Grow Tents: The Magical Guide (Part One)

           Think of a grow tent as a greenhouse inside your house, only better. Like a good greenhouse, a good indoor grow tent combines a strong structure with a sturdy interior. Grow tents also provide temperature and climate control. Although you will still need to watch out for bugs and disease, grow tents provide a clean and safe protective environment for your plants. 

Additionally, a good grow tent is better than a great greenhouse due to  its mobility and ease of set-up. Plus, you won’t have to trek through the snow to access your plants.

Whether you are seeking a standard 4x4 grow tent or looking into larger operations, continue reading below to find out what you need to know to get the best grow tent for your crops.

How to choose the right grow tent

Still, think about what you will attach to that frame. In addition to the grow tent’s shell, you’ll have to consider the weight of lights, feeding systems, fans or other pieces of equipment. The frame fails and it isn’t just your crop that gets damaged, but the light system and everything else.

           

Get a good idea of your equipment’s weight and then choose a tent that can support that weight. Manufacturers usually list their product’s maximum support weight in their specs.

Choose a sturdy, thick, rugged frame preferably from metal. Ensure the clips and fittings are snug. Check warranties.

Plastic frames crack and bend, maybe not at first, but eventually they will, especially if you take down and set up frequently. But, if you intend to stay in place and have only one or two plants then plastic frames might be a good way for you to go.

Then think about what you grow. How tall are your plants going to get? Some growers warn that height is a big issue. Consider that the higher plants get, the higher lighting needs to get and pretty soon you can run out of space. One way around this potentially hazardous scenario is to choose a sturdy metal frame that can be adjusted or amended to increase height when necessary.

How to use a grow tent safely and easily

No one wants smashed, maimed or bloodied fingers. Nobody wants to tear their tent apart while trying to get inside of it. Since the door will be your only way into the tent and your only way out, then you need to make sure that the zippers function properly.

If you are ordering your grow tent online, then you’ll want to check for zippers that are sturdy but won’t tear the fabric’s seams. Some grow tent manufacturers offer tents with adhesive tape that affixes zippers to the tent, while others provide heavy duty, large zippers sewn into the fabric. If you go with sewn in zippers, then make sure they are double-stitched to avoid tearing. If the fabric is high quality (see the next section for more information on this) then tearing the seam shouldn’t be an issue.

Check to see how many openings the grow tent has and whether or not these openings are adjustable. This goes not just for doors, but for vent and duct openings as well.

Continue to Part Two of Grow Tents: The Magical Guide