This morning I put together a very nice 5x5x7.5 tent I got online for about $170. I had a minor issue putting the canvas on and tore a little hole in it. Of all my complaints, they are kinda a bitch to set up. Easier than doing it yourself though. I tried that, didn't work well. The cost of the PVC and the jointing is going to run you $40-$50, then you need the reflective shit, so another $40, and duct tape of course because your a man, and you do man things with tape, so another $10. Then you have to piece it all together. Why do all that and spend $90 to $100 in process when you can get a tent for $100 to $150 on ebay and know that it will work right, with zippers and duct holes and shit like that?
They do provide a place for hanging things like ventilation and lighting without damaging walls and ceilings. They are also portable, no matter the size of room. I chose a 5x5 because that's the proposed limit of space in California on Prop. 19 and because it's the perfect size for my 1000w lamp. Most of all, they eliminate the issue of light tightness and will help a new grower from unintentionally flashing their flowering plants with light during the dark period. I won't grow without a tent because I'll never need more than 25 square feet and a 1000w bulb. I'm pulling like .5 grams per watt on a bad grow, and if I get it dialed in this time I'm set. I'm not growing to sell, I grow so that I can smoke the best shit around. So identify your needs, get yourself a light and a tent that match up with these needs, and be done with it. Eventually it's just plug and play, and I get to keep the other 95 square feet of my spare 10x12 bedroom. I'm planning on putting in a couch, and a really small exhaust system with carbon filter that I can turn on when I'm smoking. That way I can open up all the doors and windows on the tent, turn on some tunes, smoke out, and have it all vented outside scent free without damaging the plants.
I'm rambling because I'm hella high. I'm going to stop now.