Indoor gardening is a preferred hobby of most plant lovers these days. While you may think that it is easy to set up an indoor garden anywhere in your house, such as in your basement or in a shed, it’s actually more advantageous to grow your garden in a grow tent. This is because a grow tent gives you complete control on how you grow your plants. For that, you need the best grow tent kits in the market to help you grow the indoor garden that you want.
Don’t have the time to read through our list? No worries! Here’s our top pick for the best grow tent kits 2018!
While we have 5 of the best complete grow tent packages, our top pick out of the list is the all-in-one TheBudGrower.com Indoor Grow Tent Kit. This brand is definitely one of the best grow tent kits in the entire market— carrying everything that an indoor garden needs. This indoor grow room package has a hydroponic hut that is completely eco-friendly and has special hydroponic hot soil. It also comes with a built-in light fixture, carbon air filter, and exhaust fan— all top grade and high quality.
One con of this grow room kit is the fact that the various stuff included may be too overwhelming for beginners and first-time users. Also, the package only include one 150w HPS bulb, which is about 9500 lumens. The general rule is to have at least 2000 lumens per square foot. So, if you have more space to cover, you need to add more HPS bulbs.
We’ll get into detail about the features of the top product later on. For now, let’s check out how the best pick fares with the other packages on the list.
Comparison Table Of The 5 Best Grow Tent Kits
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Rating |
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Products |
Score |
Price |
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1 Best |
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TheBudGrower.com Complete Indoor Grow Tent Kit Editor’s Choice |
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2 |
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HTG Supply Complete DWC Grow Tent Kit with 39x39x79 Dimension |
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3 |
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HTG Supply Complete DWC Grow Tent Kit with 36x22x63 Dimension |
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4 |
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HTG Supply Advanced Grow Tent Kit with Organic Soil + Nutrients |
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5 |
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Ideal Conditions For An Indoor Garden
Before you consider starting an indoor garden, it’s important that you understand the ideal conditions needed to make indoor growing successful. Understanding the basic conditions will also help you fully maximize the use of your grow tent. Here are a few things to consider:
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Good Lighting
Light is essential to the growth of the plants because it helps the plant produce food through photosynthesis. Usually, plants would get the needed light from the sun. However, in an indoor setting, sunlight is absent. For this reason, you need to give an alternative source of light to the plants, hence the need for artificial lighting though LED or HPS grow lights.
While most people think that nothing beats natural light, one big benefit of using artificial light is that you can control the amount of heat that the plants get and the time of darkness. Some plants need more light while others need sufficient amount of time in the dark. If you think your plant needs more time in darkness, you can just dim or shut the lights.
Most closet grow room kit manufacturers do offer lighting systems with an automatic timer. This will give you the convenience of setting the appropriate light-dark cycle for your plants.
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Air
Air is also very important in an indoor garden environment. Plants take in CO2 or carbon dioxide from the surrounding air to complete the Photosynthesis process. On average, fresh air has 300-500 ppm or parts per million carbon dioxide. The thing about indoor gardens is that the carbon dioxide supply inside is usually limited and the plants might absorb them quickly. As a grower, you need to make sure that the supply of fresh air is continuous so that your plants can continuously get the right amount of carbon dioxide to create food.
For indoor gardens, plants need slightly higher CO2 levels than the atmospheric conditions, somewhere between 1,000-1,3000 ppm. To supplement this ideal range of CO2, growers use CFM fans to remove the air depleted of CO2 and replace it with more fresh air from outside.
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Temperature
You have to ensure that the temperature in your garden is just right; otherwise, your plants will die out fast. The ideal temperature for an indoor garden should be about 20 to 28 degrees Celsius. In order to control this, you need to have an initial heat source (which is usually from the LED or HPS light), a thermostat, and a fan. This system allows you to customize the temperature so that the garden is neither too hot nor too cold.
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Humidity
Most people use temperature and humidity interchangeably, but they are quite different. Temperature refers to how hot or how cold the environment is and can be measured by a thermostat. Humidity, on the other hand, refers to how much water vapor the air can hold. When it is hotter, the air can hold more water vapor, which is why you feel the air very thick and warm during hot weather.
The management of humidity in a garden is very important because high humidity produces a lot of organisms that are harmful to plants. High humidity causes the growth of bacteria and fungus. This is why you should get a dehumidifier to monitor the humidity level of your garden. The ideal humidity for plants would be a max of 50%. If it goes beyond that, you need to use a cooling fan to bring the humidity down.
Different Grow Tent Kits Options
There are three major types of grow tent kits in the market. These are the basic, intermediate, and the advanced kits. We’ll go through each one of them one by one and explain how each one is used.
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Basic Grow Tent Kit
The first type is the basic grow tent and the ones that should be used by beginners. The basic grow tent is usually made of reflective canvas with some ventilation holes. It comes with a full spectrum LED light system. It usually has blue and red spectrums with a bit of UV and IR. Getting the best led grow tent kits with a full spectrum is actually the ideal lighting for an indoor garden.
Aside from that, basic grow tents come with basic ventilation to allow carbon dioxide to continuously flow inside. The ventilation system is composed of a few exhaust ports, a fan, and an air filter. The air filters are there to regulate the fresh air and make sure that there is no odor inside your garden.
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Intermediate Grow Tent Kit
The intermediate grow tent kit has all the things that the basic grow tent kit has but with more equipment for the intermediate level gardeners. The intermediate grow tent comes with a multi-stage LED light system that is more durable and more energy-efficient than the usual full spectrum LED light.
The multi-stage LED light, unlike the regular LED light, is configurable depending on the stage the plant is in. It is actually the best light for a big grow tent such as a 4×4 tent (Click here to know the best light for 4×4 grow tent).
Multi-stage LED lights only produce the light that the plant needs at the stage it’s in via a switch. Of course, this is done with the aid of a timer as well wherein the LED light will shut itself off when it is time for the plants to rest.
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Advanced Grow Tent Kit
The advanced grow tent is recommended for those who are a little more experienced in gardening and for those who are into hydroponics. Advanced full grow kits have a dual compartment. One compartment is where you put plants in their vegetative state and the other is when the plants are in their bloom state.
Aside from the dual component, advanced kits also have existing nutrients specific for seeds, vegetation plants, blooming plants, and budding plants. Advanced kits also have humidity controllers and thermostats which allow you to auto control the environment.
Lastly, advanced grow kits have a hydroponics feeding system specially made for hydroponic gardeners. Hydroponics is a different method of gardening that needs more experience to do.
4 Qualities Of The Best Grow Tent Kits (Buyer’s Guide)
Now that you know the various grow tent kits options available to buy and the ideal conditions affecting an indoor garden, there’s still one question left unanswered— how do you know which one is best for you?
Well, there really is no solid answer to which one is best for your garden. However, you can, at least, narrow down the list by knowing what qualities to look for. Here are 4 qualities that you should look out for in the best grow tent kit:
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Size
Size is one of the most important things to consider. The rule of thumb when it comes to size is to allow ample space for your plants to be spread out. Just to give you an idea, check out the sizes below:
- 1-2 plants: 2×2 tent
- 2-4 plants: 2×4 tent or 3×3 tent
- 4-6 plants: 4×4 tent
- 4-10 plants: 4×8 tent or 5×5 tent
- 10-16 plants: 5×9 tent or 8×8 tent
- 15-18 plants: 10×10 tent
- 16 plants and above: 8×16
You can use this as a rough guide to know which size of tent you should buy.
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Material
The material of the tent determines how durable it is. The material will tell you whether it has a high rip resistance or not. The basic guideline is to buy the tent with the strongest fabric. Nylon or rayon are pretty good picks to buy if you’re looking for strength.
The best grow tent kits are made from the strongest material like nylon oxford cloth
Aside from the tent itself, you also need to check the material of the frame. Plastic connectors are not recommended because they snap pretty easily. You also want to avoid the grow tents that have smooth reflective surfaces because they create hot spots that can break and damage the tent.
Lastly, make sure that the zippers are high quality. If the zippers wear and tear easily, the light inside can escape. This could affect the growth of your plants.
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Heat Resistance
Heat resistance is another factor you might want to take into consideration. While heat helps your garden to yield more, too much of it can also cause harm and stop the growth of your plants. This is another reason to avoid grow tents with smooth surfaces because they’re not heat resistant. In addition, to avoid overheating your grow lights, it is wise to have a ballast cooling system integrated into your lamp ducts. You can also add a second to control the temperature inside the tent.
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Type Of Garden
Of course, you must buy the grow tent kit that suits the kind of garden you’re trying to grow. For example, if you want to grow a DWC (Deep Water Culture) garden, you have to buy a grow tent that includes a hydroponics garden feeding system which is the advanced type. As compared to a regular pot indoor garden, you can just buy a beginner or intermediate one.
A complete lighting system, filter, and fan are ideal for any indoor garden. Source: youtube.com
Faqs About Grow Tent Kits
Want to know more about grow tent kits? Here are a few FAQs that you may find interesting:
Q: What is the overall cost of planting in a grow tent?
A: The kit costs around $400 to $600 at average, depending on the kits you buy. The ones on the list are very reasonably priced. Also, an ounce of flower is somewhere around $100 to $300 depending on the type. All in all, you might spend around $1,000 for the whole package.
Q: Why should I buy a kit with a carbon filter?
A: We all know that plants need carbon dioxide the same way humans need oxygen. This is why it is important to keep the carbon dioxide regulated. You can do this with a filter. Basically, the filter cleans the air, removing odor and excess moisture and supplying new fresh air full of CO2.
Q: How many hours should the grow light stay on?
A: At average, any indoor gardener would tell you that blooming plants should have 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness while vegetating plants should get 18 hours of light and 6 hours of darkness. So, choose a grow tent package with lights system that can support your plants well.
Q: Why is a grow tent kit good for hydroponics?
A: Hydroponic plants are a little bit tricky to manage because they grow differently as compared to regular soil-based plants. This is why you need the most suitable environment for your plants. With a grow tent, you can actually customize and provide the ideal conditions to fit the plants’ need. All you have to do is know what environment your plants thrive in and try to create and replicate it.
5 Best Indoor Grow Tent Kits 2018
#1 TheBudGrower.com Complete Indoor Grow Tent Kit
TheBudGrower.com Complete Indoor Grow Tent Kit. Via: Amazon.com
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Pros
- It is made from non-toxic and durable fabric.
- It has a lighting system made of 150-watt HPS grow lights.
- It has a special hot soil made specifically for hydroponics.
- It comes with Bushdoctor coco loco potting mix.
- It comes with a 200 CFM carbon filter.
- It has a 5-speed control inline exhaust fan.
- It’s very easy to set up making it a one of the best grow tent kits for beginners.
- It is more affordable than most brands of the same quality.
- It is a complete kit! It has a complete grow tent kits for soil and hydroponic growing.
Cons
- It comes with a lot of stuff and parts which may be overwhelming for beginners.
- You might need to search for tutorial videos on how to set up the parts depending on the garden type you want to have.
Installing the fan and filter is one of the hardest parts of setting up a grow room. To help you out, here’s a video explaining the best fan and filter set-up:
#2 HTG Supply Complete DWC Grow Tent Kit with 39x39x79 Dimension
HTG Supply Complete DWC Grow Tent Kit with 39x39x79 Dimension. Via: Amazon.com
This HTG Supply grow tent kit comes with an HTG HPS grow light that goes very well with the kit. It also has its own thermometer and hygrometer that can measure both the temperature and the humidity of the environment so that you’ll know how to control it. It also has its own Bubble Boy DWC system for those who want to grow hydroponic plants.
Pros
- It has a plug and play feature, making it very easy to use.
- It has an Agromax grow tent to ensure durability.
- It comes with HTG lightbulb systems.
- It has its own GrowBright thermometer and hygrometer.
- It has a portable circulation fan.
- It comes with its own Bubble Boy DWC hydroponic system.
Cons
- Its size requires a 4-inch fan.
- It’s not cheap.
#3 HTG Supply Complete DWC Grow Tent Kit with 36x22x63 Dimension
HTG Supply Complete DWC Grow Tent Kit with 36x22x63 Dimension. Via: Amazon.com
This package of HTG Supply grow tent kit is just like the previously mentioned one except for tent dimension. This one has measurements of 22 inches long, 36 inches wide, and 63 inches of height. It’s also complete with a durable grow tent, light hangers, a DWC hydroponic system, and an HTG Supply light system.
Pros
- It is also a plug and play grow tent kit for easier handling.
- It comes with a powerful 120-volt electrical system with one 250w HPS grow light.
- It also has a Bubble Boy 3.5 gallon DWC hydroponic system.
- It comes with a timer.
- It has advanced nutrients for balancing pH.
- It is one of the best indoor grow kits for vegetables.
Cons
- The small size is not ideal for more advanced gardeners with bigger gardens.
- The nutrients are a little bit too little in the package.
#4 HTG Supply Advanced Grow Tent Kit with Organic Soil + Nutrients
HTG Supply Advanced Grow Tent Kit with Organic Soil + Nutrients. Via: Amazon.com
This grow tent kit is similar to the two previously mentioned kits. It also does have the plug and play feature, thermometer, inline fan, etc. What makes it special is that it comes with a bottle Buddha Grow and a bottle Buddha bloom nutrients, which are an ideal indoor pot growing kit. The Buddha Grow and bloom nutrients can be used for both soil and hydroponic gardening. Their consistency is very smooth that they do not clog up your watering system even if you choose to grow in a water-based system.
Pros
- It is a plug and play grow tent.
- It has a high power of 462 watts.
- It comes with a 400-watt HPS grow light system.
- It comes with Roots Organic Soil.
- It comes with Buddha Grow and Buddha Bloom bottles.
- It has a good measurement of 39 inches long, 39 inches wide, and 85 inches of height— a perfect height for plants that are growing too tall.
Cons
- It is quite expensive.
- It doesn’t come with a few plants or seeds.
#5 Hydro Plus Grow Tent Complete Package for Hydroponics
Hydro Plus Grow Tent Complete Package for Hydroponics. Via: Amazon.com
The Hydro Plus Grow Tent package is the only one on the list that sports an LED light. The LED light system has a 1200 watt light with a 6-inch filter and a fan with a speed controller. It also comes with a thermometer and hygrometer. It’s ideal for growing hydroponic plants.
Pros
- It has a big size with dimensions 60x32x80.
- It comes with a 1200 watt LED grow light system.
- It has a fan with a fan speed controller.
- It has both a hygrometer and thermometer.
- It has a bonsai shearer.
- It has light hangers.
Cons
- It doesn’t come with a hydroponic feeder system, making it a bit too expensive for its price.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a grow tent to house your indoor potted or hydroponic garden, then look for the best grow tent kit that can supply the needed conditions for your garden. Our list provides you with the top 5 picks for complete grow tent packages that you’ll definitely love. But to get more value for your money, we recommend you get our top pick!
TheBudGrower.com Complete Indoor Grow Tent Kit has everything you would need to set up your garden from scratch. It is also priced reasonably and has garnered positive feedback from the users. Although setting up the parts may require you to search for tutorials online, the tools and stuff that comes with the package are perfect for beginner and seasoned growers.
If you enjoyed reading our full review and want to know more about indoor gardening, you can check out our other reviews as well. Here is another review of the best active aqua chiller (https://gardenambition.com/active-aqua-chiller-review/) that you may be interested in.
Thank you for reading our article! 🙂