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4x2x5' grow tent

Discussion in 'Grow Room Design/Setup' started by DBV, Oct 27, 2011.

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  1. #1 DBV, Oct 27, 2011
    I'm looking to setup my first indoor grow and I was wondering how many plants you guys think I could fit into a tent this size? I plan on growing 4 plants at a time... do you think it'll have enough room? Maybe if I LST? Here's the tent I'm looking at:

    [ame]http://www.amazon.com/Hydroponics-Grow-Tent-Hydro-Cabinet/dp/B001SRY80C/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1319723438&sr=8-5[/ame]
     
  2. #2 Lay Low, Oct 27, 2011
    2-4 plants would work. Definitely LST because 5' of height will cause problems if you don't, and even if you don't have height problems it's really good to LST anyways to have a more even canopy.

    If it doesn't make any difference to you regarding floor space, etc., get a square tent instead of a rectangle. A 3x3 would be a lot better than a 4x2 because it will more closely match the light spread from whatever light source you plan on using. Using a single light in a 4x2 area will give you a big hotspot right under the bulb with dramatic falloff towards the edges. Not ideal. I'd also get a tent with a silver lining, not a white lining. Some of the white ones in the past have actually been toxic and killed plants. Even though it says non toxic in the description, I wouldn't want to take any chances.
     
  3. #3 DBV, Oct 27, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 27, 2011
    Thanks for the tips. I see what your saying about 3x3. I thought this one sounded good for the price, but it's probably too good to be true. Haha. Do you know of any good deals for a 3x3'? Do they make 3x3x4' and would that be enough space if I LST do you think?

    edit: On second look, I'm thinking maybe this one since it has free shipping.. that makes it only 20$ more and enough height to fully veg.. (the mylar is silver right?)

    [ame]http://www.amazon.com/LED-Wholesalers-GYO1005A-Reflective-Hydroponic/dp/B002TZTS8E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1319727965&sr=1-1[/ame]
     
  4. #4 Lay Low, Oct 27, 2011
    Don't limit your height if you don't have to. I'd get 5' height bare minimum. I've never seen a 3x3 with a height less than 5' anyways, but I'm sure someone makes one. The less common sizes are usually a bit more expensive though. Ebay is better than amazon for tent buying. Just search 3x3 and get a cheap one with a silver/mylar lining. It won't be expensive.

    What kind of lighting are you planning on using? And are you going to be using an air cooled reflector? Those factors play a part in how much usable vertical space you will have.
     
  5. #5 DBV, Oct 27, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 27, 2011
    I was planning on buying this setup:

    [ame=http://www.amazon.com/Ulti-lumenx-Pressure-Sodium-Electronic-Digital/dp/B004YXDLCS/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1319721830&sr=8-8]Amazon.com: Ulti-lumenx 400w Hps/mh High Pressure Sodium Metal Halide Electronic Digital Grow Lights System w/ Timer: Home & Garden[/ame]

    It seems like a good deal with built-in timer, built in fan cooling, MH bulb and HPS bulb included.. I can't seem to find lumen output of bulbs in that link, but I'm going to look through google..

    btw, if I really needed to, I could probably cut the pipes a little shorter for the tent I think even though they're metal.. I just think 76" is too much. I'm thinking 60" for my space.. maybe like 66" or 70".. Just gotta make sure they're all even! Haha
     
  6. #6 Lay Low, Oct 27, 2011
    That is a good deal for the light setup, but I would highly suggest an air cooled reflector. The heat difference is huge between air cooled and non air cooled.

    Also don't get a 78" tent if you plan on cutting it down that much. It's possible of course, but then you will have a shitload of extra tent material that will scrunch up and be really loose fitting, and it will be a pain in the ass to open and close the tent with all that extra material. It's much better to just find a 60" if you can. I know from experience, lol. I cut only like 8" from my tent, and I have those problems. If you cut 18" your problems will be much bigger than mine.
     
  7. #7 DBV, Oct 27, 2011
    Yea ebay seems to be about 10$ cheaper. Thanks for the heads up!
     
  8. #8 DBV, Oct 27, 2011
    Good point! Lol, I didn't even consider the extra material.. :smoke:

    The light says it's fan cooled, is this separate from the reflector I take it?
     
  9. #9 DBV, Oct 27, 2011
    I see now it says the ballast is fan cooled... :( It seems like such a good deal, but I don't want to buy that then have to spend another hundred on a better reflector. Guess I'll keep looking.
     
  10. #10 Lay Low, Oct 27, 2011

    I didn't consider it either until I cut the shit, lol. I still would have done it though because I just didn't have a choice.


    The ballast is fan cooled, not the reflector. That is just a normal open batwing reflector. Air cooled reflectors are sealed with glass. They will have 4", 6", or 8" holes on both sides of the reflector to hook up ducting. You will need an inline fan to connect to the ducting in order to exhaust the hot air coming from the bulb. 200-300 CFM inline fan would probably work fine for a 400 watt HPS.
     
  11. #11 DBV, Oct 27, 2011
    Ok, thanks for all your help man! Guess I'll keep looking.
     
  12. #12 Lay Low, Oct 27, 2011
    No problem broski. Good luck.
     
  13. #13 Tihspeed, Oct 27, 2011
  14. #14 Tihspeed, Oct 27, 2011
    400w - HPS - Hydrolux Cool Tube 6 in
    [​IMG]

    this is a HPS lighting package...

    you can upgrade the bulbs and ballast for a few extra bucks... pretty low prices and good shipping... im sure its more than you wanted to spend based on that price tag on that link you posted... but i find it hard to beat this sites prices... they have alot more packages if you look
     
  15. #15 Bullistic, Oct 28, 2011
    I bought a 4x4x6.5 tent for like $109 delivered. Doing 4 plant scrog under a 1000w HPS/MH, air cooled reflector, carbon filter, smart pots, FFOF soil, etc. Spent under $1000 and I expect to yield 20 oz MINNIMUM. If you have the money to put into better stuff now, it will more then pay for itself after the first harvest.
     
  16. #16 DBV, Oct 28, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 28, 2011
    Actually this is about the price range I'm expecting now for an air cooled lighting system... Thanks a lot for the link! I'm trying to find a setup that includes a timer and hopefully even the fans included... Also, does anyone know which is better; the tube reflectors or the bigger style? For some reason I think I'd prefer the bigger style, but I want to make sure I get the best.

    I think I've seen the tent your talking about and I'm thinking about getting it since it's only a little more than the 3x3. The only thing is 4x4 is a lot of space for where it's going..

    Also, I'd really like to get a 1000 watt HPS/MH, but I'm afraid of the spike in electric bills. Do you guys think 400 watts is enough for 4 plants? I should be able to keep them about 8" away if it's air cooled right? I think the highest I'll go is 600, but I'd really like to stay at 400 if I can..
     
  17. #17 DBV, Oct 28, 2011
    I'm really liking this one:

    [ame=http://www.amazon.com/Dimmable-Digital-Growing-Ballast-Reflector/dp/B002TNDCVK/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&s=miscellaneous&qid=1319773657&sr=8-8]Amazon.com: New Dimmable 600 Watt HPS + MH Digital Grow Light W/ 6" Air Cooled Hood Plant Growing Light Lamp. Digital HPS MH Ballast + HPS Bulb + Air Cool Reflector + Timer + Pair Yoyo: Everything Else[/ame]

    I like the squarish shape to the reflector since my tent will be square, and I like the dimmable ballast for early vegging. That way I can put it around 400 early and change it to 600 for flowering/late veg. What do you guys think about the package?
     
  18. #18 Lay Low, Oct 28, 2011

    Looks decent. Definitely go for the square, bigger reflectors over the cool tubes. Cool tubes have horrible light spread, but they are more efficient at cooling. The efficiency isn't worth the sacrifice in light spread though imo, especially when using just one light. Cool tubes are more suitable for long chains of lights connected to each other. In a square tent you want the biggest, most square reflector you can afford. Definitely get the 600 over the 400. It won't be too much more on the power bill and it's the perfect wattage for a 3x3 tent. 600 is also the most efficient wattage number, meaning it produces more lumens per watt than any other size. 1000 is the second most efficient, then 400 watters come after that.
     
  19. #19 DBV, Oct 28, 2011
    Awesome! I'm definitely thinking that's the one then, along with the air duct and tubing for 286$ total. I only need an intake air duct for the light right? And do you think I need a carbon scrubber for exhaust or is there virtually no scent? A little's ok, but I don't want enough that you can smell it from ground level (the grows in the basement).
     
  20. #20 Lay Low, Oct 28, 2011

    You still need an inline fan. Get a 300+ CFM if you go with the 600. You should also vent outside of your house to get rid of the heat, and you will definitely need a carbon filter if you don't want your entire house smelling.
     
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