Ideal tent size and lighting for autoflower grow

What area size and lighting would one aim for growing 15 autos at a time? I don't want to cram them in to a small space but can't afford to make this a commercial size either. I'd like to know what an ideal size tent would be.

That depends on the largest auto you're interested in growing. Find out what that is. Then times it by then number of plants you want. There's your base area.

With that many plants it may be an idea to give yourself some walk space too.

Lights wise. You'll want 30-50w per square foot of floor space you wish to light.

Between 450w and 750w spread out over the area. Don't know how savvy you are with diy. But build it yourself COB kits are probably your best bet.

I would use a 4x4 tent with 2 x 260 watt quantum board kits.. plenty of room plenty of light....
https://horticulturelightinggroup.com/products/260w-qb-led-kit

I just scored a 8x8 Secret Jardin tent for a great price. Also have two 2 600 watt HPS lights and fan and filter. I'm going to need more light and that QB kit looks interesting. I want to get this tent up and lights on and see how it all works and what sort of additional lighting I should add.

The plan is still to have the capacity for 15 autos in case I need to have my full medical license crop size. An 8x8 tent will do that. But I'll probably run 10 plants most of the time and that way have lots of room in the tent to work.

buzzbomb said:

What area size and lighting would one aim for growing 15 autos at a time? I don't want to cram them in to a small space but can't afford to make this a commercial size either. I'd like to know what an ideal size tent would be.

Click to expand...

i am autoflowers
i was in tents

if u are going to do it all in one area
8x4 is big enough for about 8 plants (assuming u keep them in a 2x2ft foot print) i am taking 4 to 5 foot plant 6-10 oz per plant in 7 gallon soil bags

as for light this all depends on your area(weather) and your grow area (how it is set up for heating and cooling)
LED is the best i found this out the mixed spec of the lights waves it offers the auto flowers love it
down side the cost of them are more the upside the energy they use is less the heat they make is less and they get a much better depth into the plant resulting in less fluffy buds

u are in a cold area for a good amount of the year so IR heat from Hid lights can be a benefit for u (MH bulb is 40% ir heat HPS bulb is 70%)

it is all going to come down to how well your area is insulated and how much u are willing to spend on support gear .......each ways has benefits and drawl backs


the first thing i would start with is getting temp readings on the area u plan to use ( set up a senor and record the temps in the area noting outside air temp and inside air temps ) this will give u your flux range then i look up weather data for the last 2-3 years and use your flux to see where the temps will dip into

58f to 78f is ideal temp for weed (little hotter if adding in CO2 84f )
and yes u want a 20 or 25 degree flux in the temps .......this is how the plant gets hues and colors........if u hold with a 10 degree flux the plants will do great but they will all come out green no hues or colors unless u use cheater feeds to induce it

oh and if u do pack your area full with no room to walk
order these
https://www.amazon.com/Bloom-Brothers-GGWR06-6-Inch-support/dp/B008UF9VXE

u put this in every pot and u run tubes to the thingsand have it end at the door......have a funnel to put in the end of the tube u can pour the feed/water down the funnel it will get to the plant and soil with out u needing to crawl under the plants to do it

just rem when u are done feeding to flush the tubes and rings out with like a pint of water so nothing grows in the tubes (it is feed and light and water)

find a girl u know with alot of nail polish and mark the tubes with a color so u know where each one goes too ......incase u need to mix up speical feeds for set plants

Thanks for the info and ideas.

I live in Canada out west in the rockies. Gets cold in the winter. My tent will be in a garage that is insulated but not heated. Concrete floor. Its going to be challenging to manage the temps in the winter and summer. Need some sort of lighting and venting solution that can be hot enough in the winter to keep the tent ambient temp in the zone, and that also is not too hot in the summer when we get up to 90 degrees the odd day. Might have to use a heater in the winter.

buzzbomb said:

Thanks for the info and ideas.

I live in Canada out west in the rockies. Gets cold in the winter. My tent will be in a garage that is insulated but not heated. Concrete floor. Its going to be challenging to manage the temps in the winter and summer. Need some sort of lighting and venting solution that can be hot enough in the winter to keep the tent ambient temp in the zone, and that also is not too hot in the summer when we get up to 90 degrees the odd day. Might have to use a heater in the winter.

Click to expand...

well your floors

winter time lay down 2 inch foam board for the plants to sit on ......summer time just take the foam out
buddy does in his garage too that is how he handles his concrete floor.....buy a roll of the shiney silver tape they use on ducting and coat the top of the foam board with it so u get the upward reflection (atleast spray the blue or pink color flat white paint )

ok just know with a heat in there u are going to need a humidifier (assuming u are using one of the electrical heats that uses element coils like in a base board heating) ......those are going to make the RH in your area drop

to little humidity and the leaves will get really wide it is bigger bitch to trim and alot more time on the final trim to get them to look pretty
40% to 60% 50% is the golden zone in RH