Reddit reviews Hydrofarm ABWP1 Black & White Poly, 10' x 10', 5.5 mil, 5-1/2 mm

You can build one fairly cheaply. Best part about it is that you can design it yourself and build it to the size you want. PVC from Lowes, Panda Film and Gorilla Tape works well.

Panda film is the best DIY tent material, no question. White side reflects light back at plants, black side blocks out light.

https://www.amazon.ca/Hydrofarm-ABWP1-Black-Polymer-10-Feet/dp/B004WI44LM

Those reflective heat blankets are shit. Dont waste your time and money with these.

Instead of fabric you could try panda film

Thanks, the idea just popped into my head. My girlfriend helped me wrap it. She wrapped it like a present. the shelf from Home Depot DuroLux DL822N T5 HO 2Ft 2 Fluorescent Lamps Grow Lighting System with 5000 Lumens and 6500K Full Spectrum and Low Profile 7" Wide Reflector https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0721TG86M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_BopMBb3AMYVFR
Hydrofarm ABWP1 Black and White Polymer, 5-1/2 mm/10' x 10' https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004WI44LM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_7opMBbEPVJ9EY
And some black duct tape to help blend everything in. A little work, with a lot of satisfaction.

Edit: we used velcro for a separate door

The light in the picture is just a bright LED light in a basic desk lamp fixture. It's not the light I plan to use. The light I will use is this 36 inch T5 fixture/light combo that I bought on amazon, but it hasn't arrived yet so I don't know how good it will be just yet. To turn the shelf into a tent I just bought this stuff for $15 and attached it with lots of duct tape. I used one single piece for the bottom, top, and 3 sides, and another piece for the door. And then I cut a hole in the door to use as a small access window so that I can keep the door sealed.

I plan to start with 1 light and buy more as I need them. The top part of my shelf will be used for seed starting and small to medium sizes seedlings and the bottom can support pretty tall plants.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004WI44LM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I got the plant bug back in the summer when I decided to buy an aloe, and then some succulents and cacti for my office desk.

I had purchased a 6w LED desk lamp from Amazon but wanted to try something bigger.

The box I've built was made using a cheap white plastic rack from the hardware store, a 5m LED strip, black white polymer, and industrial Velcro tape (15 feet)

LED Strip ($29)
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B004WI44LM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Black-white polymer ($14)
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B004WI44LM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Velcro tape ($50)
http://canada.michaels.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-MichaelsCanada-Site/en_CA/Product-Show?pid=M10354418


After I assembled the rack I put zip ties along under side of each shelf and then looped the LED strip from the plug end, up the side, over the top to the other side - and had enough so that each level (except for the bottom) has light shining from the sides and above.

This took some gentle twisting and securing with zip ties through the plastic cover to get the strip facing inward on all sides.

To cover the rack, i measured out enough polymer sheet to cover the sides and back while remaining somewhat taught. A 10 x 10 sheet of plastic is annoying to work with, and was shipped folded, so there are still some creases. and I didn't do a precise job of cutting.
The plastic however is quite durable and won't tear when you're unfolding it and stretching it out.

I chose the black-white polymer or "panda plastic" after reading recommended low cost options for reflecting light.

A top and door flap were cut as separate pieces . I was left with plenty of sheet left over after cutting what I needed.


As I wanted the plastic to last and be able to easily deconstruct the box, I bought Velcro tape for applying it to the rack. This was the most expensive item, but I feel it was worth it. Still some left over after using what was needed to make the box light proof. There is a small spot along the bottom and side where some light escapes.

The light strip is connected to a timer so it runs 14 hours a day. From what I could find out, the strip is 72 watts , so the cost of running it is minimal. The strip does get quite warm , but not alarmingly hot.

After a week it appears to be maintaining my succulents and cacti, - especially with a sempervivum that had begun to bloom in my window (which I thought was cool because it's winter and the light is minimal).

I'm hoping that a kalanchoe cutting I have in there on the middle shelf will start to grow more evenly than it has at my desk. It really leaned towards the desk lamp.

The tray in the second shelf has recycled k cups with cucumber and cherry tomato seeds. I thought I would try to use them as seed pots. Today it appeared that a few of the seeds have sprouted.

The bottom shelf is a tomato and basil kit I got from the grocery store.

One of my plans is to swap the plants in the taller ceramic pots into smaller clay ones. It would make more sense to have the pots around the same height. Since planting them in those, I've learned that size isn't really necessary.


I've also considered making a carbon generator (saw a tutorial using yeast and sugar), but I'm not sure what benefit it would have given that the box is not airtight.

Were I to change something , I would re cut the polymer and make it one piece that goes over the rack, then cut out a door flap.

I use poly film

First off I would get some black or aluminum tape around your container, light hitting your roots will kill your plant.

For the back get some Panda Film or Mylar

Watering Every Day is not very normal how far down is it feeling dry. I normally stick my whole pointer finger in and if its moist/wet still I will wait another day and check again.

I did a grow with my buddy a few years ago, this time I had some plywood and bought 2 rolls of this poly stuff off amazon and kinda built a tent on the cheap haha.

Nuggs lookin good.

IMO you are better off with a thick cardboard box and some panda film. https://www.amazon.ca/Hydrofarm-ABWP1-Black-Polymer-10-Feetx10-Feet/dp/B004WI44LM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1486602540&sr=8-1&keywords=panda+film IF you are running LED's.

Very nice set-up! I use almost the same thing but kick them out to a greenhouse once it warms up (I'm in Southern Ontario so we have nearly the same weather you would have.)

Also, just a suggestion:
You could buy some Mylar that is black on one side and white on the other to wrap around the shelf. I use it to keep the light from spilling out and reflect it back on to the plants.

Cant just staple this stuff at the top of the box and let it hang infront of the foam? You will get the best of both worlds

http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-ABWP1-Black-White-Polymer/dp/B004WI44LM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1415555993&sr=8-1&keywords=panda+film