Hey everybody, I'm looking to purchase the best or a decent grow tent for $100 (Can be a few dollars higher) that is 5 x 5 x 5 or bigger (I'll settle for 4 x 4 x 5). After just a few mins of searching online I am finding a lot of different brands and models that meet my criteria but I need help making a decision. The main reason I am using it is to give my plants complete darkness for flowering. They are ready to be switched to 12/12 right now. I am also running fluorescent lights for the entire grow. It's just not in my budget to run anything stronger than fluorescent lighting at the moment. (I am aware that $100 might not be enough for a decent tent these sizes.) Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Have you thought about just building your own out of PVC? I just built one, much smaller than what you've got planned. But you'd only need about 50' of 3/4" PVC which would only be about $17, 10'x10' of panda film which is only another $18 on ebay. $12 for the corner elbows and maybe if you wanna put in some cross bars figure another $3 for the tees and another $3 for the X at the top if you wanna do that. Right there you have less than $55. Some black Gorilla tape would be less than $10, that and about 90 min of your time. Sounds a lot better than spending $100 plus shipping for a pre-made tent. Although you'd have to be a little more creative, but it's more satisfying when you build something like that yourself. Just some ideas for you, I'm just starting out myself....
Good looking affordable tents here. Thank you. Have you used any of these products? Thank you for the advice. I am just so fickle when it comes to these things. \nI am honestly considering building it myself now thanks to you Jose. It's nice to get some feedback from someone who is also just getting started (I'm not alone lol). I have seen a lot of DIY tents that look well made and stable. If you wouldn't mind, I would like to see your finished product. Totally understand if you don't want to post any pics and thanks again.
I don't use one from here, but I have the same model I bought somewhere else. I found this after I bought a whole kit. I've been considering upgrading.
First take a look at your local craigslist. Chances are you'd be able to find one meeting your criteria for pretty darn cheap. The nature of the growing business is fickle, and a lot of the times people with equipment just want to get rid of it asap. Make their loss your gain.
Hey Kushy, I actually have been checking Craiglist frequently for equipment in the local areas but everyone seems to never reply. I don't know what that's about. Your solution for my problem would be the best bet but my luck has just been rotten with these private sellers replying.
Good to know man. I was pretty damn sure I was going to DIY earlier today but after much more research and your new post I think I'm going with growtents.com - 4 x 4 x 7 600D for $150 (Free Shipping).
Has anyone used or is currently using a tent with a fabric grade of 300D or lower? I feel like 300D would be too thin. That's just my innateness telling me that. I could be wrong.
No problem dude! I know it's not the prettiest thing ever built, but I'm proud of the work I put into it, especially since it only takes about 90 minutes start to finish if you have everything handy! I know it looks like it's bending in on itself, but that's just an illusion created by the gorilla tape and the velcro I'm using to hold the front flap closed.
I really just don't want to spend too much money but if 600D is much better than 300D, I will fork out the extra 50$. Haven't really found a lot of bad news on 300D. I was just mainly worried about ware and tare over the next couple of grows.
I'm gonna hang my carbon scrubber/fan from the crossbar I put in when it arrives. And then just add more lights to the corners as the plants grow and a clip-on fan to make sure the air is circulating well inside there. Depending on the success of this grow, I have enough panda film to make another tent the same size or just expand this one and add either an LED fixture or HID, probably the former since electricity is too expensive where I live. 26.7 cents a kWh.
You'll grow out of the first tent you buy pretty quickly, trust me. You'll want to add some things and maybe some things you'll want to get rid of long before the tent wears out. I think my tent is 210D? I've had a couple and the thing to worry about is the zipper wearing out before the tent fabric.
That's awesome. Keep me updated for sure man, I would love to know how it does on the field! I think I am out of time and have to order a premade tent online but I am still going to make a DIY. I want to build something like you did for my clones and seedlings. See, I overlooked a very important detail already... THE ZIPPERS. Thanks for bringing that to my attention. Now I will baby my future tent(s) that much more!
For a cheap way to work your tent without zippers, make the two ends of the poly you use for the sides and front/back meet in the front and overlap by about 4-6 inches. Then buy a pack of heavy duty velcro, you can buy it at Wal-mart. Make sure to get the big box with the small strips. For the piece of poly that is going to make up your roof/back/bottom, leave an extra 2 inches or so at the ends of the poly, and use that extra little bit to hang over from the top and bottom of the tent. Put velcro on both of these flaps; thats what you are going to use to hold your 'door' shut. It's not the most fancy thing in the world, but it will get the job done. It will be light proof too. I'm just spitballing here of course...DIY is all about experimenting.
I'm diggin it! Im about to make a DIY small tent/box for my seedlings/cuttings using the feedback here on this thread. Thank you everyone for your input. You all have great solutions for my problem(s). As far as my 5x5x7 tent goes... I never ordered one online, I was able to obtain one from a dear friend. I am blessed!