Looking for a decent quality tent and light system that won't break the bank

J

JMichael

Active Member
This past summer was my first grow. It was an outdoor grow. It didn't do so well but it was a learning experience and I even learned to manually clone. I've currently got one plant going on CFLs in an indoor semi stealth grow. So now I'm thinking I would like to try 2-3 plants in a tent with hempy buckets and HPS lighting. I've been reading and reading, trying to educate myself on what I'll need but it's all a bit overpowering all at once. So I hoped that I might be able to draw from the vast experience on this board. I probably won't grow more than 2 (but possibly up to 4) plants at a time and only twice a year so it's not going to get any heavy usage. I'd like to have enough space inside to store my nutes, PH tester, etc and I'd like to have my hempy buckets elevated a few inches so I can drain the excess water.

The first thing I'm trying to find is the tent I want. I'm thinking something approx 2'x3'x6' is the size I want. I know there are other features to be concerned about like how easy the material tears on cheap ones, access for vents, cords, viewing windows and things like that can be important. The window not so much, because I don't plan on using any added CO². I was also thinking I would like to get a 400 hps with a digital dim able ballast that will handle MH or HPS. I hope to be able to make my own carbon filter but I'm open to any and all constructive advise. If you've got something you'd recommend, a link would be appreciated. Happy New Year everyone.
 
Buzzzz

Buzzzz

Well-Known Member
JMichael said:
This past summer was my first grow. It was an outdoor grow. It didn't do so well but it was a learning experience and I even learned to manually clone. I've currently got one plant going on CFLs in an indoor semi stealth grow. So now I'm thinking I would like to try 2-3 plants in a tent with hempy buckets and HPS lighting. I've been reading and reading, trying to educate myself on what I'll need but it's all a bit overpowering all at once. So I hoped that I might be able to draw from the vast experience on this board. I probably won't grow more than 2 (but possibly up to 4) plants at a time and only twice a year so it's not going to get any heavy usage. I'd like to have enough space inside to store my nutes, PH tester, etc and I'd like to have my hempy buckets elevated a few inches so I can drain the excess water.

The first thing I'm trying to find is the tent I want. I'm thinking something approx 2'x3'x6' is the size I want. I know there are other features to be concerned about like how easy the material tears on cheap ones, access for vents, cords, viewing windows and things like that can be important. The window not so much, because I don't plan on using any added CO². I was also thinking I would like to get a 400 hps with a digital dim able ballast that will handle MH or HPS. I hope to be able to make my own carbon filter but I'm open to any and all constructive advise. If you've got something you'd recommend, a link would be appreciated. Happy New Year everyone.
Click to expand...

Couple of sheets and lamp...work up from there
 
intenseneal

intenseneal

Well-Known Member
I got my 4x4 tent on ebay for under $80 quality is pretty good and i just ordered a 600w hid light also ebay for $165.
 
SPLFreak808

SPLFreak808

Well-Known Member
http://www.secretjardin.com/us/grow-tent-secret-jardin/orca.html these look pretty cool but I've never tried them, they even have a double sided tent for vegging also that can run on a single blower. You can find them through google shopping. Not sure what the price range is. Stick a 400/600hps in there with a strong blower and your golden. I've used nanolux & apollo before and they still work! Apollo is a huge bang for the buck. I think the ventilation part is where the money goes.
 
J

JMichael

Active Member
Thanks for all the input everyone. The apollo tents look to be decent for the price so I think I've settled on this tent, if nothing changes my mind later. It's not quite at tall as I was looking for but I'd have to go up in size to get a taller model it seems. http://www.apollohorticulture.com/TB90S.html#prettyPhoto Next I need to look for a blower and a light. Are there any particular brands of blowers or lights that I should avoid. The two brands of digital ballast I see mostly on ebay most are the apollo and Ipower. Here is what I've been looking at so far.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/VenTech-4-6-8-Inline-Duct-Booster-Blower-Fan-of-190-440-720-CFM-/190941352432?var=&hash=item2c74fdd1f0:m:mA9tAhhwcGGgVaUCP-FAqrw
and this light
http://www.ebay.com/itm/400w-400-watt-HPS-MH-Grow-Light-System-Set-Premium-Kit-Dimm-Green-House-iPower-/160683199645?var=&hash=item2569770c9d:m:m7JPFgxtd16-2l6TgDIHW4A
I've noticed there seems to be a huge price dif between the different brands of HPS/MH bulbs. How much difference will the bulb make. Do the cheaper ones just burn out faster, or are the not the right temp range or whats the deal on them. Thanks for the help with this guys I really appreciate all the input. If anyone has any first hand experience with with any of the products I've listed, I would appreciate your opinion on it, whether it's good or bad.
 
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J

JMichael

Active Member
After doing some research, I decided to go with a Lumatek ballast. I bought an LK400 from an ebay seller although I am a little concerned that if something goes wrong with it during the warranty period since I won't have a typical store sales receipt. Now the search continues for bulbs, reflector, and a blower.
 
H

Headadead

Member
JMichael said:
After doing some research, I decided to go with a Lumatek ballast. I bought an LK400 from an ebay seller although I am a little concerned that if something goes wrong with it during the warranty period since I won't have a typical store sales receipt. Now the search continues for bulbs, reflector, and a blower.
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Check out Matrix Grow tents on Ebay 40"x40x80, 600D fabric, around $110. I believe the apollo is only 300D unless im mistaken. Difference is that even simple folds and creases will cause light leaks in 300D fabric, not so in 600D. But lots of people seem to like apollo...
 
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J

JMichael

Active Member
Headadead said:
Check out Matrix Grow tents on Ebay 40"x40x80, 600D fabric, around $110. I believe the apollo is only 300D unless im mistaken. Difference is that even simple folds and creases will cause light leaks in 300D fabric, not so in 600D. But lots of people seem to like apollo...
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I'll check those out, thanks for the info.
 
BiG PuFFer

BiG PuFFer

Well-Known Member
I have a small Lighthouse hydro tent (900d) its pretty nice. Even the expensive Gorilla Grow tents leak some light.
My tent is 18x36in with a 300 led. Check it out through my profile
 
J

JMichael

Active Member
BiG PuFFer said:
I have a small Lighthouse hydro tent (900d) its pretty nice. Even the expensive Gorilla Grow tents leak some light.
My tent is 18x36in with a 300 led. Check it out through my profile
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I looked through your profile but couldn't find anything on your setup. I went to lighthousehydro.com but didn't see the size you have.
 
BiG PuFFer

BiG PuFFer

Well-Known Member
It under "small tent grow".
I got it from Gotham Hydro off ebay.
Mine is kind of a weird size, but thats what i need for the space i had. Im sure they make a 2x2 if thats what your wanting.
 
J

JMichael

Active Member
I'm trying to find something like a 2x3x6 or even 7 tall, but Gorilla is the only brand I can find that approx size in. I know Gorilla makes a high quality tent but their prices reflect that also (a bit more than I wanna pay). I could go bigger but don't really need anything with a bigger footprint for my plans.

I may have to modify my plans and go for something like a 2x4x6 in order to get the height I'm looking for. So far the closest thing I can find in a 2x3 is about 5'2" tall.
 
GroErr

GroErr

Well-Known Member
I have one of these in 24 x 48 x 60" for vegging and I was pleased with it, reasonable cost and it's held up well. The make an 84" high model as well and some other sizes in 72" height. Links are to the manufacturer's site but they're sold on e-Bay as well.
 
FLkeys1

FLkeys1

Well-Known Member
I picked up a used sun hut 9.5 X 4.7 and 6.5 feet tall. For $180.off CL. Very well taken care of and I can only see one spot in a zipper with little light leak.. I have 1 300w led galaxy hydro light, one t5HO for clones and I am baby sitting a Inda grow 420 w light that I am loving..
Happy growing..

image.jpeg
 
Shawndeadhead

Shawndeadhead

Well-Known Member
IMG_20171102_000406.jpg
JMichael said:
This past summer was my first grow. It was an outdoor grow. It didn't do so well but it was a learning experience and I even learned to manually clone. I've currently got one plant going on CFLs in an indoor semi stealth grow. So now I'm thinking I would like to try 2-3 plants in a tent with hempy buckets and HPS lighting. I've been reading and reading, trying to educate myself on what I'll need but it's all a bit overpowering all at once. So I hoped that I might be able to draw from the vast experience on this board. I probably won't grow more than 2 (but possibly up to 4) plants at a time and only twice a year so it's not going to get any heavy usage. I'd like to have enough space inside to store my nutes, PH tester, etc and I'd like to have my hempy buckets elevated a few inches so I can drain the excess water.

The first thing I'm trying to find is the tent I want. I'm thinking something approx 2'x3'x6' is the size I want. I know there are other features to be concerned about like how easy the material tears on cheap ones, access for vents, cords, viewing windows and things like that can be important. The window not so much, because I don't plan on using any added CO². I was also thinking I would like to get a 400 hps with a digital dim able ballast that will handle MH or HPS. I hope to be able to make my own carbon filter but I'm open to any and all constructive advise. If you've got something you'd recommend, a link would be appreciated. Happy New Year everyone.
Click to expand...
Matrix grow tents are great, here is a 4x4 think this was $115, I built my led cob light system $550, $150 hyperfan, $120 black ops filter, $30 cheap in line fan for intake. Pulling an average of 2.2 lb per 4x4
 
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