Are you happy with your eBay/Amazon/Cheap grow tent?

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Cronnoisseur

Well-Known Member
Im about to buy a grow tent but funds are pretty tight so Ive been looking at eBay and Amazon for grow tents and doing tons of research on them. There has been plenty of people who regret cheaping out but also a good amount of people saying they have had no problems and are very happy with their purchase.

So if you have bought a eBay/Amazon/or otherwise cheap grow tent please share how it has been for you and if you would recommend it or not.

PLEASE let me know what type of tent it is so I can compare to whats available.

Thanks!
 
M

Mattemil

Active Member
I started out with a cheapo "Aviti" from amazon and had zero issues.Strong zippers, light proof, strong ectect.

I think the main thing to watch for is the inside of the tent-Some are made with something that "gasses" and will kill your plants.I dont know much on that subject but im sure someone will.
 
R

raven1290

Active Member
This is the tent I bought. I was in the same boat as you and tried saveing some money. I'm quite happy overall and would recommend it, but there're a few downsides. It says it's 60" tall, but actually measured 59". The straps it comes with arn't very useful. They slip pretty easily, but I didn't really have a need for them anyways. I use rope ratchets for my light and carbon filter. The zippers can be a little sticky, but they work fine. Given the low price compared to other tents I looked at, these are all things I can live with. I paid $70, but the seller has raised his price to $85 since I bought mine.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/48x24x60-Reflective-Mylar-w-Metal-Corner-Grow-Tent-Hydroponics-Plant-Room-4x2x5-/400413066575?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5d3a7a854f#ht_5348wt_1183
The seller has other sizes availble depending on what you want.
Happy Growing.
 
achaser87

achaser87

Active Member
Paid 105$ for on amazon for a 4x2x5 lighthouse hydro grow tent. Great thick material, Mylar inside plenty of vent spots with a 6 and 4 inch option. holds good weight.

I don't regret it. 200$+ in my area so im happy. I'd get a cheaper one to start. Use that and upgrade bigger while keeping that tent for seedling/veg tent. Good luck
 
C

Cronnoisseur

Well-Known Member
Mattemil said:
I started out with a cheapo "Aviti" from amazon and had zero issues.Strong zippers, light proof, strong ectect.

I think the main thing to watch for is the inside of the tent-Some are made with something that "gasses" and will kill your plants.I dont know much on that subject but im sure someone will.
Click to expand...
From my research the toxic gas thing is pretty much a thing of the past, all the tent makers realized the problem and changed the type of material. I actually looked at an Aviti one too so thanks for the input.
 
C

Cronnoisseur

Well-Known Member
achaser87 said:
Paid 105$ for on amazon for a 4x2x5 lighthouse hydro grow tent. Great thick material, Mylar inside plenty of vent spots with a 6 and 4 inch option. holds good weight.

I don't regret it. 200$+ in my area so im happy. I'd get a cheaper one to start. Use that and upgrade bigger while keeping that tent for seedling/veg tent. Good luck
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Does any light get through when you have it fully zipped? Im going to use it for flower soon and Ive heard pretty good things about this tent. Plus this is the same seller I got my ballast from lol
 
DemonTrich

DemonTrich

Well-Known Member
i bought 2 secret jardin darkroom 120 tents (4x4x7). they were not cheap btw. about 125 more than a regular tent on amazon. i LOVE them!!!!!!! i do have a couple light leaks that duct tape can fix. very well made, and thick material.
 
Medical420MI

Medical420MI

Well-Known Member
I got a cheap tent from amazon and it's pretty good quality. Been using it over a year. The only issue I've had is the plastic pieces that connect the frame together have cracked. I paid about $100. Make sure the one you get has the right amount of duct holes. Mine only has 2.
 
achaser87

achaser87

Active Member
Cronnoisseur said:
Does any light get through when you have it fully zipped? Im going to use it for flower soon and Ive heard pretty good things about this tent. Plus this is the same seller I got my ballast from lol
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there are a couple pin holes around the vent from them sewing it. small piece of electric tape and your all set
 
Scrotie Mcboogerballs

Scrotie Mcboogerballs

Well-Known Member
Gotham Hydro and the Lighthouse tent are defiantly worth the price but just keep in mind that you get what you pay for. I ordered a 4x4x7 and a 8x4x7 and they were sturdy but def not 100% lightproof. They had some small manufacture defects and one tent didn't come with the correct directions but by the time I was all said and done, it was still worth it. Once I outgrew their use I was able to sell them locally for more than what I paid for them. Awesome.
 
C

Cronnoisseur

Well-Known Member
DemonTrich said:
i bought 2 secret jardin darkroom 120 tents (4x4x7). they were not cheap btw. about 125 more than a regular tent on amazon. i LOVE them!!!!!!! i do have a couple light leaks that duct tape can fix. very well made, and thick material.
Click to expand...
See Im trying to decide if I should just pay the extra $40 or so for the Secret Jardin (I only need a 3x3). Have you owned any other tents?

It seems like EVERY Secret Jardin owner loves their tent but if there is still small light leaks Im going to have to fix I wonder if Its worth it over the cheap ones? Especially since Secret Jardin uses plastic corners for their frame which really suprises me for the price they charge.
 
C

Cronnoisseur

Well-Known Member
mr2shim said:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/36-x20-x60-MYLAR-HYDROPONICS-GROW-TENT-ROOM-3X1-7X5-CLONE-T002-/290700538240?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43af1a3180

I don't consider it cheap even though it's inexpensive. It's amazingly durable and super easy to clean, I've had it for years. No complaints.
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Glad hear your happy with it as I do like the look of the ones from Gotham compared to the other cheap one Ive been looking at and hearing good things about which is the Virtual Sun: http://www.ebay.com/itm/121091913970?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

The only reason Im hesitant on the Gotham tent is that they dont have the exact size Im looking for. The closest size they have is 32x32x84. Which I guess is only 4" shorter than the 3x3 I want....But I also have read a decent amount of reviews on all different sizes of the Gotham tents where people say they recieved the product and it had horrible stitching. Have you used the tent for Flowering? I dk how you guys get by with only 5 feet of height....with my 600w hps it takes up about a foot on its own plus the distance I need between the light and the plants, PLUS the foot of height that the pots are....leaves me with only room for some short ass plants lol. Thats why I want at least 6 feet of height.
 
DrKingGreen

DrKingGreen

Well-Known Member
I've done a lot of research on this topic, but have yet to buy my tent. Will be doing it this week (8x4x7). I was going to get a big Jardin, but I read they have light leaks just like the rest so i will be taking the cheap route as well.

As for the gassing issue you mentioned, that was one particular company that had a really bad case of it in the past 5 years. I don't remember their name, but I viewed several threads where it killed all plants. In one of the threads there was an email correspondence with them and apparently they were clearing out their old stock and the new has had issues corrected. They sent the people the new model tents, but wtf!?!? They should send more than a new tent for ruining crops!
 
C

Cronnoisseur

Well-Known Member
Scrotie Mcboogerballs said:
Gotham Hydro and the Lighthouse tent are defiantly worth the price but just keep in mind that you get what you pay for. I ordered a 4x4x7 and a 8x4x7 and they were sturdy but def not 100% lightproof. They had some small manufacture defects and one tent didn't come with the correct directions but by the time I was all said and done, it was still worth it. Once I outgrew their use I was able to sell them locally for more than what I paid for them. Awesome.
Click to expand...
What kind of manufacture defects did yours have? Stitching Im guessing from all the other reviews ive read?
 
mr2shim

mr2shim

Well-Known Member
Cronnoisseur said:
Glad hear your happy with it as I do like the look of the ones from Gotham compared to the other cheap one Ive been looking at and hearing good things about which is the Virtual Sun: http://www.ebay.com/itm/121091913970?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

The only reason Im hesitant on the Gotham tent is that they dont have the exact size Im looking for. The closest size they have is 32x32x84. Which I guess is only 4" shorter than the 3x3 I want....But I also have read a decent amount of reviews on all different sizes of the Gotham tents where people say they recieved the product and it had horrible stitching. Have you used the tent for Flowering? I dk how you guys get by with only 5 feet of height....with my 600w hps it takes up about a foot on its own plus the distance I need between the light and the plants, PLUS the foot of height that the pots are....leaves me with only room for some short ass plants lol. Thats why I want at least 6 feet of height.
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I've used my tent for years. Seed to finish. It isn't completely light proof but nothing some aluminum tape can't fix. Current grow is in my signature if you're curious. I believe I posted a picture of the tent+setup.
 
achaser87

achaser87

Active Member
Cronnoisseur said:
See Im trying to decide if I should just pay the extra $40 or so for the Secret Jardin (I only need a 3x3). Have you owned any other tents?

It seems like EVERY Secret Jardin owner loves their tent but if there is still small light leaks Im going to have to fix I wonder if Its worth it over the cheap ones? Especially since Secret Jardin uses plastic corners for their frame which really suprises me for the price they charge.
Click to expand...
If you dont plan on upgrading your tent to something bigger/better quality, go with the Secret Jardin. Very good reviews. Like said above, the lighthouse and gotham tents are worth the price (cheaper) and they work perfectly fine. If your anal about having a couple pinhole leaks and want the best of everything, pay the extra. Just my 2 cents.
 
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