For an investment of less than $500, you can equip your grow room with a tent to house and nurture your cannabis plants. If you've never bought a grow tent before, you probably have some questions about how to choose one. This guide should answer your questions about purchasing indoor grow tents while highlighting their features and benefits.
Do you need a tent to grow indoors?
For many cannabis cultivators, an indoor grow tent is the secret to a successful harvest. Grow tents are energy-efficient money savers. They are also effective at keeping out pests such as aphids and spider mites, which can damage plants. Further, high-quality tents come with air filtration systems that keep clean air circulating while cycling out the dirty air. Finally, a grow tent provides a dedicated space to install essential cannabis growing equipment, such as lights and fans.
Are indoor grow tents safe?
There are several factors to keep in mind when considering the safety of indoor grow tents. Tent material is one factor. Purchase a high-quality grow tent for optimal safety. Tents priced at less than $100 should be avoided, as they may be low-quality and likely to cause more headaches than they're worth.
Lighting is a safety issue in any indoor growing environment, so keep a watchful eye on your lamps and make sure they're not too close to the plants. Improper distancing of lights can cause marijuana plants to burn. Be sure hot lights are not too close to tent material either.
Steer clear of tents made from PVC (polyvinyl chloride) or PU (polyurethane) because they may release toxic gasses that are harmful to your plants, as well as to you and any other people or pets in your household.
If you go with a top-shelf product like the Gorilla Grow Tent, which retails for about $350, then you can avoid possible safety pitfalls. For about $250, there's the mid-range Secret Jardin mylar tent, which is a type of polyester film that won't poison your environment like PVC or PU.
Choosing the right size grow tent
Before considering the size tent, factor in durability and how long you want the product to last. We've noted that PVC is a potentially dangerous material, while thick canvas is the most desirable for tents as it is light yet durable and, most importantly, safe. The lightweight flexibility of the tent material makes them a better option than bulky grow boxes.
The best grow tents will have ample air pockets for ventilation, viewing windows, a sturdy zipper, and good insulation to prevent water leaks. All of the following tent models should come with these options, in addition to duct ports, pocket pouches, and wide entranceways.
Small Garden (3 plants): One of the smallest tent options available typically measure at 48” x 24” x 60” and can house 3 full-size plants or 8 small plants.
Medium Garden (6 plants): To accommodate up to 16 petite plants or as many as 4 full-size cannabis plants, go for a medium-sized tent measuring at 48” x 48” x 78”.
Large Garden (8 plants): If you expand your marijuana garden, you can upgrade to a larger tent to accommodate up to 25 smallish plants or 8 full-size plants. A large rectangular base model measuring at 96” x 48” x 78”, or 4 by 8 feet in area and 6.5 feet in height, should do the trick. Larger tents come with more customized options, such as beam roof support to hang lights and a convenient pocket pouch to store accessories like pruning shears.
Setting up a grow tent
Even if you've never gone camping and pitched a tent in the woods, setting up a tent in your home should be an easy process. In the span of an afternoon, you can have a tent up and running. First, clear space in your grow room, then unfurl the tent and assemble according to the product manufacturer's instructions. Many tents are designed with novices in mind and are not complicated to set up.
Once you've erected the tent, it's time to customize it by hanging lights and exhaust fans. Rope ratchets are ideal to hang these items inside the tent. After the fans are in place, it's a good idea to hang a carbon filter in the back of the tent to prevent air leaks and accompanying odors from escaping the tent. Odor control is a concern for any grower who doesn't want the whole house to reek of cannabis. Finally, run a safety check to make sure that everything has been hung securely and that all electronics are higher than ground level to avoid a dangerous disaster should a water leak occur.
For a modest investment of time and money, indoor grow tents can shelter your marijuana garden with everything it needs to thrive.