The use of grow tents for indoor gardening has been on the rise over the years with small-scale, hobbyist gardeners. Indoor horticulturalists use grow tents because they are easy to set up, require few materials, and have a low impact on the home in question. Before setting up a tent though, you will want to be prepared for any potential installation challenges.
Since grow tents vary in size, it will take some preparation to make sure that all your equipment fits properly. Regardless of possible spatial constraints, it is simple enough to situate your grow devices for maximum efficiency and effectiveness. This process is made easier by the convenient duct ports that are built into tent walls for electrical access as well as airflow and exhaust.
With all of this in mind, here are a few tips for situating your equipment in a grow tent:
Grow Lights
As seen with traditional grow room set-ups, a good place to start planning a tent’s interior organization is with lighting. This is because the type of lights you use for your grow space directly influences your approach to cooling and exhaust. For example, the use of DE HPS lights is discouraged in most grow tent cultivation scenarios because these lights put off an extreme amount of heat and they don’t come with air-cooling options.
Fluorescent, LED, and air-cooled HPS lights can be simply hung from the roof of the interior frame using rope clips or stainless-steel wire hangers. When positioning your lights, you will have to be sure to leave plenty of room for the air filtration system.
Exhaust and Carbon Filters
Essential to a successful grow, as well as the trickiest to situate, will be your exhaust fan and carbon filter. For hobbyist gardeners using a 4x4 ft or 4x8 ft tent for flowering, it is practical to run a carbon filter and inline fan in one exhaust system. Combining all these elements will help counteract the spatial constraints present in grow tent cultivation.
Depending on your tent size there is a wide range of small, lightweight carbon filters that can be easily hung from the interior of the frame. This installation process is like that of your grow lights. Since heat rises, you should always strive to hang the filter as near the tent ceiling as possible—the exhaust will simultaneously pull hot air out and scrub the environment for smell by way of the carbon filter.
When situating your inline fan, it should be hung from the interior frame’s ceiling close to a duct port in the tent wall. These exhaust ports can typically fit 4 – 12 in. ducting and are made of a flexible material that can be cinched down on your fan or filter to create a tight seal against potential leaks.
Where you live and the time of year will greatly influence your choices concerning filtration options. In the warm summer months as well as in hotter climates, your exhaust system will not only keep the air fresh but also help to alleviate high temperatures. One option for providing cooler air is to use a handy window ducting kit to connect your grow space directly to the outside environment. If the outdoor temperature proves just as hot though, additional fans may be the best route to prevent your grow tent from getting too stuffy.
Circulator Clip and Floor Fans
Like larger indoor grow room operations, proper airflow is an essential element in a successful tent-grown harvest. However, while you can simply hang a wall fan in a standard room, canvas tent walls don’t provide this infrastructure. Circulation clip-on fans can easily be attached to your tent frame though, and even offer varying speed and oscillation options. Secondly, larger tents support the use of free-standing floor fans without the hassle of trying to attach them to your wall.
Summary
Due to the smaller size and customizable design of grow tents, it can take a bit of time to find the best equipment for your setup. However, with a bit of research and careful study, you should be able to easily fit essential gear like grow lights, exhaust fans, and carbon filters along with a healthy and hearty crop.