It’s been over ten years since I last grew marijuana. Not surprisingly a lot of things about growing has changed, particularly when it comes to indoor growing. As grow technology advances it has become increasingly difficult to separate the great new products from the cheap knockoffs. All the hype and clever marketing ploys in the cannabis industry don’t make it any easier to pick quality grow equipment. Needless to say, when I set up my current grow operation I had to do a bit of research to catch up with the times. One of the most important step in this process was finding a quality grow tent that would fit in the limited space of my apartments spare room. I’d like to share some details about the tent I chose.
The 120 inch x 60 inch x 80inch Grow Tent
I had an idea of how many plants I wanted to grow and how much light and space I needed, so I went ahead and purchased the Apollo 120inch x 60inch x 80inch grow tent. Translating this to feet, it’s approximately 10′ x 5′ x 6.5′. This tent is the largest in the product line and provides about 50 square feet of grow space. After measuring my room, I found I had just enough space around the outside of the tent to access power outlets and move equipment without giving up access the room’s closet for extra storage. I knew I’d be able to comfortably fit six plants with plenty of room to spare should I decide to expand my operation later.
Grow Tent Features
The Apollo is not the most feature-rich tent on the market, but it was certainly well designed. On its longest sides, the tent has two zipper operated doors to access the interior. Each door features two zippers for ease of opening, no matter where you decide to close or open it.
The material the tent is made of is a thick canvas, black on the outside and reflective Mylar inside. The seams are double stitched for extra durability. Both of the smaller walls feature 6″ duct holes near the top for installing proper ventilation. At the bottom of the wall, there are 4″ duct holes as well as a 2″ hole for plumbing or electrical use. There are also two 6″ duct holes on the top of the tent.
On the outside bottom of the tent, there are several 12″ x 4″ Velcro-attached rectangles that can be removed for even greater airflow. Each of the duct holes feature two sleeves with a pull cord, allowing you to create a light-proof seal around any wire, pipe, or air duct you bring in or out of the tent. The multiple holes of different sizes makes it convenient when orienting your gear during initial setup of the tent.
Tent Unboxing and Setup
Right out of the box the tent is easy to setup. Assembly didn’t require any special tools and the poles that make up the framework snap together with built-in steel buttons. Plastic elbows join the upper and lower sections together at the corners and mid-section of the framework.
After assembling the framework, it was time to slip the tent fabric over it. This was definitely the most difficult part of the whole process since the cover is large and fairly heavy, which makes it tricky to manipulate. If you purchase one of these tents, I suggest enlisting the help of a friend with this step.
After installing the cover the last step was the overflow reservoir. The reservoir is simply a rectangular box, made from the same fabric as the tent. In the event of an overflowing hydroponic system, or automatic watering malfunction, the reservoir is capable of holding 100 gallons of spilled water. If you live in an apartment like me, this feature certainly provides some peace of mind.
The Verdict
First off, let me say we definitely weren’t paid to do this review. We merely wanted to provide some insight for those of shopping for a tent. Having said that, this grow tent is a great investment for $250. The tent is durable, easy to setup, and has some great features.
After using it a bit I do have three suggestions that would improve the product. First, I wish the tent had come with some storage pockets. A few pockets stitched into the walls would be helpful for storing thermometers, notes, or other necessary items. Second, I would add a viewing windows to allow a peek at the grow without actually opening the tent itself. Finally, it would help a bit if the zippers were double sided so you can zip and unzip the doors from the inside or outside.
While it may not have all the bells and whistles, the Apollo Horticulture grow tent is a great buy for the money. On a 1 to 5 scale, I’d give this tent 4 out of 5 stars. I’d recommend this tent to anyone getting started with indoor growing and I’d certainly buy one again if needed.
Apollo Horticulture’s Mylar Hydroponic Grow Tent for Indoor Growing,
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