How to choose a quality grow tent for your indoor growing needs.

Shopping for the Perfect Grow Tent For You

The process of creating an indoor environment takes time. Plants have the ability to thrive in any situation as long as the basic necessities are provided. Furthermore, I find that the right grow tent can play a critical role in the fulfillment of your indoor growing needs.

Most homeowners find that a grow tent provides them with an added layer of control that ensures the growth of their plant. However, once you are in the market for a high-quality grow tent that fits your budget, you’ll soon find out that it’s a daunting and overwhelming task. Anyone who does not know what they are looking for would only end up confused.

My Top 4 Best Small Grow Tents 

Do Grow Tents Work?

Let’s start with the basics! Most of the time, inexperienced growers would be skeptical about the true purpose of a grow tent. It’s common that there are certain questions on how it works and its effectiveness in growing indoor plants – all of which will be discussed later on – but I can personally advise that a grow tent can bring about certain advantages to every grower.

According to Maximum Yield, the number one use of grow tents is to create a controlled environment suitable for planting indoors. You might think that this is achievable without a grow tent; however, a grow tent can also increase the chance of your plants growing healthily and quickly.

For one, grow tents are more energy efficient as it focuses on power performance. It allows you to fully maximize your planting efforts without hurting your bank account. Grow tent also controls the odor released by your plants through its air ventilation systems. It provides fresh ventilated air that eliminates unpleasant smells that can affect your plant’s growth.

Grow tents also features certain equipment that can reduce pest infestations. It decreases the chances of various indoor insect infestations like spider mites, flies, and aphids. You can learn more about these pests through Planet Natural. Lastly, with grow tents, you can make the most of your lighting equipment. The reflective material in grow tents ensures that 100% of your lighting is being utilized properly and efficiently.

How Do Grow Tents Work?

Most of the time, homeowners would doubt the ability of grow tents to actually be useful in growing indoor plants. The answer to the question of whether or not grow tents work is a big fat yes. Of course, to be convinced with this claim, there is a need to explain to you the science behind how these tents work.

First and foremost, a high-quality tent is made from heavy-duty canvas fabric. The fabric can be either nylon or polyester. The fabric is then integrated into the inner layer of the tent.

The inner layer is typically made from BoPET or biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate; you can learn more about BoPET through Wikipedia. On another note, the outer layer of the tent should increase the efficiency of light through its robust fabric that features a high level of reflectivity.

Remember, the thickness of the outer layer is measured through its linear mass density. Keep in mind that if you go shopping for a grow tent, pay attention to the measurements of the lining and the thickness of the fabric.

Most tents have an exterior fabric ranging from 200D up to 1680D. This is a wide range. I personally suggest you find something within the range of 600D up to 900D. Tents within this range are durable and strong enough for your indoor plants.

If you want to be able to recreate the same outdoor environment for your indoor plants, always consider the quality of the fabric. The amount of light that the grow tent can reflect is related to the quality of its light coverage. I find that thicker fabrics are better because it features excellent lightproof enclosure. Furthermore, a thin fabric can allow micro-organisms to pass through, and you wouldn’t want this to happen.

GiantHydro has a video on a much comprehensive explanation as to how grow tent works. You can check it out so that you can visualize the functions of each grow tent feature.

What Are The Grow Tent Factors For Consideration?

The science behind the grow tent is just a means to explain to you and present you with proof of how effective these types of tents are. Basically, it is a structure for your indoor garden that presents an appropriate growing environment.

The real struggle is choosing among the wide array of grow tents available in today’s market. Here are some of the questions to consider when you are shopping for a grow tent:

Do Grow Tents Need Ventilation?

Do keep in mind that a grow tent keeps all of your plants in a controlled environment; ventilation is an aspect of a controlled environment. According to The Spruce, your plants are given the right kind of gases necessary for them to grow indoors with proper ventilation. It also aids in aerating the area as well as cooling it down should the need arise.

What can you grow in grow tents?

Grow tents are portable rooms that can easily be set up in a corner inside your house. One of the many advantages of these tents is that you can start growing any kind of vegetable or fruit at any time. The science behind grow tents is the same as grow boxes.

Since grow tents have the ability to recreate an environment suitable for any type of plants – tomatoes, potatoes, cauliflower, peppers, strawberries, blueberries, and so much more –  the elements found outdoor should also be recreated by the grow tent.

Are grow tents smell proof?

I find that this is one of the most neglected questions when it comes to shopping for a grow tent. Most plants typically release certain odors that are hard to ignore. Remember, you are growing plants inside your house. Odor control should be part of the features of your grow tent.

To further help you with your odor control issue, I did a little research as to how you can avoid these unpleasant instances. First and foremost, Hunker claims that you should always check the temperature and humidity of the room, or in this case, your grow tent.

This is why air ventilation systems in grow tents are important because it circulates the air within your tent. Remember when I said that grow tents recreate the same environment necessary for your plants to grow? Well, air is part of that environment.

High-quality grow tents should be smell proof. I would be concerned if my grow tent cannot control the odors released by my plants. Air needs to move around every few minutes within the tent during certain vegetative phases and bloom phases of your plants. With proper air circulation, you reduce the unpleasant smells and keep the temperature low.

Buy a grow tent that has carbon filters. An activated carbon filter, also referred to as “carbon scrubbers,” is responsible for literally scrubbing the contaminants out of the air. These filters would employ activated ionized carbon that attracts particulates from the air.

How much does a grow tent cost?

In general, I find that you do not need to spend a fortune to get a quality grow tent. However, it’s pretty obvious that high-quality grow tents are pricier than low-quality ones. Furthermore, the size is a determining factor that will affect the price of a grow tent.

To answer the question, I have provided a list for your reference:

What do I need to know about my grow tent’s frame strength?

When it comes to the tent’s frame strength, you should always consider how high it would be. The higher your grow tent is, the stronger the base should be. This is the same rule used when constructing a skyscraper according to BBC.

Often times, the frames and poles of the tent are responsible for keeping the overall structure strong and stable. As a result, the body construction of the tent can withstand its overall weight.

Do not make the mistake of neglecting the durability of your tent’s frames and poles. The more durable they are, the more capable they are in keeping your frame strength. I personally suggest that you opt for materials like steel or metal. Your last option should be plastic frames and poles.

Should I opt for grow tents with heavy-duty zippers?

There are grow tents available in the market that make use of heavy-duty zippers. If you want a tent that can withstand the test of time, as well as the daily wear and tear, heavy-duty zippers are your best bet. Of course, tents with these kinds of zippers are more expensive than regular tents, but trust me when I say this, it will be worth it.

Should I bother myself with the design of the grow tent?

I feel like the design should be the last thing on your list. When you are shopping for grow tents, the first few things that you should consider should adhere to its usability as well as its technical features. The design and aesthetic of the tent can be considered; however, it doesn’t affect whether or not your plants will survive indoors.

On another note, if we are talking about certain aspects that add function to your tent, then, by all means, go ahead!

To further explain a functional or ergonomic design, look at how the doors are situated on the sides of the tent. It should not be hard to open or close these. It should function properly with just your minimal effort. Furthermore, the air ventilation system of your tent should be placed in areas that are ideal for growing your plants.

Is my grow tent too thick or too thin?

The thickness and thinness of your grow tent would heavily depend on the durability of the canvas as well as its solid construction. As I have explained earlier, the durability of your canvas is directly related to its thickness. Tents that easily rip typically have thinner fabrics. It would be such a waste of money if you buy a tent that gets torn easily.

With that in mind, there is no such thing as a grow tent that is too thick. The thicker, the better. On the other hand, you have to ensure that the tent is not too thin. You’ll be able to tell a really thin fabric by physically examining it. Trust your instincts and always check the material.

How tall should my grow tent be?

The type of plant you plan to grow can greatly affect the size and height of your grow tent. Are you planning to grow small-sized plants or full-sized plants? Moreover, you also need to consider the height of each type of plant when they are fully grown.

Should you plan to grow small-sized plants, a tent that allows you to easily reach inside can be good enough. On another note, bigger plants would require a grow tent that lets you walk inside so that you can pay close attention to each of your plants’ needs. You can check Hydro Builder for a guide on a plant’s potential height.

Nonetheless, the size of your room can easily affect your decision to buy a particular grow tent size. For me, the bigger, the better. Even if you are only planning to grow small-sized plants, who says that you cannot invest in larger grow tents that lets you move freely inside of it. What you need to watch out for is a relatively small tent that will not satisfy your growing needs.

What size grow tent do I need?

I’ve decided to list down the different dimensions of certain grow tents in today’s market. Furthermore, I wanted to provide you with a summary as to how many full-sized and small-sized plants can fit into these tents.

Furthermore, I find that grow room size calculators can go a long way. Here’s a very useful post from the moderators of Strain Hunters on the different types of calculator used for determining your grow room size.

Final thoughts on the purpose of grow tents

The main reason why a grower would want to invest in a grow tent is for its ability to create an environment suitable for growing any kind of plant. Furthermore, since this is a controlled environment, you no longer have to worry about certain weather or climate issues. To put it simply, you are given access to the atmosphere outside and use it indoors.

Of course, every grower would have their own set of growing needs. Be sure to pay attention to these as it can play a huge role in your purchase. Ask yourself every possible question before buying any grow tent.

What are the plants you plan on including in your indoor garden? How big will they grow? How many plants are you considering? Where will you set up your indoor garden? These are just some of the questions to ask yourself in addition to what was mentioned earlier.

With that in mind, a high-quality tent features a wide range of equipment that aids in air circulation or proper ventilation, hydroponic, filtration, and so much more. Of course, you need to take into consideration your budget when buying a grow tent. No need to worry too much about this because there are high-quality grow tents that are affordable.

All you need to do is to follow the instructions above and consider the factors I have listed earlier. By the end of your shopping session, you’ll find yourself with a quality tent that adheres to all your growing needs.