Grow Tent: A Brief Buyer’s Guide

The iconic grow tent has seen a massive boom in popularity in recent years, and for a few different reasons. Have you been eager to grow plants but find yourself with limited space outside? Are you perhaps interested in cultivating high-cost crops but are worried about the incompatible outdoor climate and pests? Futurama has the solution for you – we stock several grow tent options from reputable brands, and are happy to help you find the one best suited to your needs and growing aspirations. ​​

Grow tents are a must-have for anyone who wants to get involved with indoor gardening. Read further to learn more about these collapsible tents, why they are so useful, and how they can help you achieve your harvest goals.

What Is A Grow Tent And How Does It Work?

Grow tents are designed to be kept in basements, closets, garages, and other small indoor areas. They are sizable compact tents with reflective interior walls. Generally, grow tents have a multi-sided fabric exterior that is fitted over a sturdy frame and typically feature openings or zipscreen “doors” – allowing you to use equipment to tend to the plants inside. They are used across the world by indoor gardeners, especially those who grow plants like herbs, vegetables, or rare flowers.

Grow tents are built like a typical tent, using a metal frame and a light-proof fabric material to prevent light leakage while maintaining a sturdy tent structure. Plants need light to photosynthesize, which in turn leads to them developing and growing as intended. In a grow tent, light is provided using grow lamps. Essentially, a grow tent is a hospitable, sealed environment for your plants to grow in.

Here are three areas in which grow tents excel when it comes to indoor harvesting:

 1. Light 

The reflective interior lining of a grow tent reflects the light produced by grow lamps, transferring the light onto the plants, maximising the exposure, and reducing the loss of photons. In a grow tent, light is also reflected to the lower parts of the plant, which in nature would have been in the shade or hidden from sunlight. What makes a grow tent unique in terms of lighting is that it does not allow light to enter or escape, meaning your plants will only be exposed to light when you want them to be. Essentially, your grow tent can be adjusted to suit any plant’s growth preferences, allowing you a controlled environment to work with.

Because the natural 24-hour light cycle involves nighttime, it is important to incorporate this aspect into your grow tent project. At night, plants do not photosynthesize and instead rely on stored energy to carry out cellular respiration, which consumes oxygen and produces carbon dioxide. Grow tents are extremely effective in creating these lighting conditions as most modern grow light systems can be dimmed down and brightened, allowing you to be in control of your plants environment at all times.

2. Temperature

Temperature influences the growth of plants greatly. It directly affects the enzymatic reactions within plant cells, contributing to photosynthesis. Temperature also affects the respiration rate of plants, as well as the transpiration rate, and germination. Plants are sensitive to temperature and each type of plant will have a different preference, which is why you need to research your plants extensively. Luckily, your grow tent will allow you to control the temperature within the tent and change it according to your plants’ needs.

As well as adjusting the brightness and height of your lights, a grow tent has a ventilation system that you can use to control temperature and increase air circulation. Although tents are typically sealed, grow tents do have some openings and vents that can be opened and resealed, allowing the ventilation equipment to be fitted in to perform its job. Regardless of the conditions outside of the grow tent, your plants will be safely stored and given all that they need to flourish.

3. Humidity 

Humidity, or the amount of water vapour in the air, is very important to consider when growing plants in a grow tent. Humidity affects the transpiration rate of plants as well as nutrient uptake. The more humid the environment is, the better your plants and their soil can hold in water. Humidity also helps your seeds to germinate as some seeds require specific humidity conditions to initiate the germination process. During the stages of germination and seedling establishment, the humidity levels in your grow tent are very important and should be monitored to ensure consistency.

It is best to avoid dry conditions as much as possible because your plants will become stressed, and disease is more likely to develop and infect them. Of course, all plants are different and some may thrive in bone-dry environments – which is why it’s always best to do your research before deciding on the right grow tent for your purposes.

Using a grow tent allows you to maintain and dictate the level of humidity for your plants. The perfect, isolated climate allows your plants to thrive in a self-sustained environment. If you correctly maintain the light and temperature levels by monitoring them through a hygrometer and thermometer, your humidity levels are sure to be spot on.

What Other Tools Will I Need for My Grow Tent?

You may be wondering what other tools and equipment you will need for your grow tent setup. It is important to remember that, although a grow tent can be helpful, it is only a structure and requires the assistance of a range of extra tools in order to grow plants effectively. This can seem like a hassle as you may not be sure what other tools you will need and may even be worried that you would struggle to find or buy them.

Luckily for you, at Futurama we understand this worry and have created grow packages that include both the tent and the tools needed. Our goal is to make your life easier, which is why we have painstakingly compiled grow tent packages that offer everything you could possibly need to reap a rewarding harvest.

Generally, our Futurama grow package consist of the following useful tools:

• Grow tent
• Grow Light
• Carbon Filter
• Wing Reflector
• Electronic Ballast
• Clip Fan
• Inline Axial Fan
• Ducting Tube
• Quick-Release Air Duct Clamp
• Heavy-Duty Rope Ratchets
• Hygro-Thermometer
• Programmable Timer

We also stock a few more useful items that you may need for your grow tent including nutrients, grow mediums, carbon filters, and nets.

Grow Tent: Before You Buy

There are a few different factors that will influence the kind of grow tent your plants will thrive best in. The species of plant, as well as the overall volume of plants you hope to grow can both determine the kind of tent to keep an eye out for. If you want to grow only a few small plants then you can opt for a smaller tent, or an extension kit to accommodate future growth. However, if you plan on cultivating larger plants that grow quite tall, then a bigger tent is probably the better option. Afterall, you don’t want your plants bending and buckling because the roof is too low, and there is no reason to buy a massive grow tent if you are only planning on growing a few sprouts.

It is important to have enough space for your plants to grow freely, as well as to be able to fit all of your equipment inside. Remember, as your plants grow taller, you will need to adjust your lighting fixtures to accommodate their height. You will also have your extraction equipment positioned in your grow tent, and you might even have a clip-on fan for better air circulation. 

Make sure to secure adequate floor space so that, when you go into the grow tent and tend to your plants, you can move around comfortably and access your plants to observe them closely. Don’t forget to consider the floor space that all your grow equipment and electric cables will need too. The last thing you want is a cramped tent which could lead to someone tripping and falling on a precious plant.

At Futurama, we stock several-sized tents. Currently, our smallest tent is a propagator grow tent that is only 60cm x 40cm in width and length, and 200cm in height. Our larger tents can reach up to 600cm x 300cm in width and length, and 220cm in height. With over 70 different tent designs and 7 brands in stock, we are guaranteed to have the perfect grow tent suited to your needs.

We currently stock grow tents from the brands listed below, ensuring that you receive a high-quality tent that will last you a good long while:

• BudBox
• Gorilla Grow
• Secret Jardin
• Mammoth Tents
• LightHouse
• Garden HighPro
• Mars Hydro

Looking After Your Grow Tent

If you take the time to care for something, it is sure to last. This is true for your plants, and the same goes for your grow tent. You will want to look after it by regularly cleaning and maintaining it – keeping it in top condition so that it, in turn, can keep your plants flourishing.

While new grow tents don’t come with any mould or pest issues, it is best to take precautionary action and wipe the ceiling and walls with antibacterial wipes before placing your plants inside. If the grow tent does experience a case of mould or pests, it is best to do a deep clean to avoid contaminating your plants. While many websites may recommend using diluted bleach to wipe down your grow tent walls, we recommend using hydrogen peroxide.

For daily maintenance, check on your plants and consider sweeping or vacuuming the floor. For weekly maintenance, follow the steps listed below:

1. For hygiene purposes we generally suggest using some hydrogen peroxide and any cleaning cloth to wipe down trays and tools after use.
2. Drain, clean, and sterilise the water system, especially if you’re a hydro-grower. Don’t forget all of your tubes and reservoirs. This helps to prevent mould and bacteria from growing.
3. Check between your house wall and your reflective tent. Give it a clean with a cloth and hydrogen peroxide if you suspect the area may be trapping humidity, as this could also lead to mould growth.
4. Finally, check the air filter system. Replace the filter from time to time to make sure your plants are getting clean and fresh air.

Every month, we advise you to sterilise your tent by cleaning every surface, tray, and tool with hydrogen peroxide. Check the irrigation system and clean it with watered-down bleach if you’re using an automated watering system. Finally, don't forget to check your lighting and wipe the bulbs down with antibacterial wipes.

It is important to maintain and regularly clean your grow tent to prevent the growth of pests and plant diseases. Regularly maintaining your grow tent ensures the longevity of the equipment, prevents light leaks, reduces odours, and ensures high-quality air and circulation.

About Futurama

At Futurama, we are experts in growing and cultivating, and we would be happy to help you with your growing journey. Choose from our range of tent sizes which include 75 x 75cm, 80 x 80cm, 100 x 100cm, 120 x 120cm, 150 x 150 cm, 240 x 120cm, 240 x 240cm, 300 x 300cm, and 600 x 300cm.

Some of our tents include multi-chambers and others are propagator grow tents. We sell individual grow tents, separate pieces of equipment, as well as combos and packages including both. If your equipment needs replacing, simply head to our website and find what you need at the click of a button.

Take a look at our website and explore our stock of grow tents and other accessories. We stock just about everything you could possibly need to secure a decent harvest, and we are constantly expanding our range – so, if you don’t find what you're looking for, don’t hesitate to contact us and we will do our best to help you out.