How to Waterproof Your Grow Tent Like a Pro?
Any garden warrior can attest that growing plants indoor is not easy. Grow tents are a great way to provide the right conditions for your lovely plants inside your home. However many people had problems with leaking grow tents. Are grow tents waterproof?
Pricier, better designed grow tents are waterproof. They are made of waterproof materials that prevent leaking. Ideal grow tent will have a reflective layer of Mylar, a Polyester canvas as an outer layer. Both of these should be waterproof if designed well.
Most grow tents are not 100% waterproof. However manufacturers offer accessories that can turn your grow tent waterproof.
When is it crucial to have a waterproof grow tent? Maybe you want to install the grow tent in a room with hardwood floor. Or you are living on the third floor of an apartment building.
It is never fun to be woken up in the middle of the night by your bottom neighbour, because your grow tent is leaking and it turned their apartment into a damp. In some cases you can have pretty serious mold breakouts from leaking grow tents.
Tips to waterproof your grow tent fast
If you want to waterproof a grow tent:
- Add waterproof liner to the floor.
- Seal seams and repair any gaps on the bottom of the tent.
- Install a great ventilation system to prevent excess moisture buildup.
Of course there are differences between the makeup of grow tents with a large number of different companies producing for the market. The waterproof qualities of a grow tent depends on the specific materials and the design of the tent. With additional accessories you can greatly increase the waterproof qualities of the tent.
Of course you can always put down a tarp or a plastic pan under your grow tent. However you need a solution to deal with any leakage that might occur.
There are two ways you can go with grow tents:
- Buy a pricier one with a waterproof floor liner.
- Get a plastic tray or tarp to put under your tent.
Grow tent waterproofing tips
With any grow tent, manufacturers have to juggle a number of factors to offer the best possible product:
- Manufacturing costs.
- Effectiveness.
- Waterproofness
- Durability
Are nylon or polyester grow tents more waterproof?
The outside of most grow tents is covered with nylon or polyester. Nylon is a highly durable material with high tear strength. Nylon is 1.4 times as strong as a polyester canvas. However its waterproofing ability is highly questionable. The moment nylon contacts water, it becomes wavy. Not only does it look bad, but it also destroys the waterproofing of the grow tent.
If your waterproof grow tent has a nylon outer layer, I suggest putting a tub under it.
Polyester covered grow tents are completely waterproof. They are less sturdy. But face it, do you really need that much durability in a grow tent? Most likely you will not move it around much. In my opinion prioritise polyester tents for their waterproof quality.
What is the difference: waterproof vs water resistant grow tents?
The difference between waterproof and water resistant grow tents is in how long the material can withstand exposure to water. A water resistant tent can start leaking a lot sooner. Waterproof grow tents are expected to withstand any amount of water that gets produced inside the tent.
Which is better: 300D vs 2000D Grow Tent?
There are a large number of polyester canvas tents available on the market. You can usually find 300D, 600D, 1680 D and 2000D polyester grow tents. Of course there is a difference in price as well. The real question is: is it worth paying the extra for a 2000D polyester waterproof grow tent? Is it more waterproof than a 300D waterproof grow tent?
In reality polyester canvas grow tents are waterproof, no matter how thick the material is.
The thickness doesn’t really add waterproofness, a 300D material should already be totally waterproof.
Should you put a tray under your grow tent?
I see people asking on Reddit whether they should get a waterproof tray for their grow tent.
You should always get a waterproof tray under the grow tent no matter how thick the polyester covering is. A lot of problems can be avoided by adding that extra safety layer between the grow tent and the floor. Imagine your tent getting damaged, or a loose clamp in the water lines of the hydroponics system. You are immediately left with leakage outside the tent and all over your apartment.
Excess water can accumulate in the plant saucer. If you don’t take the water out in time, it can result in leakage. Imagine
Recommended Products
If you are looking for waterproof grow tents, you can choose from any of the below 3 options. They are all with a 4.5 or higher rating on amazon.
How to waterproof a grow tent?
When trying to prevent leakage from a grow tent, you can go about it in two ways:
- Make sure less water is inside the tent. Basically the less water there is, the less it can leak.
- Increase the waterproof capabilities of the tent.
When you are waterproofing a grow tent, you are essentially creating a barrier that prevents moisture from entering or escaping the tent. Here are the most efficient ways to do that:
- Put a tarp under the tent. Choose a thick enough tarp, you can use a regular tent tarp over 5000 mm HH. Slightly curl up the sides of the tarp so even if there is leakage, the water will pool up.
- Put a plastic pool under the tent. If the tent leaks, the water will simply pool up inside the tent.
- Seam seal the bottom of the tent. You can use any regular seam sealer. For example the Gear Aid Seam Sealer does an excellent job for only $10.
Proper ventilation inside the tent is key. Great air circulation helps reduce the moisture levels inside. The less water can pool up, the less water can leak to the outside. Simple as that.
You should regularly inspect the outside of the grow tent for damages or any leaks. I like to make an inspection once every month. I clean the tent and do all the repairs needed.
