2x4 grow: greenlit by wife, ready to spend some money!

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Fishmon

Well-Known Member
orangejesus said:
I've finally obtained tacit approval from the wife for a 2x4 grow in my office, utilizing what used to be a closet; space is a bit over 2 feet deep, seven feet wide, and eight (?) feet high. At some point I would like to add a 2x2 veg tent to that space.

What I know:
- I will be using soil (would like to move to organic at some point);
- End goal is rosin production;
- Will be using LED;
- Local law permits six plants per adult, so I could have up to 12.

What I don't know:

Tent: quite a few opinions out there; I had planned on Gorilla, but looking at A/C Infinity I'm hard-pressed to see the differences - seems as though A/C Infinity may have thicker canvas (2000 vs 1680); for roughly half the price, why not?

Light: ideally I'd like to purchase a light made in the USA; I was looking at Timber, but recent changes to their site have caused me to look elsewhere; the Grow Light Science ProGrow 320 caught my eye, as did the ChilLED Growcraft X6 Mini DIY kit; any reason not go to this route - and instead look at Spider-Farmer or Mars-Hydro (SP3000)?

Ventilation: currently looking at the A/C Infinity 6" fan/filter/smart controller combo... as with the tent, any reason why not?

Spider-Farmer has a 2x4 kit w/SF2000, fan/filter/etc... bad deal at $530?

I know there's quite a bit more that will be needed, but these seem to be the main items and a good place to start; any/all input is appreciated; thanks!
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What I've learned and some things to consider...Growing 12 plants at once is a major undertaking and certainly not in one 2x4 tent. I see multiple tents in your future. That means multiple lights as well as exhaust fans, possibly humidifiers, oscillating fans, etc. I have learned to be frugal here and there where possible to be able to spend more in other areas. Shop around for every thing. I'll typically browse Amazon, ebay, and Walmart.com. and quite often find bargains or coupon savings. Sometimes ill see a killer deal and jump on it even if i dont need it at the time. Personally I think I've found mars hydro tents to be a good value of cost to quality. I would add here to avoid any tents under 6' tall unless it's going to only be for seedling/early veg and double as a drying tent. Even 5' tall can get cramped quickly after considering the light hanging down a foot or more and a pot a foot or so tall. I am sold on the ac infinity exhaust kits although I cant justify the need for the added control expense. The lite version comes with a more than adequate 10 speed adjustment. The ventilation kits are preferable ie cheaper than purchasing the components individually. Save a few bucks wherever you can. Spend the savings on quality ph/ppm pens and such. I would go so far as to say get a more budget friendly light for seedling/early veg tent and apply the savings to better lighting for the later veg and flower tents. I recently saw a pretty attractive looking budget light that I would consider for the seedling tent the brand is Lampsoul. 200w or maybe more with dimmer and an industry standard warranty. Good reviews too. This hobby can dollar a person to death considering all the additional things needed or that make life easier. Such as mini pruning shears, bigger ones for stalk cutting, Bluetooth temp/humidity meters, measuring pipettes/ syringes, netting/wire for lst, pots, saucers, timers, jars, humidity packs, trim trays, Yada Yada. Sorry the post got so long. Happy gardening.
 
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orangejesus

Well-Known Member
Fishmon said:
What I've learned and some things to consider...Growing 12 plants at once is a major undertaking and certainly not in one 2x4 tent. I see multiple tents in your future. That means multiple lights as well as exhaust fans, possibly humidifiers, oscillating fans, etc. I have learned to be frugal here and there where possible to be able to spend more in other areas. Shop around for every thing. I'll typically browse Amazon, ebay, and Walmart.com. and quite often find bargains or coupon savings. Sometimes ill see a killer deal and jump on it even if i dont need it at the time. Personally I think I've found mars hydro tents to be a good value of cost to quality. I would add here to avoid any tents under 6' tall unless it's going to only be for seedling/early veg and double as a drying tent. Even 5' tall can get cramped quickly after considering the light hanging down a foot or more and a pot a foot or so tall. I am sold on the ac infinity exhaust kits although I cant justify the need for the added control expense. The lite version comes with a more than adequate 10 speed adjustment. The ventilation kits are preferable ie cheaper than purchasing the components individually. Save a few bucks wherever you can. Spend the savings on quality ph/ppm pens and such. I would go so far as to say get a more budget friendly light for seedling/early veg tent and apply the savings to better lighting for the later veg and flower tents. I recently saw a pretty attractive looking budget light that I would consider for the seedling tent the brand is Lampsoul. 200w or maybe more with dimmer and an industry standard warranty. Good reviews too. This hobby can dollar a person to death considering all the additional things needed or that make life easier. Such as mini pruning shears, bigger ones for stalk cutting, Bluetooth temp/humidity meters, measuring pipettes/ syringes, netting/wire for lst, pots, saucers, timers, jars, humidity packs, trim trays, Yada Yada. Sorry the post got so long. Happy gardening.
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perhaps I misspoke - I could have up to 12 plants, but the more I research it's looking like maybe two at a time in the 2x4.
 
LeastExpectedGrower

LeastExpectedGrower

Well-Known Member
RIS said:
My ac tent has zero light leaks and I've had it for a few months, no problem whatsoever. Love the ac vents too
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I like their ducting & hardware too. More expensive than what you find at a big-box, certainly but it's heftier and you can manhandle it, move it about, and all that pretty well without it falling apart. I bought 20' of the 6" ducting and cut it into two for my in & out and have made lots of adjustments with it over time. I also like their duct damper.
 
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ALPHA.GanjaGuy

Well-Known Member
I'm betting if you give it long enough each brand will be listed here as both great and terrible as is to be expected as everyone's experience may vary. Your budget will likely guide you to the right gear for you. Keep in mind as with most things it is better to spend money up front for the quality you can afford rather than having to replace and spend more money for the same items from a different manufacturer.

For me it's @MarsHydrofactory I run a 2.3x2.3 w/ts1000, a 2x4 w/sp3000 and a 4x4 w/ts3000w running two of their 4" inline fans, one dedicated to the 4x4 exhaust and the other with a Y splitter pulling from both the 2.3x2.3 and 2x4.

I have been very satisfied with all of it.
The only complaint I would have is the tie straps started to fray early but I just burnt the ends and good to go.
For me the price was right and the quality was there. I can also say that by the time I bought my most recent one the 2x4 I noticed upgrades to the tent which I am assuming are across all of their tents.

I have heard great things about Gorilla but the price point I think it unreasonable, I could buy three mars 4x4's at the price for their standard weight tent and two for the lite weight.
 
O

orangejesus

Well-Known Member
ALPHA.GanjaGuy said:
I'm betting if you give it long enough each brand will be listed here as both great and terrible as is to be expected as everyone's experience may vary. Your budget will likely guide you to the right gear for you. Keep in mind as with most things it is better to spend money up front for the quality you can afford rather than having to replace and spend more money for the same items from a different manufacturer.

For me it's @MarsHydrofactory I run a 2.3x2.3 w/ts1000, a 2x4 w/sp3000 and a 4x4 w/ts3000w running two of their 4" inline fans, one dedicated to the 4x4 exhaust and the other with a Y splitter pulling from both the 2.3x2.3 and 2x4.

I have been very satisfied with all of it.
The only complaint I would have is the tie straps started to fray early but I just burnt the ends and good to go.
For me the price was right and the quality was there. I can also say that by the time I bought my most recent one the 2x4 I noticed upgrades to the tent which I am assuming are across all of their tents.

I have heard great things about Gorilla but the price point I think it unreasonable, I could buy three mars 4x4's at the price for their standard weight tent and two for the lite weight.
Click to expand...
Totally agree that - sooner or later - will hear pros/cons of anything. I've always heard great things about Gorilla as well, and don't mind paying the price if warranted, but I'm having trouble to see any notable differences that would justify twice the money.
 
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ALPHA.GanjaGuy

Well-Known Member
I can tell you that the material on the mars tents is thinner. My local grow shop carries gorilla so I was able to compare and I was surprised by how heavy duty the gorilla tents felt. That said after a year and a half running the mars tents I am not sure that is really required unless maybe you foresee needing to move the tent around or break down and set back up or just piece of mind.
 
LeastExpectedGrower

LeastExpectedGrower

Well-Known Member
ALPHA.GanjaGuy said:
I can tell you that the material on the mars tents is thinner. My local grow shop carries gorilla so I was able to compare and I was surprised by how heavy duty the gorilla tents felt. That said after a year and a half running the mars tents I am not sure that is really required unless maybe you foresee needing to move the tent around or break down and set back up or just piece of mind.
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Yeah, the end concern becomes things like zipper wear and how the stitching is on seams, etc. The mechanics. Most of us won't really move a tent much once set up (I know I haven't), and in a 'risk situation' I remove the plants and leave the tent empty without tear-down.

I know some are obsessed with 'pinholes' but I've never even climbed in and checked. The space where my tent resides is basement level and in my utilities room (cool in the summer, warm in the winter), and it remains 95% dark unless I'm in the space with the lights on.

When I was tent shopping I ended up finding the size that worked best for my space, and to my knowledge the closest to the 3x5 footprint I was looking for was a Vivosun tent.
 
A

ALPHA.GanjaGuy

Well-Known Member
LeastExpectedGrower said:
Yeah, the end concern becomes things like zipper wear and how the stitching is on seams, etc. The mechanics. Most of us won't really move a tent much once set up (I know I haven't), and in a 'risk situation' I remove the plants and leave the tent empty without tear-down.

I know some are obsessed with 'pinholes' but I've never even climbed in and checked. The space where my tent resides is basement level and in my utilities room (cool in the summer, warm in the winter), and it remains 95% dark unless I'm in the space with the lights on.
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I agree with you, except I have climbed in and there were some but nothing major (and I have not had any herms). I have also read though that pin holes are meaningless and won't cause any herm issues. For that you would need much more and stronger light.

My tent also stays put and is in a spare room that stays closed and dark unless I am in there.
 
LeastExpectedGrower

LeastExpectedGrower

Well-Known Member
ALPHA.GanjaGuy said:
I agree with you, except I have climbed in and there were some but nothing major (and I have not had any herms). I have also read though that pin holes are meaningless and won't cause any herm issues. For that you would need much more and stronger light.

My tent also stays put and is in a spare room that stays closed and dark unless I am in there.
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I've gone in once or twice with a flashlight during the plants' night to check on drip system run-aways and not had a problem with herming, and I tape over any power strips or appliances that have power lights, but beyond that I don't really worry too much about things.

Overall people fall into some weird thought patterns with this stuff due to their level of personal emotional investment. ;)
 
O

orangejesus

Well-Known Member
ALPHA.GanjaGuy said:
I can tell you that the material on the mars tents is thinner. My local grow shop carries gorilla so I was able to compare and I was surprised by how heavy duty the gorilla tents felt. That said after a year and a half running the mars tents I am not sure that is really required unless maybe you foresee needing to move the tent around or break down and set back up or just piece of mind.
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This is good info - thanks! I do not plan on moving these tents - and if I did I would be careful - but I do have a slight concern about the dog possibly scratching at the tent fabric (don't want them looking like some of the doors in the house), so thicker material would be a plus.
 
PopAndSonGrows

PopAndSonGrows

Well-Known Member
Double check your local laws on plant counts. . .i also thought it was 6 per adult per household, BUT, upon further reading it turns out it's still 6 plants per household and not determined by number of adults. Also, local city laws like having a locking door knob on the room, etc., just in case. Federal illegality still overshadows all this, but at least you'll be truly legal on a local level. Also IMO, showing adherence to local ordinances shows you're a responsible person & not just some jackass growing drugs, lol :lol:

Dude, if you can fit two 2x4 tents next to each other, you'll have great potential for a perpetual setup!! Best of luck, sounds like you've done a bunch of homework so I wish you success, and enjoy the ride! It's a real roller coaster, this growing shit, lol!!
 
twentyeight.threefive

twentyeight.threefive

Well-Known Member
ALPHA.GanjaGuy said:
I'm betting if you give it long enough each brand will be listed here as both great and terrible as is to be expected as everyone's experience may vary. Your budget will likely guide you to the right gear for you. Keep in mind as with most things it is better to spend money up front for the quality you can afford rather than having to replace and spend more money for the same items from a different manufacturer.

For me it's @MarsHydrofactory I run a 2.3x2.3 w/ts1000, a 2x4 w/sp3000 and a 4x4 w/ts3000w running two of their 4" inline fans, one dedicated to the 4x4 exhaust and the other with a Y splitter pulling from both the 2.3x2.3 and 2x4.

I have been very satisfied with all of it.
The only complaint I would have is the tie straps started to fray early but I just burnt the ends and good to go.
For me the price was right and the quality was there. I can also say that by the time I bought my most recent one the 2x4 I noticed upgrades to the tent which I am assuming are across all of their tents.

I have heard great things about Gorilla but the price point I think it unreasonable, I could buy three mars 4x4's at the price for their standard weight tent and two for the lite weight.
Click to expand...
Gorilla tents will blow that Mars Hydro tent out of the water.
 
O

orangejesus

Well-Known Member
ALPHA.GanjaGuy said:
The op sounds like they may be in NY where it's 6 per adult max 12 but only 6 flowering at a time (if my memory serves). It also has not yet officially given the green light to get started.
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nope, left coast. county provisions allow six per adult; oddly enough, we're located in one of the few areas in the county that allows outdoor personal grows - so that may be another project down the road.
 
PopAndSonGrows

PopAndSonGrows

Well-Known Member
orangejesus said:
nope, left coast. county provisions allow six per adult; oddly enough, we're located in one of the few areas in the county that allows outdoor personal grows - so that may be another project down the road.
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FUCK, lucky bastard, no outdoor where I'm at, lol!! All good, the one plant I put outside for like 5 seconds, got covered with whiteflies, it was crazy, I thought it was ashes blowing around!
 
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