For indoor growers without the resources to build a grow room, indoor grow tents can open up a world of possibilities. Indoor gardening has its challenges, but the right tent can help you create a great growing environment from inside your own home. However, choosing a grow tent is a daunting task.
What should you look for in an indoor grow tent?
A quality grow tent will ideally be the right size for your plants, made of durable materials, and give you ample room to set up equipment like ventilation systems and carbon filters. Beyond the basics, you also may want to look into special features depending on what you’re growing. While there are some general rules of thumb to follow, individual needs also determine what you should look for in a grow tent.
If picking a grow tent feels overwhelming, we’re here to help. Below, we’ve outlined some of the biggest factors to consider when choosing your tent.
What Size Do You Need?
Indoor grow tent sizes can actually be pretty subjective. A lot depends on what you’re growing. Prior to choosing a size, you’ll have to do some research on your plants to see how tall and wide they’ll grow and how much space they need.
Here are some questions to ask yourself when determining the size of your growing space.
What do you plan on growing?
Start with some basic guidelines to get a vague sense of how big your tent should be. While there are no hard and fast rules, you can expect:
- A 48” by 24” by 60” tent can house a small garden. It can accommodate 3 full-sized plants or 8 small plants.
- A 48” by 28” by 78” tent can house a medium garden. It can accommodate 4 full-sized plants or 16 small plants.
- A 4’ by 8’ by 6.5’ tent can house a large garden. It can accommodate 8 full-sized plants and 25 small plants.
Again, these are very general rules, and it’s important you look into the specifics of how tall and wide your plants will grow. Plants may need more or less space than these guidelines depending on how they grow.
Also, do not underestimate the importance of tent height. Plants can grow fairly high and may outgrow a shorter indoor grow tent quickly. A tent with adjustable ceilings can help ensure your plants don’t outgrow your tent.
Grozeebo tents are completely modular, meaning everything is adjustable – not just height. The base exterior unit is fitted with hook and loop velcro on the top and sidewalls. This allows you to expand the tent as your plants grow, or as you desire more room to grow plants.
What extra equipment are you using?
You’ll also have to consider your setup. How much extra equipment do you need for your plants? Extra features like AC units and circulation fans take up precious space.
It’s better to have too much space than too little, so keep that in mind when considering size. Even if you could save a bit of money on a smaller tent, getting one size up might save you money later on as it will save you the cost of purchasing a new tent altogether.
Where are you putting your tent?
Obviously, you’ll need to measure the dimensions of the room where you plan to keep your indoor grow tent. Measure the length, width, and height of the space before settling on tent size.
Your tent should be able to fit comfortably in the space and give you ample room to walk in and out of as needed. This means you should always purchase a tent a little smaller than the space. This allows you room for set up and maintenance.
Does Your Tent Support Your Equipment?
An indoor grow tent doesn’t carry every single commodity you need to nurture your plants. From LED grow lights to AC units, there’s plenty of extra equipment you’ll need to invest in if you plan on growing indoors. When it comes to adding extra equipment, some tents are more accommodating than others.
Lights
Most tents need extra lighting, which is usually strung along the top of the tent. If you plan on installing lights, it’s vital to pick a tent with support beams.
In general, tents are made with either metal or plastic poles. Metal poles are sturdier, but plastic ones are cheaper. Depending on the type of light you need, you may be able to get by with plastic poles. The manufacturer’s instructions on your tent will specify how much weight they can support, so make sure the lights you’re using aren’t too heavy for your tent.
At Grozeebo, we use T-slot aluminum framing. This is one of the most rigid materials on the market and can support a great deal of weight.
Ventilation Systems
All indoor grow tents come with ports to support a ventilation system. Make sure to look into the type, positioning, and size of the ventilation ports to ensure they can accommodate your specific equipment.
Dual-cinching ports are always a good option. A dual-cinching port both prevents light from escaping and blocks out outside light.
The type of ports you need is also dependent on the growing stage, however. During the vegging stage, for example, mesh vents may be adequate for some plants. If you have different tents for different parts of the growing process, take that into consideration.
Also, do not overlook where the vents are located on a tent. Think about how and where you’re setting up your tent. Sometimes, the location of a port alone can make it difficult to properly set up your ventilation systems.
Is Your Tent Big Enough?
Going back to size for a moment, it’s important you look into any and all outside equipment you plan to bring into your indoor grow tent. Most grow tents, even the sturdier ones, have limited vertical mounting capabilities. This means equipment like AC units and circulation fans may have to go on the floor.
Another benefit of Grozeebo’s T-slot aluminum framing is that it’s a real space saver. It allows you to mount equipment vertically that would otherwise have to be hung over the top or take up precious floor space. This gives your plants more space to thrive.
What About Durability?
Durability is vital for an indoor grow tent, and usually, you get what you pay for. A cheaper tent will obviously be made from flimsier supplies, but – depending on your needs – you may be able to go for lower-cost options here and there.
Here are some factors to consider to ensure your tent is durable.
Heat and Rip Resistance
You almost always want to go for a heat and rip resistant tent. Not only does your tent endure lots of heat from lights, you’ll be going in and out of your tent a lot. Accidents happen, like falling equipment, plus normal wear and tear from regular usage. You want a tear-proof tent that holds up over time.
Fabric Density and Strength
The densest indoor grow tents get upwards of 1680D, but on average you can expect tents with densities between 120D and 600D. Stronger fabric is always the better option, but you don’t need to invest in a 1680D tent if it’s well out of your budget. Get the strongest fabric you can afford while making sure other materials are high-quality.
You should also keep in mind that gaps in fabric can adversely affect your final yield. Look for tents with velcro flaps and zip-draws to prevent gapping.
Reflective Material
Quality reflective material boosts the effectiveness of your lights. Reflective mylar with close to 100% reflectivity is usually the best option to prevent light leaks.
Zippers and Corners
Do not neglect the little things when considering a tent’s durability. Corners and zippers make a big impact on how well a tent will hold up over time.
Make sure zippers have a large handle and zip up and down easily. If you can’t test the zippers yourself, check online reviews for insight. Ideally, tents should have metal corner pieces to keep the frame secure.
Conclusion
When choosing an indoor grow tent, do your research carefully. Everyone’s needs are different, so there’s no one size fits all option. While all this information is probably overwhelming, it’s better to put in the extra effort now than to end up with a tent that’s not suited to your needs.
As you’re getting ready to embark on your indoor growing journey, take some time to consider the above factors. By doing your homework carefully, you can find the right tent to help your plants thrive.
Ready to find the perfect tent? At Grozeebo, our tends are modular, insulated, and made with some of the sturdiest framing on the market. Browse our selection to pick your perfect match.