Which tent to buy

I like my Mars tent. It’s held up to 3 years of my constant abuse and is still in great shape.

6’ tall too. That extra foot makes a big difference. I’ve even grown impossibly tall sativas in it.

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I bought a Gorilla 3’x3’ about 1 year ago (13 months), with the height extension.

I would be hard pressed to buy it again.

The corners leak light at most of the needle marks in the stitches.
The main zipper has failed at the bottom, zipper separating from fabric.

I thought I was buying a premium product, after 1 year and 3 grows, I am questioning that belief.

Not sure who I will go to for my next tent, I doubt it will be Gorilla…

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A 3x3x6 is a good starting point. I’m pretty sure amazon has some cheap tents, but you may have to re-wrap them with something.
I’d focus on getting a good light. Whats your budget look like? Do you want to go all out or just try it out?
First time checklist(in order of importance, IMO)

1)good genetics
2)adequate lighting for those genetics
3)good growing medium. I would NOT go outside and dig some mud up and try to grow in that, unless you are familiar with soil biology.
4)figure out what you need to feed either the plant or feed the soil
5)grow space and proper air circulation for said space

Also take a look at the alternate shapes to see if you can fit a tent better with a non-cubical tent. You might only be able to fit a 3x3 square but a 3x4 rectangle (this was me buying a second tent, I got the AC Infinity 3x4 dividable, it’s pretty good for an all in one, but I wouldn’t flower in it, zippers leak). Or if you have a sloped ceiling there are barn shaped roofs that snug into a corner better, letting you size it up. You can do six plants in just about any size tent, but I’d recommend 4x4 if you can swing it. I usually flower out 4-6 in my 4x4 and pull around a pound per cycle under 500w of quantum boards. I agree with folks that 6’ is as short as you want to go, I have 7’6" height on the 4x4 Lighthouse and it’s awesome.

I do agree with other commenters that the tent is just one bit, and that you can probably fudge it at first with a cheapo, but you don’t want to end up with something useless. That said, lights, grow medium, and ventilation are going to be at least as important as the tent, arguably more so. But the cheap midrange stuff gets better and better, definitely look around here on OG and you’ll have plenty of luck finding recommendations on inexpensive gear that just works. For me, I use HLG lights, a refurbished 550 R-spec for flower, and two DIY kits from them I built, a 135w B-spec QB288 panel, and a 320w 2xQB96 rig. They’re not the cheapest, but with a coupon it’s not bad, and I like that they’re fully modulars so rebuildable/upgradeable. AC Infinity fans are the best price/performance ratio, but my cheapo Vivosun inline is still kicking just fine too. Strap a box fan to the roof pointing down for cheap air circulation, and put another oscillating one on the floor between the pots. Clip on grow fans are nice for internal circulation but whatever you’ve got works. Lots of people like to take a tower fan and strap it to a corner pole. Tons of cheap and smart ways to get it done, and you’ll find most of them here!

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Don’t get in a rush and buy something in haste. The old phrase haste makes waste is still valid. Depending on tent size don’t go too big with a fan or you will have negative pressure inside and way more air flow than needed. I have a new AC Infinity and I have to keep speed at minimum and still have more air moving than I need but it’s OK. Good fan. If your in a place where your legal perils make a carbon filter better than a lawyer on retainer I suggest a Phresh or Phat filter. I tried a cheap vivosun one couple years back at half the price of a Phresh and within a few months it failed at stopping odors outside the tent. I went back to Phresh filter that I have trusted for years living in a housing addition in the Midwest burbs and not a whiff from exhausting to the attic. HLG lights are pricey but I’m sure there are less expensive options.
It’s a learning experience but I can say myself I do NOT regret making sure my shopping list for tent, fan, lighting (most importantly) and timers is set in stone with verified prices and sources. All the rest I rate as consumables that can be upgraded when the budget allows.
Good luck and don’t overwater :+1:t2:

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probably the most importanr advice - everybody overwaters at first

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A lot of your knowledge will come from hands on experience. You can only read and study so much in the beginning to get a grasp of what you’re supposed to be doing to have a healthy plant and a good product at the end. Good luck with everything. We’re all here to help in times of need and learning

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That’s why I use coco. No guessing on the water to much OK, to little Ok :sunglasses: :metal: :metal: :metal: :metal: :peace_symbol:

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If your on a budget and want high quality take a look at the “Bay6” range if they are available in your country.

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Hahaha, it’s why I went fully hydro! I’m full time DWC inside.

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I’ve been full rdwc for the past few years. Going back to my autopots 100% next grow. Full hydro is excellent BUT also time consuming. Conditions need to be 100% perfect. The slightest error can create massive problems that has you chasing your tail.
My biggest indoor yield was rdwc. 12oz from a single plant in the corner of my tent BUT it was hard work keeping it happy.
I keep saying it but for it being called “Weed” it’s a bitch to grow.

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I have two Vivosun tents and a Mars Hydro tent. The fabric is much thicker on the MH. The zipper feels more substantial. And the flap over the zipper is very thick and wide enuff to help with light leaks from the zipper. I got inside the tent and had my wife zip me up. We had the lights in the room going. And also used a flashlight and I could not see any pinholes anywhere. The Vivosun tents leak light thru the zippers and are always getting stuck in the fabric.
My vote goes to MarsHydro. The Vivosun do work tho.

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I enjoy my feedings and micro-dosing too much in coco. Being able to hit a plant with a microdose the day after a full feed, based on plant movement and climate the following day is essential in my relationship with each individual plant I’m growing. The attention I give each plant is rewarding to me. Hydro I would be bored out of my skull with. Feeding time is one of many enjoyments I get from growing this remarkable plant.

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AC Infinity. I have a 2x2 and a 2x4 they are both excellent quality 2000 D material. I had a zipper break and they practically overnighted a new cover. I kinda fixed the zipper though so now I have a backup tent skin. Noone uses 2000D other than Gorilla which is triple the price afaik.

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How is it divided up? Is the main chamber a 2x2? How tall is it? They dont list dimensions anywhere I could find.

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I can’t wait to set up my gear for my indoor. I don’t know when I’m going to be able to start my indoor grow. Let’s call it a zoning issue. I know outdoor season just ended. I already miss the relationship with my plants. :upside_down_face:

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It’s a 3x3 main chamber and then a two level 1x3 that separates with a Velcro wall of double sided reflective fabric. So it’s got a few extra vents and that second level just acts as a shelf. And it’s got an extra set of frame cross pieces for the divider and shelf which makes it diesel as hell for the price. I bought it for the size to max out the space I had left for a second tent, so I haven’t used the divider yet.

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How do I go about ordering through you? Could you pm me or give me a link for you…??? I need to order several things and I’d rather spend my money with someone in the community

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I got one of those for 150 shipped. Brand New to whoever wants it. They sent me two when I order a split tent like that. It’s a 4*4.

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