Looking for an Economical Grow Tent Kit

A

automanLST

Member
I'm looking to purchase a grow tent kit (everything included, e.g. filters, ducting, etc). I was about to buy this Vivosun tent kit, but it's tough to cough-up $500 without knowing all of my options. I'd prefer to pay much less if possible.

Ideally I'd like to grow 4 auto's at once in 5 gallon fabric pots, but if the price is right I'd be willing to just do 2 since this is my first time doing an indoor grow anyways.

I've been looking on craigslist but I don't know if I want to buy anything second-hand. I am willing to piece the kit together if it's more economical to go that route, however obviously I'd prefer to get it all in one kit to reduce complexity, since I have no idea what I'm doing LOL.

I will be low stress training, so that should reduce the height requirements, I'd assume. My basement has low clearance so it would need to be under 72 inches tall (six feet).

Any suggestions on an economical tent kit, or is the Vivosun kit I referenced about as good as it gets?
 
H

Homelessliving

Member
automanLST said:
I'm looking to purchase a grow tent kit (everything included, e.g. filters, ducting, etc). I was about to buy this Vivosun tent kit, but it's tough to cough-up $500 without knowing all of my options. I'd prefer to pay much less if possible.

Ideally I'd like to grow 4 auto's at once in 5 gallon fabric pots, but if the price is right I'd be willing to just do 2 since this is my first time doing an indoor grow anyways.

I've been looking on craigslist but I don't know if I want to buy anything second-hand. I am willing to piece the kit together if it's more economical to go that route, however obviously I'd prefer to get it all in one kit to reduce complexity, since I have no idea what I'm doing LOL.

Any suggestions on an economical tent kit, or is the Vivosun kit I referenced about as good as it gets?
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i would suggest getting a used one if your trying to save money, Vivosun is great i even have their vs4000 watt light!
 
Lenin1917

Lenin1917

Well-Known Member
You’ll spend less piecing it together separately.
If you have cats go ac infinity on the tent, much thicker and denser fabric than vivosun and comparable price. With your budget I’d say a 3x3 with 300w led should do good. Check the best deals thread. Fan/filter any 4-6in should do.
 
A

automanLST

Member
Homelessliving said:
i would suggest getting a used one if your trying to save money, Vivosun is great i even have their vs4000 watt light!
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I was under the impression something like this with so many parts is something you'd want to buy new. People have had good experiences buying used tent kits? I didn't wanna have to replace something sooner than I'd need to, but that is indeed food for thought. Thanks for responding.
 
K

Kgrim

Well-Known Member
Check Facebook Marketplace. Around here it's chock full of tents and lights from people who thought they would grow their own because it's legal, then soon found out that it takes work to grow Marijuana. They thought it was buy a light, a tent, pop a seed, and Walla, instant buds. As soon as they found out that it takes work, they pack it up, and set in the corner, and sell it off. A friend of mine got $3k worth of hydro equipment that didn't even go a full cycle for $350, because the guy threw a bunch of money at equipment, not knowing what he was doing, and thought because he spent all this money, that it would be "easy". As soon as he realized there was work and commitment involved, tore the system down and sold it for pennies on the dollar.
 
A

automanLST

Member
Lenin1917 said:
You’ll spend less piecing it together separately.
If you have cats go ac infinity on the tent, much thicker and denser fabric than vivosun and comparable price. With your budget I’d say a 3x3 with 300w led should do good. Check the best deals thread. Fan/filter any 4-6in should do.
Click to expand...
I didn't even think about pets causing issues. Yeah, we have 1 cat; cats can cause problems on indoor grow tents, huh?

Piecing it together seems like a daunting task, as I'm not sure what all I need to buy other than the tent, light, and fan. There's ducting and filters as well, is that it, just those 5 items?
 
A

automanLST

Member
Kgrim said:
Check Facebook Marketplace. Around here it's chock full of tents and lights from people who thought they would grow their own because it's legal, then soon found out that it takes work to grow Marijuana. They thought it was buy a light, a tent, pop a seed, and Walla, instant buds. As soon as they found out that it takes work, they pack it up, and set in the corner, and sell it off. A friend of mine got $3k worth of hydro equipment that didn't even go a full cycle for $350, because the guy threw a bunch of money at equipment, not knowing what he was doing, and thought because he spent all this money, that it would be "easy". As soon as he realized there was work and commitment involved, tore the system down and sold it for pennies on the dollar.
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Thanks for the suggestion. Yeah, I know it's work, I enjoy it though. I did an outside grow last year, messed up a lot, but learned a lot as well.
 
Lenin1917

Lenin1917

Well-Known Member
automanLST said:
I didn't even think about pets causing issues. Yeah, we have 1 cat; cats can cause problems on indoor grow tents, huh?

Piecing it together seems like a daunting task, as I'm not sure what all I need to buy other than the tent, light, and fan. There's ducting and filters as well, is that it, just those 5 items?
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They like to scratch them. I have 6
 
coreywebster

coreywebster

Well-Known Member
A few points.

That light in that kit is square and would not offer good coverage over a 2x4 space.

It's also 200w which is too little for 8 Square feet.

Buy a tent new, you don't know what's been in it, as in bugs or mould, you don't know if there's damaged zips ect on a second hand one.

Nothing wrong with second hand fans of good quality.

Don't buy second hand filters, you don't know how long it's been used.

Do buy acoustic ducting new.

Shop around for lights. A couple of smaller ones like 150w of equal efficency would be better for 2x4 tent.

Many 2x4s are 60" high.

Any kit is not taking into account your own local climate , a hot area will require more ventilation , as in a bigger fan, a cold area will be the opposite.

Don't rush into anything and check the daily deals threads or even the advertisers threads for comps to win lights .
 
A

automanLST

Member
Are those the only 5 items I need to piece-together, or are there more things to get? I've only been looking at kits up to this point, so I dont know the exhaustive list of parts
 
Lenin1917

Lenin1917

Well-Known Member
Kgrim said:
Check Facebook Marketplace. Around here it's chock full of tents and lights from people who thought they would grow their own because it's legal, then soon found out that it takes work to grow Marijuana. They thought it was buy a light, a tent, pop a seed, and Walla, instant buds. As soon as they found out that it takes work, they pack it up, and set in the corner, and sell it off. A friend of mine got $3k worth of hydro equipment that didn't even go a full cycle for $350, because the guy threw a bunch of money at equipment, not knowing what he was doing, and thought because he spent all this money, that it would be "easy". As soon as he realized there was work and commitment involved, tore the system down and sold it for pennies on the dollar.
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Opposite of how I started lol. For me it was how do I spend as little as possible, went with a 3x3 tent a 400w hid, 6 in booster fan for exhaust and a stand-alone dwc bucket. Made that shit work, now I’m rocking two 4x4s a 2x4 and about 2k watts in lighting. I hate an “ima buy my way through it motherfucker”
 
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coreywebster

coreywebster

Well-Known Member
Tent
Lights adequate for the space
Fan
Filter
Duct
Circulation fans (probably 2)
Duct clamps though I use tape.
Temp and rh reader. ($6)
Pots
Power points.
Basic 24 hour timer if using led
Or a contractor timer if using hps
 
K

Kgrim

Well-Known Member
Lenin1917 said:
Opposite of how I started lol. For me it was how do I spend as little as possible, went with a 3x3 tent a 400w hid, 6 in booster fan for exhaust and a stand-alone dwc bucket. Made that shit work, now I’m rocking two 4x4s a 2x4 and about 2k watts in lighting. I hate an “ima buy my through it motherfucker”
Click to expand...
EXACTLY!!!!!! There are so many people around here that think they can just throw a ton of money down, and poof, buds will magically appear. When I started many many moons ago, I had to throw big money for a 1000watt HPS setup, and drive 200 miles round trip to buy it, as that was the closest "grow shop" around, and the inter web didn't exist.
The wife isnt too happy with me at the moment, because I told her that I'm getting back into the indoor game, and have yet to finish off my space after a 12 year hiatus, and still have a few more things to get it completed. She will calm down when she has some fresh flower and hash to smoke come 4th of July while my outdooor run is growing good. She knows I don't have a lot of "hobbies" and that having a garden of plants is top of my list, besides my Classic Cars so she hasn't bitched too bad, LOL.
 
A

automanLST

Member
I'm about to buy that 4x4. Are used lights a no go? Also is there a specific shape of light that's better than others? Google says a 600w would suffice, do you agree? Again, I'm planning on running 4-5 gallon fabric pots for now.
 
Rahz

Rahz

Well-Known Member
automanLST said:
I'm looking to purchase a grow tent kit (everything included, e.g. filters, ducting, etc). I was about to buy this Vivosun tent kit, but it's tough to cough-up $500 without knowing all of my options. I'd prefer to pay much less if possible.

Ideally I'd like to grow 4 auto's at once in 5 gallon fabric pots, but if the price is right I'd be willing to just do 2 since this is my first time doing an indoor grow anyways.

I've been looking on craigslist but I don't know if I want to buy anything second-hand. I am willing to piece the kit together if it's more economical to go that route, however obviously I'd prefer to get it all in one kit to reduce complexity, since I have no idea what I'm doing LOL.

I will be low stress training, so that should reduce the height requirements, I'd assume. My basement has low clearance so it would need to be under 72 inches tall (six feet).

Any suggestions on an economical tent kit, or is the Vivosun kit I referenced about as good as it gets?
Click to expand...
Buy them separately and you'll get a good fan and filter for similar price. If you're wanting a 2x4 consider the 2x4 at HTG supply (28"x52" 10sq/ft) or Oppolite 60"x32" (on Amazon 13.5 sq/ft) if you would like a little extra space.
 
F

Finders

Active Member
ac infinity tents are awesome, their inline fans and carbon filter too. some things you shouldn't go for the cheaper version, there is no rush in life, if it takes you one month to get the tent and exhaust, grab the light the next month and while you are waiting, use a cfl with some seedlings
 
F

Finders

Active Member
impulse buying is the worst thing ever when setting up. like some have said, can just build a grow area, some wood, some panda plastic and squared away, just don't rush these things and figure out what you want.
 
RIS

RIS

Well-Known Member
Finders said:
impulse buying is the worst thing ever when setting up. like some have said, can just build a grow area, some wood, some panda plastic and square away, just don't rush these things and figure out what you want.
Click to expand...
I did just this. I am sending the tent and exhaust back soon and need to shop around this time, a hard lesson learned.
 
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