Seems like everyone uses a grow tent. I'm only going to be growing a single plant at a time. I'll be using a qb135 3000 v2 I just ordered for a light. First off, what are the benefits of using a tent if I'm growing in a 12' x 12' sealed room (no windows or traditional doorways) and closest sunlight is 2-3 rooms away? The ceiling in the room is somewhere between just under 7'. If a tent is indeed the way to go for several reasons....what is the optimal size/brand for a single plant? Thanks!
Before you do anything, you're gonna need to figure out the venting. That moist warm air has to go somewhere otherwise your gonna run into some issues. MInd you if you're only growing one plant, it might suffice as long as smell isn't an issue cause you'll need to let some air into that room.
for one plant, depends on how big ya wanna grow it. i have a plant in my tent that if i had vegged 2 more weeks coulda filled my 4 x 4 on its own.
TBH, if I had a 12 x 12, i'd skip the tent setup the grow in a corner humidity control is my challenge right now in my tent. trying to find he balance between heat and humidity in the room and then in turn in the tent. would be easier without the tent!
hey emt, I grew for years without a tent. I didn't mind, didn't need to worry about heating issues or high humidity. Then I wanted to separate plants based on their lighting schedules, so I moved on to some smaller tents. I can fill up a 2x4 with one plant put not with a qb135, I use 2x meizu 800 boards. I also grew a nice plant in the spring with 2x304 boards in a 2x3. I will attach a picture. Its really 'how big do you want to go' issue. If its just one plant, maybe a 2x3 is all you need, but the 2x4 is taller. Start with that, then maybe buy more later? CONS- tent humidity, temps and ventilation need to be managed. You (may) need separate items to control variables. PROS- more reflection (better light efficiency), less chance of pest invasion, containment, independent light schedule. cheers,
I want to be able to harvest as much as possible. My first/last grow was really pathetic. Once dried it yielded well under half an ounce even though the plant was 4' high or so. But that was with a single cfl, dollar store dirt, and it attracted mites. This time I've got better lighting, Mammoth P, Fox Farms, etc....just not sure if a tent is needed and what the optimal size of it would be to maximize the lighting. Thanks
emt, you need more than a qb132, bud. I said I use two 800 boards which is like ~6x that in a 2x4. I did use 2x 304 boards in the 2x3 and was thinking of adding a 300V vipraspecter in the middle, but already succeeded in a nice plant given those boards and that space. And not to rain on HLG's parade, but you can get a better deal if you buy the new LM301C strips and wire something for your room/tent that you want. Alternatively, check the alt thread where many converts have been created. Did you check any alternative suppliers and their boards?
See this right here blows my mind. I talked about lighting for 2-3 days straight in at least half a dozen threads here and you're the first person to share this information/resources AND to advise that a qb135 (not 132) isn't adequate. I cancelled my order just so I can do more homework. Thanks for sharing, I appreciate it.
Amazon has four qb120 or qb132’s for around $120. Add a Meanwell driver https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01BQUMJZ6/ref=ya_aw_od_pi?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Some 18 gauge solid core wire, aluminum angle, an old extension cord, and you’re in business with 240-300 watts for about $225
Part of the reason for a disappointing grow could be low humidity. Staying in the green of the VPD chart will yield maximum growth (Leaf temp ~ 5 F lower than air temp):
the 135 3000k is not a good veg light and not enough light to grow one plant imho. I have one. If you combine it with a better veg spectrum like the 4000k then those two lights combined are more than enough light for one plant. I think you mentioned in the other thread you had a blurple. So the blurple plus the 135 should do it. No way I would put a tent in that room. 12x12 no windows you got it made. You could rent that room to a pot grower. All you need for one plant is 200 watts. That is real watts from the wall. I have a 135 3000k and a 4000k for one plant. In a room that size heat is not an issue. Putting a tent in there would be totally insane. Then you would have the same heat/ventilation problems all tent users complain about daily. The 3000k is superior to hps IMO but In a room like that I might just go with a good 600w mh/hps. You could then grow 2 or three plants staggered of different strains which is nice when it comes to smoking different highs. The 135 is a really nice light for close space, but the 50w per square foot still applies to all lights. Many have pictures of pot grown with less, but I'll take the more light and be accused of overkill.
Thanks for that. What you say aluminum angle.....is that angle iron or something different? Also not sure how it would all fit together structurally. Do I need a heat sink? What about the little connectors or do I just splice it all together? Thanks!
The boards have little connectors on them. No heat sinks needed for these boards but a small fan blowing across the top wouldn’t hurt. I just built mine Monday and it was super easy
I see what you mean. Right now, the temp in the room is 82. It'll begin to cool off in the high 60's low 70's in the fall. However, it's very important that the humidity stay well below 50 in that room. I'm curious if there's a way to fool the plant into feeling like it's at the right temp and humidity even if the rest of the room really isn't? Maybe by misting it, aiming fans at it, etc.?? Thanks
I’d have to disagree about the 3k qb135. Is it the most ideal light for strictly vegging? No....can it be done? Absolutely!!! 3k is actually what HLG suggest for a start to finish spectrum...now obviously 3500k,4K and 5k. Are a better veg spectrum. But that doesn’t mean 3k won’t get the job done... And as for a qb135. Being enough light for 1 plant.. it most def is...the HLG 65 is enough light to finish one plant...There has been quite a few people that have harvested a plant off just 1 HLG 65...TheLukeMan another guy on this forum. Pulled 4 zips. From just using 1 HLG 65...and it was his first grow using the quantum boards.... Here a Fastbudz Blue Dream’matic auto that I just pulled 10 + zips off. . Used only 260 watts of qb120’s....all in 3000k. From start to finish grown in coco.... Good luck.. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk