like cutting holes in the tent fabric. What I am going to try is using two fans, one for intake and one for exhaust - so I won't have any passive intakes. All duct openings and flaps will be closed. It will work, I just need to buy an extra fan and consume a bit more electricity.

htgsupply.com is where I got my tent, recommend it.

My plan for the grow box build was to use dark room louvers as passive intakes. Sucks not being able to use them but the tent was 10x easier than the box would have been.

 

[scurred]

Oh and I don't need a air cooled hood with my 400w in the tent, just a exhaust fan is cooling it fine.

Hope I helped!

 

[feral]

So HTG's tents are good quality? Do they seem they will stand up to time and abuse? I've been contemplating on getting one and getting out of my closet.

 

[CANNATOPIA]

I almost bought a tent but I'm glad I didn't personally. I have nothing against tents. I find if you have a lot of room to play with then a tent is just fine but if limited in your spaces its much better to do DIY. Just my two for what its worth. Good luck friend.

 

[McLabia]

@scurred: http://www.htgsupply.com/viewproduct.asp?productID=55833

Is that the one youre talking about? You think that 400 watts will be enough? Sorry for newbness on that portion of things, but like I mentioned before my previous grow setup was a t5. If so, thats cool. Saves me a bit of money. The tent with options that Im looking at now is setup this way.

400w Original Organic Grow Kit
HTG 400w Ultimate HPS/MH Kit
4 Sided Horizontal Reflector
HTG 400w HPS Bulb
GB 400 watt MH Conv Bulb
None
None
Standard Warranty
Hi-Low Hangers
Digital w/ Battery BackUp + $6.00
GB 4in Fan&Filter Kit + $137.00
GB 6in Clip-On Fan
GB Thermo/Hygrometer
(9) 3 Gallon
3 Roots Organic Soil
Buddha Grow & Bloom Qts.
Total: $745.65

Seems like I could just buy things separately and spend less money...hmmm


@CANNATOPIA: Yeah, space is irrelevent in my case. Ive got plenty of it. Ty for the input though.

 

[supermanlives]

i dont regret my tent. hydrohut is quality but unlucky me i got the off gassing version. so i just used the frame and a new material.

 

[McLabia]

Yeah, Im going to be staying away from the hydrohut. lol. Ive read a lot of bad about them and not enough good.

 

[Nicoli]

As a cab grower for the last 2 years, if I did it allover again I woulda skipped all the cabs and bullshit and just got a tent.

Get a Secret Jardin

 

[McLabia]

As a cab grower for the last 2 years, if I did it allover again I woulda skipped all the cabs and bullshit and just got a tent.

Get a Secret Jardin

lol. I wouldnt have. Only because of the experience Ive gained from it. Plus, my cabinet with the t5s cost me less than 150 bucks total. not bad imo. Its an amazing setup for vegging though. lol.

 

[stonedar]

www.greners.com has a nice selection of tents with a video review of each. but not always best prices, shop around.

I own a GL80 made by grow lab, it's well made
a DR 60 made by secret jarden, it's also well made
an HTG 39" X 39" tent that's an old model white inside. it's got cheap construction compared to either of the other brands, still it's lasted almost 4 years. my buddy uses a newer HTG motherkeeper as a veg chamber. It has the silver interior now, but it's still not as nice as a name brand tent.

Friday I ordered a Lighthouse 4X4 cheap tent off Ebay. it was $139 delivered, it'll be here Tuesday. I won't have a camera to post pics with but I'll let you know what I think of it if anyone's interested. I just wanted a tent to clone & veg in all in one, also where I live now I have to trim somewhere with smell control so I'll be using part of the tent for a small workspace. Even a cheapo tent should be great for that.

 

[Nicoli]

lol. I wouldnt have. Only because of the experience Ive gained from it. Plus, my cabinet with the t5s cost me less than 150 bucks total. not bad imo. Its an amazing setup for vegging though. lol.

I dont disagree..

it's just things about tents vs cabs to me are wayyyyy more convenient..

extra room, extra vertical height, easy to tear down in 10mins.. iduno..

cant wait to get my tent up and goin' soon.

 

[McLabia]

@Nicoli: Damn dude, I just checked out your last grow. Nice job man. I totally hear you though about space. Its one of the biggest reasons Im changing. I cant fit a hood/ballast in my setup now, and t5s arent doing my cab justice for flowering.

@Stonedar: Thanks for that info. Let me know how your new one works out. I dont think I need something that big, but for that price, I couldnt go wrong. I could partition it with some panda paper and have it as a drying room...I think. lol.

 

[frikn squirrel]

I used to be a big advocate for DIY but after making several DIY tents, I've realized that the commercial tents can be reused and the DIY tents are generally custom made and destroyed when they are torn down.

So be sure to factor in recycle-ability.

 

[trichrider]

imho you wouldn't be wasting any wattage by doing 600, or even 1000 in a 3 to 4' square.
heat may become an issue if your fan isn't matched to your space.
as far as light leaks...security is the only concern.
also...you cannot trim inside a cab unless its inordinately large.
tent is the benefit of my experience.
peace

 

[scurred]

So HTG's tents are good quality? Do they seem they will stand up to time and abuse? I've been contemplating on getting one and getting out of my closet.

It's the only tent I have ever used but yes I feel it will last a long time as long as I take care of it. The material is extremely thick and heavy duty. And the frame is solid steel. Everything seems well made. There are a few light leaks I am having to patch with tape though, but I still would buy one again.

 

[scurred]

@scurred: http://www.htgsupply.com/viewproduct.asp?productID=55833

Is that the one youre talking about? You think that 400 watts will be enough? Sorry for newbness on that portion of things, but like I mentioned before my previous grow setup was a t5. If so, thats cool. Saves me a bit of money. The tent with options that Im looking at now is setup this way.

400w Original Organic Grow Kit
HTG 400w Ultimate HPS/MH Kit
4 Sided Horizontal Reflector
HTG 400w HPS Bulb
GB 400 watt MH Conv Bulb
None
None
Standard Warranty
Hi-Low Hangers
Digital w/ Battery BackUp + $6.00
GB 4in Fan&Filter Kit + $137.00
GB 6in Clip-On Fan
GB Thermo/Hygrometer
(9) 3 Gallon
3 Roots Organic Soil
Buddha Grow & Bloom Qts.
Total: $745.65

Seems like I could just buy things separately and spend less money...hmmm


@CANNATOPIA: Yeah, space is irrelevent in my case. Ive got plenty of it. Ty for the input though.

That's the complete kit, that isn't what I got. I just got the tent for around $150.

But yes, I don't see a need to put more than 400w of light in there, especially if you'll only have 6 plants. 6 plants shouldn't fill it completely anyways.

It's 39" x 39" on the interior, that's 3.25 x 3.25 feet which is ~10 square feet, that's 40 watts per square foot which is plenty. Sure you could do more, but I think we should all do our part in consuming as little electricity as possible.

 

[Capital G]

just got another tent (4x4) off ebay and they sent me the kind without the sleaves in the inside. the ones with the sleaves in the inside are the best. look for those. shit, sucks balls because, the tent on the instructions has sleaves on it. the ebay seller opened one of the tents they had in stock after i called and told them about the mix up and said china sent them the wrong items and they didn't have any with the sleaves in stock. you should of checked that shit before you sent them out, negative feedback for you! damn, you china!

 

[scurred]

Who was it you bought from on eBay?