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

DrKingGreen said:

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!

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Which tent are you deciding to go with?

The only reason im still considering the Jardin is because its only like $40 more than the "cheap" ones and I figure that its probably got better stitching and zippers that will last longer....plus it was the MOST light proof out of a bunch of the big name brands according to greners.

mr2shim said:

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.

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Thanks man I will definitely scope it out after this wake n bake.

Will probably save me a few questions I was gonna ask you about your setup lol

achaser87 said:

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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Very good advice, thanks man.

I will say I think its odd that the Jardins only use 210D fabric and plastic corners when all the ebay tents use like 600D and metal corners. I believe the gotham tent even uses 910D or something.

Although I suppose its about HOW they were manufactured as well as the material....don't think Ive read a single review about a Jardin collapsing from cheap plastic joints but I have read many off-brand tents not holding the lights and dropping on plants! Not good!

No problem.

Id have to agree with you. The 4x2x5 Lighthouse hydro tent i got is 900D double stitched exterior, mylar reflective inside, plastic corners, 6/4 inch vent ports. No reason this wouldnt last atleast a few years IMO

achaser87 said:

No problem.

Id have to agree with you. The 4x2x5 Lighthouse hydro tent i got is 900D double stitched exterior, mylar reflective inside, plastic corners, 6/4 inch vent ports. No reason this wouldnt last atleast a few years IMO

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The Lighthouse Hydro has plastic corners? I thought I saw metal ones in the video...thats good to know.

Cronnoisseur said:

The Lighthouse Hydro has plastic corners? I thought I saw metal ones in the video...thats good to know.

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Yes plastic corners, although its good thick plastic. I've put alot of weigh on it, doesn't seem to be an issue, very durable. And thanks for the rep

mr2shim said:

They're a very good group of people. I've bought a few things from them, their communication is second to none.

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I wholeheartedly agree with mr2shim's statement. When I was first doing research, they answered quite a few questions for me (before and after purchase).

I first bought this tent which is lightproof, very, very durable, came with extra corners, and all of the vent holes have good covers and internal and external 'socks' for your venting:

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/281034522336?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649

I've also purchased lighting from them, and had the same great experience in dealing with them.

-spek

I agree, I bought my inline fan from Gotham Hydro (same company as Lighthouse) and it works great, quiter than other fans I've heard as well. I considered buying one of thier tents, but $70 (at the time) from apluschoice was too good to pass up. Where does light leak through on your tent mr2shim? The only place light escapes on mine is through the intake vents.

Alright guys I found a Secret Jardin DS90 (Dark Street not Dark Room) locally thats pretty much brand new for $80. Should I spring on this deal considering the same tent is around $140 new? Or should I hold out until I can afford the Dark Room?

Anyone owned 1 of the Dark Streets?? I know they have less intake/exhaust ports and are not as nice but I wonder if its decently light proof?? I could always just cover it with a big blanket or something if I had to.

The other big thing holding me back from buying it is its about a foot shorter than the Dark Room....but then again $80 for a Secret Jardin isnt bad especially since I could always upgrade later...

Thoughts??

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.

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i try and buy what i need ahead of time, instead of what i can use right now. the jardin tents come very highly reccomended for their durability, and being very well made. i have a few light leaks art the stitching. im sure about 90% of ALL tents have a few light leaks. little gorrilla duct tape on the outside and your all set. same reason why im running vent techs 6" 440 cfm fans for my ac hoods and my monster carbon scrubber. the fans are over kill, as i doubt ill even need them on or maby 1/2 power for the ac hoods. durning my testing, 5 hrs tent temps are only 86* highest (im still in the testing/dialing-in phase right now). im well over 2300 into my grow, and dropping another 400 today on soil, buckets, planters, nutes, and clones, tent fans, humidity/temp gauge, and other misc veg tent items.

DemonTrich said:

i try and buy what i need ahead of time, instead of what i can use right now. the jardin tents come very highly reccomended for their durability, and being very well made. i have a few light leaks art the stitching. im sure about 90% of ALL tents have a few light leaks. little gorrilla duct tape on the outside and your all set. same reason why im running vent techs 6" 440 cfm fans for my ac hoods and my monster carbon scrubber. the fans are over kill, as i doubt ill even need them on or maby 1/2 power for the ac hoods. durning my testing, 5 hrs tent temps are only 86* highest (im still in the testing/dialing-in phase right now). im well over 2300 into my grow, and dropping another 400 today on soil, buckets, planters, nutes, and clones, tent fans, humidity/temp gauge, and other misc veg tent items.

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I agree Id rather buy better quality up front that will last which is why im in such a pickle right now. Should I go buy the DarkStreet for $80 and be able to pick it up today, or should I just buy the DarkRoom online for $170?

Anyone else have experience with the DarkStreets??

All brands of tents will eventually have light leaks from the negative pressure pull tugging on the seams. HighTimes had an issue within the last year about tent growing and the writer talked about his tent having no leaks until after 20-30 minutes of his inline intake fan being turned on. It's the air pressure pull that tugs on the seams. Some brands may resist light leaks longer than others. You might even be able to get a few harvests without taping up the seams but why risk it. I used a whole roll of HVAC foil tape to cover every seam and corner on top,bottom, and sides with my Secret Jardin DR 80. The clear packaging tape over the HVAC foil tape is unnecessary , I just used that right after the HVAC foil tape because I had it. The HVAC foil tape is all you need and it will settle light leaks permanently. Forget about patching certain spots and just foil tape all the seams and be done with it.

No matter what brand of tent you get, buy a $7.00 roll of HVAC foil tape and tape over EVERY seam and corner. It's not worth the risk of chancing it and taping all the seams is a permanent fix. Tape it all up at one time and be done with it. Damn getting a seeded harvest because of a leak.

I thought about the tape but Im also considering using some panda film to just hang over the tent.