Tent advice...

Gravity Man

Gravity Man

Member
Hello. Long time lurker, first time grower-to-be.


I want a tent. They seem easy. Secret Jardin is my choice.
I want to control odor...
I want to grow AT MOST two plants.


To the point... I would like a tent that is large enough for me to fit in with my plants simultaneously in an effort to contain the smell while I'm tending them.


What size would you recommend? I have tried laying out various objects around the house onto the floor in order to simulate elbow room in smaller tents. 2x4 seems doable. I could section off a 2x2 area for growing, leaving me a 2x2 space for standing room. 4x4 seems great, but is it too big? How about 3x3?


Not knowing how big a plant(s) can get using the ScrOG method, leaves me in the dark on this.


Thanks ahead of time. Your input is invaluable to me. Teach me.


GM
 
how big is the space you have for the tent? If your going to have odor control your tent will have a neg pressure which means you could tend your plants from the exterior. size I would get the largest that can go in the space you have. cause a larger tent you don't have to fill with plants. But a smaller tent you can't stretch to make bigger and your stuck.
 
slowandsteady said:
how big is the space you have for the tent? If your going to have odor control your tent will have a neg pressure which means you could tend your plants from the exterior. size I would get the largest that can go in the space you have. cause a larger tent you don't have to fill with plants. But a smaller tent you can't stretch to make bigger and your stuck.
Click to expand...

I'm actually ok with being "stuck". I only need enough herb for myself. I could get quite a large tent per my space requirements, but anything bigger than 4x4 seems wasteful for my intended purposes. Budget is a concern. $250 is the most I feel comfortable spending.
 
it would seem for 2 plants, and the price of all tent and equipment it would be more expensive than buying off the street, you could probably rig up something thats like a tent, for cheaper..if money is no issue than go with the tent im just frugal myself, though if you do get the tent and use it for other stuff too than it would be more worth it like growing food or doing osmething that cuts costs somewhere else
 
Gravity Man said:
Hello. Long time lurker, first time grower-to-be.


I want a tent. They seem easy. Secret Jardin is my choice.
I want to control odor...
I want to grow AT MOST two plants.


To the point... I would like a tent that is large enough for me to fit in with my plants simultaneously in an effort to contain the smell while I'm tending them.


What size would you recommend? I have tried laying out various objects around the house onto the floor in order to simulate elbow room in smaller tents. 2x4 seems doable. I could section off a 2x2 area for growing, leaving me a 2x2 space for standing room. 4x4 seems great, but is it too big? How about 3x3?


Not knowing how big a plant(s) can get using the ScrOG method, leaves me in the dark on this.


Thanks ahead of time. Your input is invaluable to me. Teach me.


GM
Click to expand...

I've got Secret Jardin tents for moms and clones, same room as flowering. They open right up so 'elbow room' is a non-issue. You will not waste an inch of space in there trust me you can count on filling them pretty much wall-to-wall.

4 by 4 is a very nice space to play with, yes. it's around 1.4 square meters and you won't believe how much I get off that exact amount of space doing SOG Al B. Fukt style. You can grow way, way more than you need with that much room.

You can never go too big, really. Leaves wiggle room for future and for your show to grow bigger as you get more experienced.

Look at the HEIGHT of the tents too, some of the smaller ones are a tad short. Might not be a problem then again it might be, that extra height really does help a LOT. I say again, 4 by 4, that's a nice one.

You want to do a ScROG? The beauty there is the plant will get as big as you choose. You'll be keeping it at a constant height, soon as you are happy with how much of your screen you've got full you can flower. ScROG is nice, you really have a lot of say in what happens. If you have the patience a nicely done ScROG filling the whole screen will blow your mind.

Just keep space and amount of lighting in mind, in a 4 by 4 I'd seriously say go for a 1000watt fixture, air-cooled hood. It KICKS. You only really need the HPS if budget is tight, I only started running my first halides a few months ago after many years of HPS only. I am yet to notice the benefits.

Words of caution: They leak light. If you've got feminised seed growing in there, take some extra care and make covers for the zips. Second problem, if you stop extracting air for a single minute, they let smell out. FAST. Thirdly, they are not exactly tanks. I've seen many ruined during setup already. They fit the frames snug as a bug, forcing them just a little will rip a zip. And that's the last one: Prepare yourself, you WILL have to replace zips at some point.

Also bear in mind that a well ventilated tent with a cool tube will sit at roughly the ambient temperature of the room it is in (4 by 4 is nice for growing but where does the A/C go?). So if you are thinking climate control you have to think the WHOLE ROOM it is in. This is sometimes bit of a deal-breaker, as it ends up being much more simple just sectioning off a corner in the room with some visqueen plastic.

If you have zero experience building a grow area, go for it, absolutely. If you're a lazy stoner like me, go for it, they are very convenient and just need a few tweaks really.

But if you have experience with DIY and don't mind reading through a few threads, you might come off much happier with a home build, and it might also be gentler on your pocket. Who knows I don't know your room but like I said, if you need to only section off a small bit some plastic, staples and a few bits of wood work just fine.
 
^^^^^^^Hermi issues due to light leaks through the jardin zippers?????? Never heard of that one mad hamish. Have you experienced that first hand? I find that hard to believe since the pin hole sized areas by the zippers are just that, pin hole sized.
 
sunni said:
it would seem for 2 plants, and the price of all tent and equipment it would be more expensive than buying off the street, you could probably rig up something thats like a tent, for cheaper..if money is no issue than go with the tent im just frugal myself, though if you do get the tent and use it for other stuff too than it would be more worth it like growing food or doing osmething that cuts costs somewhere else
Click to expand...

True, but eventually it would pay for itself. The main reason I am considering this is because I can't get herb on the streets where I am. I've literally asked homeboys in drive-thru's, dudes at my college, guys at the store (profiling them, obviously), and even my wife's friends, and I can't get a bite. It's dry, man. i haven't had herb in two months, and IT'S DEPRESSING! Also, growing my own is the safest way; not having to deal with possible scumbags, and keeping my activities as discreet as humanly possible. Wife agrees that this is the way to go. Besides that, I have passion for this. I designed my first hydro setup 12 years ago, but I was never in a position to capitalize on it (military) until now. It's a part of me, and I MUST do it.

I was actually in the process of building a tent out of PVC and Panda Film, but I was concerned that it wouldn't live up to my standards, which are high. I'm still waiting to buy a tent until the new SJ's get distributed to online retailers. Until then, I'll keep up withy the DiY scene for possible ideas.

Thanks for the reply, man!
 
Mad Hamish said:
I've got Secret Jardin tents for moms and clones, same room as flowering. They open right up so 'elbow room' is a non-issue. You will not waste an inch of space in there trust me you can count on filling them pretty much wall-to-wall.

4 by 4 is a very nice space to play with, yes. it's around 1.4 square meters and you won't believe how much I get off that exact amount of space doing SOG Al B. Fukt style. You can grow way, way more than you need with that much room.

You can never go too big, really. Leaves wiggle room for future and for your show to grow bigger as you get more experienced.

Look at the HEIGHT of the tents too, some of the smaller ones are a tad short. Might not be a problem then again it might be, that extra height really does help a LOT. I say again, 4 by 4, that's a nice one.

You want to do a ScROG? The beauty there is the plant will get as big as you choose. You'll be keeping it at a constant height, soon as you are happy with how much of your screen you've got full you can flower. ScROG is nice, you really have a lot of say in what happens. If you have the patience a nicely done ScROG filling the whole screen will blow your mind.

Just keep space and amount of lighting in mind, in a 4 by 4 I'd seriously say go for a 1000watt fixture, air-cooled hood. It KICKS. You only really need the HPS if budget is tight, I only started running my first halides a few months ago after many years of HPS only. I am yet to notice the benefits.

Words of caution: They leak light. If you've got feminised seed growing in there, take some extra care and make covers for the zips. Second problem, if you stop extracting air for a single minute, they let smell out. FAST. Thirdly, they are not exactly tanks. I've seen many ruined during setup already. They fit the frames snug as a bug, forcing them just a little will rip a zip. And that's the last one: Prepare yourself, you WILL have to replace zips at some point.

Also bear in mind that a well ventilated tent with a cool tube will sit at roughly the ambient temperature of the room it is in (4 by 4 is nice for growing but where does the A/C go?). So if you are thinking climate control you have to think the WHOLE ROOM it is in. This is sometimes bit of a deal-breaker, as it ends up being much more simple just sectioning off a corner in the room with some visqueen plastic.

If you have zero experience building a grow area, go for it, absolutely. If you're a lazy stoner like me, go for it, they are very convenient and just need a few tweaks really.

But if you have experience with DIY and don't mind reading through a few threads, you might come off much happier with a home build, and it might also be gentler on your pocket. Who knows I don't know your room but like I said, if you need to only section off a small bit some plastic, staples and a few bits of wood work just fine.
Click to expand...

4x4 seems to be a perfect size. Having never been in a tent, I wondered if smaller would work, but I just can't picture a 3x3 in my head. 2x4 seems logical even, at times. Honestly, I would prefer to stay at around 400 watts, MAYBE 600. I've even considered 250 watts for one nice ScrOG plant. With that being said, if I were to go 4x4, I would section off a corner of the tent for growing and drying. I'd grow and harvest and then restart. I have no need for perpetual growth. 1 Oz. a month would set me FREE. I have no medical need for the plant, only spiritual. Definitely air cooled hood, adjustable digital ballast, Phresh filter.

SCROGS ARE GORGEOUS! I am completely enamored with them.

As for light leak, I was under the impression that SJ's were some top of the line tents. What generation and model tents do you have? I was looking at the Darkroom II, which seems to be highly regarded for light tightness, but just a few weeks ago they changed their line. Revision 2.5 is out now, but I can't seem to find it online yet, except at Rogue Hydro. They JUST announced them. I wonder if they're even better with light.

And, of course, there's GORILLA, but DAYUM THAT PRICE! I can't really even consider a 4x4 for $400 before shipping. That just seems completely asinine to me, but they also seem like BADASS tents! I do worry about tears and broken zippers, but if I go cheap, I'm guaranteed to run into more, right?

As for AC, my space is large and in the coolest part of the house, the basement. Temperature shouldn't be an issue. I have central air, and I can always adjust the thermostat. Also, we have winter where I am. It gets cold as hell. Maybe I'll get some purple herb?

i have ZERO experience building a grow room, but I'm wiling to try. I have power tools, and adequate building ability. It's just that my standards are high. If a DIY tent gets anywhere near the cost of buying one, I'd sooner just buy one and get it over with, I guess. I'd make a SHITTY politician. I flip flop every second!

I will certainly check out some more DIY for ideas while I wait for the new Jardins to disseminate through the interwebs.

THANKS FOR THE LENGTHY REPLY! You've helped A LOT!
 
navyfighter04 said:
I built my tent with 2x4's and polyfilm with mylar for less than 50 bucks with zipper doors. Its a 7'w x 7'd x 7't. Heres a link to my post on my tent: https://www.rollitup.org/newbie-central/692193-new-grow-room-setup-new.html
Dont spend the ridiculous amount on tents. You cound even build one using polyfilm and pvc pipe. Just dont waist your money on buying a tent.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the encouragement! I need some of that for sure. Thanks for linking me too.

Thats quite the setup you have there. How long did it take to set up?
 
2x4 tent is what you're looking for. if you're only growing two plants you won't need to step into the tent with them since they will both be easily accessible from outside the tent. tip: buy the most basic tent and then take it to a furniture upholstery shop to add in any extra vent holes or pockets, ect. most places will only charge $15-25 to add in a pocket or vent hole, ect.

navy, while DIY is certainly cheaper, not everyone has the resources to build one - or the know how
 
My opinion is 3x3x6 for two plants. I usually keep one and lst it and it takes the whole footprint. Definetly go with the secret Jardine, I didn't and wished that i did. Good Luck!
 
Gravity Man said:
Hello. Long time lurker, first time grower-to-be.


I want a tent. They seem easy. Secret Jardin is my choice.
I want to control odor...
I want to grow AT MOST two plants.


To the point... I would like a tent that is large enough for me to fit in with my plants simultaneously in an effort to contain the smell while I'm tending them.


What size would you recommend? I have tried laying out various objects around the house onto the floor in order to simulate elbow room in smaller tents. 2x4 seems doable. I could section off a 2x2 area for growing, leaving me a 2x2 space for standing room. 4x4 seems great, but is it too big? How about 3x3?


Not knowing how big a plant(s) can get using the ScrOG method, leaves me in the dark on this.


Thanks ahead of time. Your input is invaluable to me. Teach me.


GM
Click to expand...

I have a 4x4 tent with 2 soil plants and a 600watt light. 2 light bulbs, one MH for veg cycle and one HPS for flower cycle. A 400 cfm stealth fan hooked up to the carbon filter and the 600watt light, which is also in a cool tube(plants can get closer to the tube without burning). Also I do not scrog but I do top each plant twice to get 4-6 nice big colas per plant without them growing too tall.

I have had this setup for years and the one time I didnt use the tent I got bugs in my plants :/

I find a grow tent helps because everything is contained and they are made with the grower in mind. The 4x4 tent is perfect for 2 plants because they do get big, but not big enough so they are too crammed.
 
Go for the 600watt, 400's have made me almost cry before, really underwhelming. 600watt minimum for TIGHT nugs, under that they go quite fluffy even if it is a small area and all the light gets packed in there tight.

Hey if you've got high standards... MUCH cheaper to build then. Might take a while but you'll end with something you are proud of and that performs the way you want it to. Central air: NICE. And a basement space? I'd DEFINITELY build if I were you, basements are such a pleasure to rig!!!! I'll do that any day.
 
VILEPLUME said:
I have a 4x4 tent with 2 soil plants and a 600watt light. 2 light bulbs, one MH for veg cycle and one HPS for flower cycle. A 400 cfm stealth fan hooked up to the carbon filter and the 600watt light, which is also in a cool tube(plants can get closer to the tube without burning). Also I do not scrog but I do top each plant twice to get 4-6 nice big colas per plant without them growing too tall.

I have had this setup for years and the one time I didnt use the tent I got bugs in my plants :/

I find a grow tent helps because everything is contained and they are made with the grower in mind. The 4x4 tent is perfect for 2 plants because they do get big, but not big enough so they are too crammed.
Click to expand...

Guaranteed success: Copy a setup that is already working to a tee and tweak after that. 4x4 plus a 600 in a cool tube, pretty solid and nice and simple too... You got any pics of your tent kickin'?...
 
I should also mention that my ballast does go to 1000watts, but for the 4x4 tent even with lots of airflow, I found the tent gets really hot when using a light over 600watts.
 
Mad Hamish said:
Guaranteed success: Copy a setup that is already working to a tee and tweak after that. 4x4 plus a 600 in a cool tube, pretty solid and nice and simple too... You got any pics of your tent kickin'?...
Click to expand...

Yeah, I was just about to snap some but my lights haven't turned on yet. I will take some tonight and post, hopefully I remember :P
 
Man, all this feedback is THE BOMB. Thanks a lot for all of your support!

After much deliberation, and a few sleepless nights, I have decided to build a grow room. You have all convinced me to convince myself that I am, in fact, convince-able. What?

Anyway, you guys have done it now! You done gone and encouraged me to build something! I appreciate it greatly. I really needed a forceful nudge toward a decision of some king, ANY KIND.

So, in this picture, I have decided to recycle some old pressure treated 4x4's I had laying around. A few chops from the miter saw, some giant nails (polebarn), some shims, and a level have given me a framed out sub-floor. Tomorrow, I will be nailing in some 2x4's @ 16" on center and laying a sheet of OSB down, giving me a nice subfloor to attach my walls to. The room measures out at 4' x 5'10". Definitely bigger than I anticipated, but the space is just too perfect not to go large! So, do I look to be on the right track?



I have a 4x4 tent with 2 soil plants and a 600watt light. 2 light bulbs, one MH for veg cycle and one HPS for flower cycle. A 400 cfm stealth fan hooked up to the carbon filter and the 600watt light, which is also in a cool tube(plants can get closer to the tube without burning). Also I do not scrog but I do top each plant twice to get 4-6 nice big colas per plant without them growing too tall.
Click to expand...

I checked out the grow link you provided, and that weed looks AMAZING! Nice setup you have there. Although I'm building my own structure, it will be completely sealed wit Panda Film, so hopefully bugs won't be able to find a way in. Did you ever figure how the bugs made it into your environment? It would be nice to know how to combat the issue if it should ever arise.

Go for the 600watt, 400's have made me almost cry before, really underwhelming. 600watt minimum for TIGHT nugs, under that they go quite fluffy even if it is a small area and all the light gets packed in there tight.

Hey if you've got high standards... MUCH cheaper to build then. Might take a while but you'll end with something you are proud of and that performs the way you want it to. Central air: NICE. And a basement space? I'd DEFINITELY build if I were you, basements are such a pleasure to rig!!!! I'll do that any day.
Click to expand...

Now that my room is even bigger, I think I'll need the extra light. I'll definitely get a 600 watt adjustable ballast at the minimum, and then I'd be able to run it at 400 watts until I had a few grows under my belt. Who knows, maybe I'll just go for a 1000 watt adjustable. I know it's way cheaper to build a room! I've heard it before, and I knew it to be true, but I was just a little timid in my ability to build something adequate. The wife was also giving me some encouraging words, so right now I am TOTALLY PUMPED!

I am absolutely psyched to be building this thing. I'm keeping track of every dime I spend, and I'll share the total and some pictures with you later when I finish. I'm also going to keep a little composition book for notes and journal entries.

Without all of your encouragement, I'd be waiting for my tent in the mail, and I probably would have been disappointed that I didn't build one myself. I'm already getting hooked and I haven't even started yet! Next, I'll have to decide whether to go hydro or soil. That one will result in a few more sleepless nights.

Thanks a lot for all of your help!
 
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