Cheap ass tent leaks light, what now?

[Red Fang]

I got an agromax tent, digital light etc package deal. I could not afford to get better at this point as I just got this to alleviate crowding elsewhere. It in some ways seemed better than the old SG tents, with 2 floors and a few other things I can't remember. But around the front zipper, I can see numerous little pinholes of orange light leaking out all around that zipper and possibly elsewhere. The tent seems dark inside when the light goes out, I have a veg box next to it and just a tiny little very dim strip of light comes in through the back intake from that. Otherwise pitch dark. Still, what can be done to seal those light leaks? I can't just use electric tape as I have to zip it open and closed. Help!
thanks

 

[noyd666]

could try strips of panda film taped on over size ,even black tape sometimes does the trick.

 

[FunkJungle]

Drape a contractor trash bag or 2 over the front. And always beware of HTG. Utter garbage.

Those contractor trash bags are awesome very thick and durable. I've used them as tarps, light blockers, air/odor sealers. Under $20 for a big box of them at Home Depot and it will last a long long time.

 

[skunk_valley]

By the way you describe it, sound like the pin holes are from the stitching. Not good.

I use a tape used in HVAC. Its very thin metal and works great for patching the inside of tents for pin holes but along the seam can be a pita.

One thing that came to mind is caulking. You could put a nice thick bead on top of the seam and if you can find a dark color, is should block the light.

Good luck.

SV

 

[dickcorn]

Black gorilla tape on outside worked for me. Just watch for the cheap ones getting floor leaks.

 

[HidingInTheHaze]

I had an agromax 5x8 and it was a total piece of shit, it ended up in the trash after like 2 grows.

I have 2 of their smaller tents, the mother keeper and their old grow bright 2x3 and they are great.

If you have a big one you will probably grow to hate it when the zippers fall off after a few months lol.

Buyer beware htg sells a lot of junk.

 

[Red Fang]

sounds like some great advice, thanks! I must say in all fairness, most stuff I have gotten from them has been pretty acceptable. The digital light seems fine so far. The carbon filter/fan seems ok so far, an older one from them seems to rattle and smells of charcoal but still kills the odors fine.

A ballast I have seems to have a loose connection where it connects to the ballast it was flopping down but I straightened it back out and seems to work fine. They seem to stand by their stuff. They are ok in my book, good for what they are, something cheap when you need it... but I know better quality is to be had elsewhere and I will keep that in mind. That gavita ballast sounds good but damn expensive, what is it that makes them so great now? And are lumatek so much better than regular digital ballasts? I saw some galaxy ballasts at another place, they looked good but again out of my price range for my needs at the moment.

and no, it seems just the zipper itself, or maybe the stitches around it, in the front only. I thought the side too, but now it seems no light leaks there but will check again. The front zipper could have definitely been better protected from light leaks. Other than that, it seems fine, it is the "large" one 55 square. why do they do those weird sizes anyway?

 

[Cartel530]

id just take the top off it and panda film it with the zipper setup that you stick on for both the doors, then pull the tent back over the frame so the panda film layer is between the frame and cover. When you open your tent door you will still have the panda film door to unzip also. I had this problem in the corners of my tent after moving it a few times it started stretching and ripping in the top corners.

 

[Red Fang]

thanks for the advice! I eventually will have to run a tent or box in veg in the same room, for now it is vacant and so the larger room is dark and no worrying about the light leaks.

 

[STUNKY]

You could also buy a roll of black plastic or tarp and throw over it like a blanket.

 

[TheCleanGame]

---snip---

 

[Jhhnn]

sounds like some great advice, thanks! I must say in all fairness, most stuff I have gotten from them has been pretty acceptable. The digital light seems fine so far. The carbon filter/fan seems ok so far, an older one from them seems to rattle and smells of charcoal but still kills the odors fine.

A ballast I have seems to have a loose connection where it connects to the ballast it was flopping down but I straightened it back out and seems to work fine. They seem to stand by their stuff. They are ok in my book, good for what they are, something cheap when you need it... but I know better quality is to be had elsewhere and I will keep that in mind. That gavita ballast sounds good but damn expensive, what is it that makes them so great now? And are lumatek so much better than regular digital ballasts? I saw some galaxy ballasts at another place, they looked good but again out of my price range for my needs at the moment.

and no, it seems just the zipper itself, or maybe the stitches around it, in the front only. I thought the side too, but now it seems no light leaks there but will check again. The front zipper could have definitely been better protected from light leaks. Other than that, it seems fine, it is the "large" one 55 square. why do they do those weird sizes anyway?

The real issue w/ light leaks is generally keeping unwanted light out, of keeping it dark enough at night to keep the plants happy. Dark enough is the operative phrase. The pinholes around the zipper may have no effect in actual use, depending. If you can keep the room relatively dark or dimly lit during the night cycle that will minimize any adverse effects.

I suspect that some issues may be strain dependent, although I lack the experience to make that judgment.