Best Location for Your Hydroponics Setup: Grow Room vs Tent  

 

So, you’ve decided what type of hydroponic system you want to run and what plants you want to grow. You’ve got a kit or parts for your DIY system, you’ve got grow lights, and you’re excited to build your system and start growing fresh, delicious vegetables, fruits, and herbs. But at the very last moment, you might be wondering, “Where do I put all this stuff?” and “Should I have a grow room or a grow tent?” That’s a really good question because the growing environment is very important. In this article, we’ll cover all the pros and cons of having a grow room vs tent so that you can make an informed decision as to which one is right for you.

 

A grow room, as the name suggests, refers to an entire room that has been converted into an indoor growing facility. A grow tent, on the other hand, may be a growing unit that is installed in a room.

 

You can convert any room into a grow room, but areas that are not in regular use, such as the attic, the basement, a spare room, are preferable. Having a grow room that is separated from the rest of your home helps ensure that your plants are away and safe from pets, children, or visitors. A grow room can be as big or as small as you want it to be.

 

Grow tents usually have a frame that is covered with fabric and has vents to allow ventilation. They come in a variety of sizes and with plenty of features that allow you to have better control over the growing environment of your plants.

 

With that said, let’s take a look at the pros and cons of having a grow room vs tent.

 

Pros and Cons of a Grow Room

 

Pros

 

Higher Yield

Since a grow room provides you with much more space than a grow tent, you can easily grow different crops in the same room. 

 

Controllable Environment

Having a dedicated grow room allows you to control the conditions. You can control air temperature, air circulation, ventilation, and humidity. They have sturdy ceilings and walls, so you can safely mount fans and other gadgets without worrying about the walls caving in.

 

Cons

 

Cost

Outfitting a grow room may require extensive supplies, materials, and equipment.

 

 

Pros and Cons of a Grow Tent

 

Pros

 

Portability 

The frame of a small grow tent is portable and easy to assemble. If you plan to move the grow tent to another part of the house, you can do that without any problem.

 

Less Space

Grow tents allow you to use the extra space in any room to grow plants. If you can't dedicate a whole room to indoor growing, you can certainly find space to set up a grow tent. Many grow tents come with a ready-made frame that can be installed in no time.

 

Beginner and Budget-Friendly

Grow tents are much more beginner-friendly. While looking for grow tents for sale, you may find that the costs of setting up a grow tent with grow lights are much less than setting up a grow room.

 

Energy Efficient

Most grow tents come with reflective walls which reflect the light and help your plants absorb as much light as possible.

 

Cons

 

Limited Space

Grow tents obviously have less space than a whole grow room, so you can only grow a set number of plants in a grow tent as opposed to a grow room.

 

Appearance

Having a grow tent in the corner of a living room, for example, can affect the overall appearance of your home. Even though it doesn't take up a considerable amount of space, it still looks like a huge tent in your room. You can set it up in a room that isn't used as much, such as a storage room.

 

If you’re a more experienced grower, and you’re planning to grow a lot of plants and can afford a grow room, I would certainly recommend going that route. You can fit many more plants inside and customize it to your liking. If you’re a beginner and not going to grow a lot of plants, or if you live in an apartment or a rental home where you can’t outfit a grow room, a grow tent is a good way to grow fresh, delicious vegetables, fruits, and herbs. You can set it anywhere you want around your apartment or house and still enjoy fresh produce all year round.

 

For more great content check out the Proponics YouTube channel below!

 

Proponics on YouTube

 

 

By Max Barnes

Max Barnes is a long-time homesteader and author. Max grows the majority of his own food year-round using a variety of different methods, including hydroponics. Hydroponic gardening plays a huge part in his homestead and self-sufficiency goals.