Grow Tent VS. Built Room

[JohnnyAppleseed15]

First of all let me say hello to everyone. This is my first time posting in this forum and I'm looking forward to meeting everyone.

I'm moving into a new apartment and I've been debating whether or not I should continue using tents. Lately I've been noticing some small light leaks through the tent so I've been thinking I should build a room. If I were to go with a room I am little worried how I would go about carrying all the wood I need up to my place without raising eyebrows.

I want to know what you guys think is better- Tent or Room and why? Any other tips on building the room are welcome as well I apoligize in advance if there's already a thread like this one.

 

[dtowndabber]

First off, welcome to riu!

2nd, tents are great for numerous reasons. One they are prebuilt and typically easy to put together, you can take them down in a hurry, and most have built in ventilation to help with internal temperatures. No construction required.

It's easy to build whatever you want in a house, but hauling in all the supplies required will be tricky. As well as you will need to make serious changes to the apt. A tentwill be easier for inspections or maintenance. Whereas a whole room would need carpet removed, windows sealed, ventilation, etc.

My opinion. Don't build a room unless you own.

 

[Walter9999]

Rent=Tent...it's not your place to be building rooms in some apt building...it all sounds like a sketchy plan at best...g/l

 

[MircalGrow]

If your not in a legal state, and growing in a Apt= scary to me. My old apt before I bought came by to inspect all the damn time. at least for times a year. No way I could have pulled it off there.

 

[JohnnyAppleseed15]

The place I'm moving into only does inspections every 3 years and they just did one so I'm good to go there. Plus I'm a WA state medical patient, but rent=tent pretty much somes it up. Sounds like tent is going to be the way to go until I can get my own house. Thanks for the input!

 

[colonuggs]

No need for a tent or room construction

I grew for years in a 3x6 clothes closet with 2 - 400s.... popped the doors off turned 1 sideways for the front

the wooden rod to hang clothes on... I used to hang my lights

I put black sheets on the bedroom window and carbon vented out that same window

 

[TreeOfLiberty]

I have 2 tents. I live in CO too, so no concern over jail/arrest but the threat of eviction could still be a possibility.

Even though I do use tents, I'd rather have a place with a walk-in closet or run 2 stealth clothes armoire dressers. I still think growing stealth is the best way to grow, especially if you are a renter. Next year I'm going to be moving and it's going to come down to an apartment or a large used RV to live in inside an RV park.

I would not go with a built room as a renter even in WA or CO. I'd go with a tent before a built room, but I'd go with 2 of these type of stealth dressers before going with tents and do a perpetual grow harvesting one stealth dresser every 4 weeks >

https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?p=336467#post336467

Even in a legal state, growing still comes with a security compromise when you have to rent your residence and getting evicted could be a possibility. This is why I think renters should consider growing stealth. Even though I have 2 small tents, I'd rather have something stealth that the landlord could be in the same room doing an inspection and not even have a clue what was in it. I've been fortunate enough to keep my landlord OUT of my bedroom since my bedroom has no gas heater like 2 other rooms where I live. He's only been interested in keeping track of anything mechanical or appliance like. In the winter time I use a mini-propane coleman heater that runs off 1 pound bottles that I refill. The wiring in the cabin I live in is OLD, but being as I only use a 250 HPS and some fluoros , I've never worried about the wiring being a hazard. I keep multiple smoke detectors and multiple carbon monoxide detectors in the cabin with 2 fire extinguishers.

One tent is a 2.5 x 2.5 x 5 foot with a 250 HPS and the other tent is a bit smaller 2 foot x 2 foot x 5 foot with T12s ( 2 foot fixtures ). I've only had one inspection since 2010 and that was last December but I kept the landlord out of my bedroom.

This is why when I move next year I'm going to find me 2 stealth dressers. I've been looking on craigslist for the past 2 years and can't find the size I want.

 

[JohnnyAppleseed15]

Probably should've mentioned this earlier but I'm going to be running 2 1000watts so stealth isn't really an option. I'm probably just going to get a 8x4 tent. Anyone know which brands have the strongest support to hang lights and minimal light leaks?

 

[Csufan97]

Light can always be an issue with a tent IMHO throw down on a build and plan for expansion otherwise your going to waste a shit load of money expanding. My recent experience only... Wish I had gone big to start.

 

[TreeOfLiberty]

My biggest tent is a Secret Jardin, it's rated at 66 lbs. of what can be hung from it. It's put together better than my smaller GrowLab which has a lot of pin holes. No matter what brand you get, get 2 rolls of silver foil tape and tape up every corner seam, like I have mine in the picture. The constant negative pressure tug will pull until you have light leaks. I have an article from HighTimes that recommend taping up all the seams to prevent light leaks.Leave nothing to chance no matter what brand of tent says they are light leak proof because they will all eventually end up having leaks whether 6 weeks or 6 months down the line. It's not worth it to chance. This is my Secret Jardin with one roll of foil tape well used. $7.00 is a minimal investment to prevent light leaks >

 

[Flaming Pie]

I don't really see why people worry about light leaks so much. a few pinpricks of light won't even reach the plant. An open vent I can understand, but light from a desk lamp going through holes smaller than a millimeter?

 

[JohnnyAppleseed15]

My biggest tent is a Secret Jardin, it's rated at 66 lbs. of what can be hung from it. It's put together better than my smaller GrowLab which has a lot of pin holes. No matter what brand you get, get 2 rolls of silver foil tape and tape up every corner seam, like I have mine in the picture. The constant negative pressure tug will pull until you have light leaks. I have an article from HighTimes that recommend taping up all the seams to prevent light leaks.Leave nothing to chance no matter what brand of tent says they are light leak proof because they will all eventually end up having leaks whether 6 weeks or 6 months down the line. It's not worth it to chance. This is my Secret Jardin with one roll of foil tape well used. $7.00 is a minimal investment to prevent light leaks >

Solid advice, thanks. I didn't think to use the foil tape I've tried using duct tape before and it didn't ever really stick well to my tent.

 

[Rastafari InI]

LOL about all this duct tape stuff. I have said it once it will have to another 1000 times, you get what you PAY for. (most times).

If money is not a problem then buy a gorilla grow tent i guarantee you will never have a problem, not with light leaks, the fabric will never rip its very thick, and the frame work is SOLID steel and holds up to 300lb+. me and my friend can swing on the top supports and they dont even bend, i use a big carbon filter and heavy lights and with this tent i dont have to worry about it collapsing,

If i bought a cheaper tent i it would have probably broke and would of had to buy a better one anyway, so i think as far as tents are concerned you should go big or go home lol, you really dont want your tent collapsing destroying plants, equipment and possibly even causing a fire with the lights. IMO Its a good idea to buy a very good tent first time, if your only using very small/light equipment and lights and dont think you will EVER buy bigger equipment then theres no need to buy an expensive tent... But most people do, and they end up having to upgrade tents so essentially they wasted money on buying there first tent, which you have already done once, just my .02$

check them out there by far the best tent on the market At this time
http://www.gorillagrowtent.com

Additionally there are very other helpful advantages that people have not mentioned, with a tent it is usually much easier to control the environment as you are usually working with a lot less space than with a grow room, also in a tent there is more light reflected and its more effective usually as the space is smaller. Even when i get a my own house i will always use grow tents.

Peace

 

[JohnnyAppleseed15]

Wow, yeah those tents look like they're very well worth the money. Definitely going to have to get me one of those. Thanks for your input.

 

[its a hobby honey !]

My biggest tent is a Secret Jardin, it's rated at 66 lbs. of what can be hung from it. It's put together better than my smaller GrowLab which has a lot of pin holes. No matter what brand you get, get 2 rolls of silver foil tape and tape up every corner seam, like I have mine in the picture. The constant negative pressure tug will pull until you have light leaks. I have an article from HighTimes that recommend taping up all the seams to prevent light leaks.Leave nothing to chance no matter what brand of tent says they are light leak proof because they will all eventually end up having leaks whether 6 weeks or 6 months down the line. It's not worth it to chance. This is my Secret Jardin with one roll of foil tape well used. $7.00 is a minimal investment to prevent light leaks >



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ok let me get this straight (i rent and build ) you buy a tent, Then the advice on how to make it work properly /not fall apart let light in / and have the metal to hold op a light .
I am sorry but the whole ghetto approach to a new tent seems a little illogical captain LOL

I have always wondered if my northern lights ever missed real stars ???????????

 

[Someacdude]

Good thread, thanks guys

 

[grow the doe doe]

I say it just really depends on the potential utility of the rooms you have where you are and the skills you would need to do a good job at covering up once you no longer are going to be living where you were growing. If both variables are in favor of the room go for it. I did but what i found is i am having trouble controlling the temperature and this is due to what I assume is because there are 5 surfaces that are at the mercy of the temperature of the building I am living in. I am in an apartment. I am building a modular tent veg room so well see how i like it.

If you have the funds to do a bad ass tent set up ...tents are great because they are modular units and are super efficient and provide great environments that are easy to minipulate which is CRUCIAL. The tent is also an easier climate to control as you can effect the temperature of the inside as well as the outside of the tent on all sides except the floor (without doing something crazy lol) either through AC or directing air about the surfaces. Most tents are insulated due to the types of materials used to build them but any thing you can do to just bring down the temp a little bit makes all the difference on the hot days.

If you go for a tent I suggest making your own if you have the aspiration to do so. You can get the half black half white reflective plastic for the walls and ceiling for super cheap online or at a store and get PVC piping for the "skeleton" of your tent slap some duct tape on it to tie every thing together. WAY satisfying as well haha. Thats how im building my veg tentitcles

Cheers

 

[ghb]

get a good quality tent and you shouldn't have any light leaks. there really is no comparison in my eyes, i can't think of one benefit of having a room other than maximizing space.