Help with DIY tent construction

[Leon Sanders]

So I've decided to move everything into the master bedroom. The attic is too hot, and the garage is a security issue (I can faintly hear fans on my driveway).

I'm planning on 2 4X8 cabs, either canvas or poly covered, either wood or metal construction.

First off, anyone know of a source for metal poles with screwed ends with metal corner fittings. I believe that will save me the most trouble.

Pros, Cons, suggestions would be valued. Especially if you've done DIY or storebought, I'd like to know what you would do differently.

 

[Leon Sanders]

And more thing. And please tell me that I'm a moron for even suggesting this, but...for $220 and shipping...tell me that I'm going down the wrong path...

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-REFLECTIVE-...ryZ43555QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[HEADDS]

store bought ones are cool but I'd make one out of PVC pipe. frame it like you would a house. dont glue anything and it would be easy as hell to take down quick. how would you take down a wooden growbox in 2 minutes?

 

[Leon Sanders]

I see that and have looked into it. It is the best except for strength. The room is secure without sorry of mr landlord stopping by. At this point I don't know If I can beat $220 while making a quality 4x8 with perfect vent holes etc.

Plus the other one involved in this don't want to do the panda plastic thing. I can have a friend fab a tarp out of canvas, but I'm not sure if all this can be done for $220, and as well.

I'm stuck with two decent cheap decisions.

 

[C21H30O2]

i think pvc is to light. you bump into it and the entire thing shifts. it can't hold heavy weighted equipment either. i suggest wood 2" x 2" to be exact. It is light, easily cut with hand tools, more than strong enough to support equipment, and super easy to build. You can build a box in an afternoon no problem. just get some wood screws and build two squares (cieling and floor) buy 4 poles cut them to height and wood screw it all together. cover in black white poly... grow.

 

[cyberthreat]

they sell pipes at Hd some of them are thread but not all they will put threads on for free at Hd then your fitting for your size pipe


Do Not buy anything off ebay its all crap if you want a good tent check out cheaphydroponics

 

[killabrown420]

You can build your own for much cheaper than the prebuilt ones. And it's one less security issue to deal with.

Last box I built (in my sig) I predrilled my holes, used brackets to hold it together w/ wood screws. I think we used 1x2's. Don't remember exactly but it was the cheapest wood they had. Just pick out all good pieces, predrill your holes so the wood doesn't split. You can take a drill and tear the thing apart in an hour if need be.








Or you can buy a pre-fab from lowes and rig it up the way you want. I had this one all inclusive. Veg/Flower/exhaust. W/ a 400 watt it put out ~4 oz's a harvest. That was with shitty yielding strains too.







and about your dimensions are you building 2- 4(L)x 8(W) cabs or 2 4x4x8 (lwh) What kind of lighting are you using? I was reading a grow log in the hydro forum, I think it was "diesel's out of control" or something like that. The guy was using side by side boxes, kinda like what you want. Check it out. Definately go w/ wood if your using any kind of heavy equipment.

Good luck!

*edit here are the pics and link to the thread i was referencing above ^^^

http://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=105180

 

[NiteTiger]

PVC can be very strong in short runs. Don't try to stretch it between two poles 4 feet apart, or 8 feet high. Use tees every two feet to build a cage style frame instead of a 4 post. Cover with your canvas tarp lined with the panda poly. You still want to use the panda - it's an issue of light distribution. Canvas is nowhere NEAR as reflective as the poly. I like the canvas cover though, use both.

As far as cost, I built Tiger's Den 4 for under $225, not counting lights and such. You can certainly build for much less than that.

 

[cyberthreat]

store bought ones are cool but I'd make one out of PVC pipe. frame it like you would a house. dont glue anything and it would be easy as hell to take down quick. how would you take down a wooden growbox in 2 minutes?

you could get it down with a screw gun and a axe but if the Leo was knocking or just the shit hit the fan I would. Bleach the plants then I built a master piece of wood then 2 screws and the box falls In on it self

 

[Dr.Snow]

i definently recommend NOT using plywood for the sides... its too big and heavy and a pain to get all the cracks well sealed... unless you need insulation i would go with PVC tigers den style and poly or some fabric for the walls... if you made the frame out of pvc it wouldn't have to be sturdy if you used 2x4s for hanging lights and mounting equipment. best of both worlds? good luck let us know how it turns out

 

[cyberthreat]

killabrown I like that one you made i have to make veg room I think I'm going with the wooden one. what did that cost to put together not the lights just the tent wrapped?

 

[NiteTiger]

i definently recommend NOT using plywood for the sides... its too big and heavy and a pain to get all the cracks well sealed... unless you need insulation i would go with PVC tigers den style and poly or some fabric for the walls..

Actually, TD4 was made of 2 bys and plywood

 

[moses224]

http://www.bghydro.com/BGH/itemdesc.asp?ic=GRT4X8&eq=&Tp=
They sell complete k1it but give instructions which you could use to make your own

 

[cyberthreat]

As far as lighting goes I was going to us a t5 8 bulb system with 48 inch 54 watt bulb with a DWC RES and lid with 10 3 inch net cup do you think that light is power full enough to support 9 veging plants and one mom and also would it be less than 500 if I build it and do they sell 54 watter at hd is there a differnce with the bulbs that they carry at grow shop I know how to wire every thing but how do you remote it just extend the wires to the sockets if its under 200$ i would probaly make a 12 bulb t5 system and use duct boster for ventaltion plus I have Stanley blower do I need carbon can I for veg the veg room I can thing's either ONA or exhaust it in to my flower room

 

[Hydro-Soil]

As far as lighting goes I was going to us a t5 8 bulb system with 48 inch 54 watt bulb with a DWC RES and lid with 10 3 inch net cup do you think that light is power full enough to support 9 veging plants and one mom and also would it be less than 500 if I build it and do they sell 54 watter at hd is there a differnce with the bulbs that they carry at grow shop I know how to wire every thing but how do you remote it just extend the wires to the sockets if its under 200$ i would probaly make a 12 bulb t5 system and use duct boster for ventaltion plus I have Stanley blower do I need carbon can I for veg the veg room I can thing's either ONA or exhaust it in to my flower room

Hey CT

Might want to ask that as a thread. Try to break it up into a few basic questions. Make sure you use the search function here and elsewhere first.

Someone will have your answers but they'll find your question more easily if you post it as an individual thread. (Peeps have to read this one to discover you need input)

Good Luck!

 

[strydr]

Cyber,
I could not find a tent that fit my spot, so I built one out of 1/2 inch PVC and Panda film.

My lights (2x400 CHM- pic is old setup) are hung from a 1 1/2 PVC "T" frame

Cost was about $150, but most of that was the whole roll of panda, of which I only used maybe %10. I can rip the tent out in 30 min. Only issue is, the panda film is pretty thin, and can get snagged on sharp spots, and torn. Also, my cat likes to attack the plastic for some reason.

Anyway, for a cheap solution, that's completely tailorable to your spot, it's not a bad option.

 

[nekoloving]

Cyber,
I could not find a tent that fit my spot, so I built one out of 1/2 inch PVC and Panda film.

My lights (2x400 CHM- pic is old setup) are hung from a 1 1/2 PVC "T" frame

Cost was about $150, but most of that was the whole roll of panda, of which I only used maybe %10. I can rip the tent out in 30 min. Only issue is, the panda film is pretty thin, and can get snagged on sharp spots, and torn. Also, my cat likes to attack the plastic for some reason.

Anyway, for a cheap solution, that's completely tailorable to your spot, it's not a bad option.

C-C-C-COMBO BREAKER!!!

i think this may have just blown my mind so by looking there thats a closet that would normally have the sliding doors but just has that hanging on the inside?? did you line the whole closet? what about venting? or just this bit in the center?????

p.s. +Rep

 

[strydr]

Neko,
It still has the sliding doors, they are just off when I need inside. I built a frame out of PVC, then wrapped it in panda, taped up the two zippers, and cut a door.
I've changed things around a bit since that pic- went from 1x600 HPS to 1x600 HPS + 1x400 CMH (wanted two hoods in there- they *just fit). There is a small space above the enclosure- this is where all the cooling and scrubbing is done. Just to the left of the tent (can't see from this angle) is my "power panel". I currently have a 6in. vortex pulling air (split) through the hoods, and the room, pushing it through a Can50. Lights are normally sealed (have Co2), but right now I need the added heat , so the glass is out, and no Co2 right now. Fresh air comes from the sliding door to the left (out of frame)

Hope that helps! Any more ?'s, just ask..

(just for kicks, here's what just came out of there

C99