If you’re looking to set up your own marijuana grow operation at home but are unsure where to start, grow tents might be right for you. Not only are they efficient in size, but the ease of setup and fast learning curve, in comparison to building an indoor garden from scratch, filled a gap in the cannabis cultivation market. Starting to show up on the scene in compact, efficient, safe, stealth, easy to assemble kits with everything included, they get you growing with a simple DIY operation. Ideal for those with limited time, space and budgets, these self-sufficient, fully enclosed, home ganja gardens are the perfect solution for even the most novice growers. Though one may spend anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand or more, there are so many options to choose from for all budgets. From a simple pop up, to the super high tech and everything in between, the cannabis cultivation industry is big business with a multitude of products, growing methods, and high-tech equipment involved. It can all seem more than overwhelming for the beginner grower. Less expensive than the pricey, complicated, and often dangerous home grow-ops, tents can be tucked, safely and discreetly into a corner of the basement or back closet, no one will ever know where that chronic dank you always seem to score came from. Hop online, have a look at the different options available, research which size and style would best suit your requirements and give your own show a go.
Why Use a Grow Tent?
There are many reasons to use a grow tent. Each individual situation will have its own unique circumstances and requirements which will determine if there is a product to suit your needs. Everything is included, along with full instructions on setup and use so expect it to be easy peasy. Ideal for novice growers, tents take the guesswork out of what you will need and what to expect when growing your own ganja. Whether you have limited time and space or for those wanting something more stealth, grow tents are a great solution. Along with ease of size and simplicity, this simple indoor system provides an ideal grow environment for those baby Janes, so you’ll be producing some fat nugs in no time. New technologies such as cooler LED lighting and smaller carbon can filtration systems have enabled even more options in the grow tent industry. Some have separate dual room photoflip chambers for the veg/flower stages of growth, but even a small, efficient grow tent system has the capacity to produce some surprisingly massive yields. There’s everything from simple, basic tent set ups using just fluorescent lighting and a few dirt filled pots, to the super high tech, hydroponic or drip method systems, LED lights and even Co2 canisters. A basic knowledge of marijuana plant botany, some thorough research, and a proper grow tent can have anyone quickly on their way to smoking their own homegrown. It’s almost as simple as popping up a pup tent in the living room.
What To Consider Before Buying an Indoor Grow Tent
The first thing to consider before buying a grow tent will be what you are expecting from it, whether it’s a stealth, high tech production operation, or more destined for personal use. Where you will be setting it up and how much space you have should be predetermined before making a purchase. Level of growing experience also comes into play. Some tents can be extremely high tech and novice growers may not be experienced enough to utilize all the features properly. For instance, once every aspect of the plant’s environment is perfectly on point, some high tech grow tents will have Co2 canisters for that extra boost. If the plants are not in optimal health, this feature may go to waste. How much yield you can expect from a grow tent is basically limited by size, but even a small operation may produce some pretty decent yields if properly set up and maintained. It’s not all just gravy, grow tents are user friendly and will do most of the work for you, but basic knowledge of cannabis botany is needed in order to avoid costly mistakes. Now is also the time to consider the type of strain, a Sea of Green (SOG) friendly strain with a small, compact stature and high yield specifically bred for tight areas might be best. Also, whether or not your grow will be a complicated hydroponic system or a simple pot and soil medium are decisions that should be made before purchasing your grow tent.
How Big Should My Grow Tent Be?
The size of grow tent one buys will generally be determined by the space one has available to set it up. There not only needs to be adequate space available for the tent itself, but also for ease of access, proper ventilation and surrounding workspace. Tents will have the dimensions recorded, but this won’t always factor in the area required for any equipment sitting outside the grow space, products needed, and your ability to move around in the surrounding area. Don’t make the mistake some novice growers make and buy the biggest tent one can squeeze into a tiny space, as this will not work out well. The other factor after space available, or, if unlimited, will be the number of cannabis plants you plan to grow, along with growing medium used. Depending on if you plan to grow a personal use garden or a high production operation, some grow tents are quite large and produce extraordinary yields. There’s everything from tiny closet style tents, all the way to enormous greenhouse sized options and a wide range in between, the more complicated the system, the more space required. And of course, cost needs to be factored in, the bigger tents are generally going to be more expensive. What is your budget? Are there any legalities or safety issues to consider? It might seem like a great idea to set up a huge grow tent in the middle of your living space, but we typically recommend tucking your grow tent into a discreet space that’s out of the way of your living environment.
What Should I Buy For My Grow Tent?
What you will need in addition to your basic grow tent will depend on what is included in the first place, how complicated the system, and the growing medium you will be utilizing. Most tents come with all the basics included. The grower need only purchase the growing medium, such as utilizing high tech hydroponics or just soil in pots. If using soil, you will need to purchase a high-grade organic soil along with nutrients for the feeding schedule and any boosters, sprays or chemicals to treat pests should they become an issue. If you have a complete high-tech system that includes Co2, the Co2 canisters or refills will be needed on an ongoing basis. Of course, you will also need to order or buy the seeds or clones of the strains you choose to grow. Some tent systems come with a few complimentary seeds, but these are not ideal. You will want to purchase your seeds from a reputable seed bank to be sure you know you are getting the level of quality and the exact characteristics you want. Any extras needed will be listed in the instruction manual, such as ventilation ducting or lighting, and from there you can always fiddle to your hearts content. If you plan to make alterations, keep safety in mind for sure. Some grow tents allow you to start simple and upgrade as you go, with features that allow for add ons in the future. The more experience you get, the more high tech you can go.
Where Should I Put My Grow Tent?
Where you should put your grow tent will come down to the space you have available, ease of access and each individual situation. Are you operating a small sized, legal, homegrown medical marijuana pop up, or a stealth, larger scale operation? There will be mess involved! If you are working with dirt, things will get dirty, so be aware. Hydroponics will require a nearby water source, and you’ll want to take any future spills or leaks into consideration. Obviously safe access to electrical power outlets is also a must. Consider if you care if people know you are growing or if this will ideally be a super stealth, hideaway operation. Ventilation is an issue, and you certainly don’t want Co2 blowing into your living space or bedroom overnight. Most people tend to set up tents in basements or garages if they have them, which is a wise idea to avoid the risks of having them in your living space. Others with more limited options may choose a back closet or den area. There are so many things to factor in that will be unique to each situation. Planning an area that is large enough to adequately contain the grow tent, taking into consideration any extra space needed for equipment, ventilation issues and room to work is a good place to start. Easy access to electrical, water and drainage, all in as inconspicuous an area as possible, is the best route to take. Not everyone has the luxury of these options, but the closer to ideal, the better. People are resourceful, so even attics, outdoor sheds, cellars, you name it, someone’s most likely grown weed in it.
How Do I Set Up My Grow Tent?
When setting up your grow tent, firstly always research your purchase thoroughly and read the instructions during set up. Grow tents are built to be user friendly, so it shouldn’t be too complicated, and the instructions ought to be very clear. Take your time, always being aware of any safety issues. The framing of the grow structure will be the first to go together and high-quality tents will most likely be constructed of steel bars that interlock to form the basic framing. Cheaper tents may utilize wooden poles or PVC piping. Once the frame is constructed, the fabric covering can be attached around the outside. Grow tents use an interior fabric called mylar, which is a silver, reflective surface that is strong, heat resistant and easy to clean. The outside is generally made of a tough canvas with zipper openings, and sometimes plastic viewing windows. Visualise something similar to setting up a camping tent, and they are typically very user friendly. There will be openings and attachments for the equipment to be added next. Lighting is hung from adjustable supports at the top of the tent frame, openings and supports for the ventilation and air filtration systems are set up, and then the base or hydroponics system where your plants and pots will sit is next. Depending on the level of technology, there may be Co2 cartridges added, so carefully follow the instructions when installing these. Lastly, ventilation ducting, if required, will be fed outside, through a window or other outlet, the electricals plugged in, and then you should be good to grow!
Are Grow Tents Safe?
Grow tents are very safe when purchased through a reputable company and properly set up. A tent bought from Greg’s homemade Grow tents out of his back garage is certainly not guaranteed to pass safety standards. It’s important to find an adequate, ventilated, safe area to set up, and if you follow the instructions to the letter you will have a solid, secure, operational grow tent you can count on to produce some stank dank safely in your own home. In the past, home marijuana grow operations have been known to be quite risky, causing house fires and other damage. This is where grow tents come in, built to the highest industry standards, thoroughly tested and passing safety inspections which guarantees you are getting a safe product when set up correctly. There are, however, some important aspects to take into consideration. Make sure the area where your tent will be operating is secure and free of any water contamination. Ensure the electrical is up to code and there is proper access to outside ventilation. Larger tents may require working inside the actual space for long periods of time. Co2 can be extremely dangerous if overexposed and safety measures will need to be in place as heat could pose an issue. When using high heat HPS lighting, a well-constructed cooling system is needed in order to prevent any overheating or risk of fire. Most tents use the new cooler LED technology or fluorescent lighting, which are both much safer and efficient to use, so no cooling is required.
Grow tent Alternatives
There are many alternatives to a grow tent and the old school, homestyle, basement grow show is of course still an industry staple. Safety standards be damned, people will always find new methods and corners of their homes in order to grow weed. Garage set ups, attics, basements, even the spare bedroom are prime examples. If there’s an empty space available, an industrious pot head will probably figure out how to utilize it to cultivate some of his own homegrown. Of course the simplest, safest and easiest method is to just throw some seeds in the ground come spring and let nature take its course. It’s not guaranteed to produce great results, but fun to try regardless, and you never know, you might produce a bumper crop. Outdoor operations can get quite large and technical and outdoor cultivation is a massive industry all on its own, but it can be backbreaking work depending on the size and circumstances. With the right equipment and enough manpower, legal cultivators are able to run acreages of cannabis farmland. Greenhouse growing is a popular commercial production method but is much more conspicuous, generally only utilized by large, industrial scale, legal producers. Greenhouses give the grower a lot more control over environmental factors while also harnessing the natural power of the sun and prolonging seasonal crop cycles. This allows for much higher yields per year and huge savings on power. For small home cultivators, grow tents are a boon, perfect for remaining stealth, efficient, safe and they fall within legal medical usage parameters.
What To Avoid In a Grow Tent
When shopping for a new grow tent there are a few things to avoid. Definitely steer clear of anything home built or constructed by your buddy in his garage down the street. Always stick to a vetted, professional grow tent manufacturer, with a good reputation and solid safety record. Buying online or from a professional marijuana grow-op retailer is best as far as selection goes and knowing what you are purchasing is legit. Next, taking budget into account, try to get the best quality you can afford. As in everything, the cheaper the price, the cheaper the product. Skimping here could be a much costlier mistake in regards to safety hazards or low production rates down the line. You don’t want to have to start from scratch and replace your tent because of shoddy quality. Look for solid building materials such as steel frame construction, high quality, water and UV resistant fabrics, such as mylar and heavy canvas, and top of the line technical equipment if you can. Some cheaper tents may look like a great deal, but if they are built with a few wooden sticks and black/white plastic covering, it won’t hold up for long. If you cheap out, you may end up regretting it. Make sure the grow tent you choose has passed safety regulations. Usually there will be official decals showing all permits and standards have been met, so keep an eye out for those. Avoid anything that doesn’t have the proper qualifications. A mistake here could cost more than just loss of money, it could create huge issues if safety standards are not met.
