Hello all. I’m in the process of setting up my first grow. I had initially planned for and purchased a 4x4 grow tent, AC infinity T6 in-line fan and Vipar Spectra KS5000 LED light. As fate should have it, I stumbled upon a 4x8 grow tent before getting set up. Now I’m looking at both tents trying to decide which to set up. I only have the one light so grow area will basically be the same in either tent. However, the 4x8 offers additional space for equipment (heater, humidifier, etc) but also is now more environment to have to control. 4x4 offers less environment to control which equals less energy used. I’m planning on growing in 2-4 ten gallon pots. What other variables should I be considering here and which option would you chose?
4x4 vs 4x8
- Thread starter Basic Ann
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green_machine_two9er
Well-Known Member
Both 
Treesomewanted77
Well-Known Member
Really depends on what you want to accomplish with it. I have ran a 4x8 but only ran half of it and made it easy to setup my res’s for my flood tables. If this is your first grow it might be easier to run the 4x4 and see how to get your environment dialed in before tackling the bigger space. I currently running a 4x4 with 4 plants and it’s tight wish it was just a little bigger.
FirstCavApache64
Well-Known Member
4 ten gallon plants in a 4x4 would be really tight. I used to run 4 five gallon pots and have crowding issues. It would work if you vegged a short time, but why use a 10 gallon pot if you're vegging for a short time. If you get the 4x8 you'll want another light to go in there. A bunch of unproductive space in a tent is a waste of electricity trying to control the temp and humidity. Best of luck whichever way you go.
Lol both actually is an option. I’m considering using the 4x4 for a drying room.Both
I’ll be running Auto’s simply because they were gifted to me so really can’t control veg time. I agree that the wasted space is also wasted money in electricity but also the extra space would be nice to be able to move around in. I’m concerned about crowding issues in the 4x4. Would 2 ten gallon pots in the 4x4 be a good compromise?
Honestly for my first run I’m just trying to accomplish a successful grow. Crowding in the 4x4 is a concern. Maybe less plants in that space is a good compromise for my first run.
green_machine_two9er
Well-Known Member
Exactly. Never can have enough space. Or you may find out you really need to keep a variety you’ve grown and need a tent for veg/clone space to preserve your genetics!
Hobbes
Well-Known Member
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I use 4 x 7 gallon cloth pots in a 4 x 4 tent and it fits just right.
I veg for 7 or 8 weeks - top 3 times for 8 colas - and it gives me time to make several sized root balls in different sized pots.
If you just want to grow 4 plants in dirt then the 4x4, if you're going hydro 8x4. I'm locking in that answer.
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I use 4 x 7 gallon cloth pots in a 4 x 4 tent and it fits just right.
I veg for 7 or 8 weeks - top 3 times for 8 colas - and it gives me time to make several sized root balls in different sized pots.
If you just want to grow 4 plants in dirt then the 4x4, if you're going hydro 8x4. I'm locking in that answer.
.
FirstCavApache64
Well-Known Member
Autos don't need or want pots that big. Because they only veg for 4-5 weeks typically, they won't fill out a 10 gallon pot. I use 3 gallon pots for small and medium sized autos and 5 gallon if they're known to get big. 4 autos in 5 gallon pots will be easily done in a 4x4. Very few autos get really big but even those could be supercropped to work in a smaller tent. You'd save a good bit by using the smaller pots in soil cost and nutrient use and have zero loss of yield from smaller root mass.
GenericEnigma
Well-Known Member
I am running the KS5000 in a 4x4. It it a great light for those close mylar walls. I run a duct and place my fan/filter outside the tent. I use tower fans. I flip four photos to flower promptly.
If you're running four autos, depending on genetics overcrowding shouldn't be a big problem.
Be gentle with that light. It is powerful.