DIY Tents - Materials for Tent? Materials for Frame? Or just buy one... DIY worth it?

2x2s or 2x4s work well for an easy frame. I would highly suggest using panda film (black and white poly). You can find it at most hydro stores for pretty cheap, for me it's $10 for every 10x10' length. It's light proof and black on one side and reflective white on the other.

I'm all about DIY but if you purchase a cheap tent it will likely be about on par with price. A cheap 4x4x6.5' tent is $90 and comes with the frame, much thicker tent than panda film, precut vents, double tarp on the bottom... Now if you went with 2x4s ($30), panda film ($30), zipper ($5), you might save just a tad but not a whole ton; with PVC it would be considerably more. Of course if you have a weird shaped space go panda film all the way. I have three cheap tents and two DIY tents and personally I like the ebay ones. They all work just as well but the premade tents are just more convenient.

Used 2 x 2 timber to form the corners and 6 x 2 to hold them together at the bottom. Timber is easier to work with as you dont have to get specific types of connectors. Just cut and screw together. Its also easier to ad support for fans, lights etc. to after.
Mylar would be the best thing to get for the walls as its reflective. All you have to do is staple it at the corners on the 2 x 2

Hate to contradict stoner paddy but mylar is see through without a backing. If you go the mylar route you'll want firm solid walls to mount it to. Could always build it out of foam sheets and then mount mylar to the sheets.
Light in reflector:


Light with a piece of white paper on top:


Light with a sheet of mylar with no backing (double thick mylar):


mylar with the same sheet of paper backing it:

Yeah... sometimes DIY just isn't worth it. I'm fortunate enough to be able to afford what I want for the most part... just don't want to be stupid with that hard earned cash!

So on the "eBay" tents thing... What differentiates them from the big boys like Secret Jardin or GrowBox? And should I really be overly concerned with PVC frame versus Metal frame?

I just spoke with someone who mentioned that galvanized pipe/fence actually has properties that kill vegetation... i.e. they mentioned how new galvanized fencing doesn't have weeds growing up due to something in the metal treatment leeching and killing weeds... Dunno about the accuracy of that statement but it seems very plausible.

Anyone able to make reccomendation on these "knock off" tents you see online?

When using wood for frame - do you treat it with anything? I.e. weatherproofing like a deck?

I was worried that the wood would get moisture problems... but hell yeah... FAR easier to work with as far as making your corners, etc... PVC isn't hard to work with either though - so long as you have the right fittings.

If I do a wood-based frame, I'd likely make the walls out of 3/4" styrofoam and line that with Panda film (mylar is too easy to tear for my taste from what I hear). That and with a more rigid wall, I won't have as much trouble with negative pressure 'sucking in' the walls I'd imagine. I'd also probably be more likely to achieve a 'sealed' tent for use with CO2... Right?

depending on what size buying one can be good. i got a small 1.5'x2'x3' tent for around 75 dollars. and its pretty nice. it was a lighthouse hydro tent and my plants are doing pretty good non dying or anything like that

Powder coated and galvanized metal will not leach anything into the atmosphere - I want to assume the guy that made that statement was referring to some type of plastic - some plastics will off gas.

The difference between the cheapo tents and the more expensive ones are mostly the supports and number of vents. Ebay tents have cheap pot metal supports - they work great for holding the tent up and I've never had problems hanging my lights and small filters but I wouldn't recommend hanging larger filters or too much other gear from them. I wouldn't recommend leaning on the tent either Some of the more expensive tents have legitimate supports that you can hang yourself from without any problems. Vent placement, size, and number also can make a difference but many of the cheaper tents are now adding all types of vents.

As for wood - it would probably best to coat it in a moisture proof white paint/sealer but I used straight untreated 2x4s in one of my tents without any problem.

You can make a pretty sealed tent with panda film as long as you make as few cut as possible, tape up the staple holes, and tape up the sides real well.

mylar-diamond.jpgDSCF2080.jpg

New Mylar on sale on ebay especially for grow rooms. Got it for new grow and had the panda film. It is about 3 times the price but seems worth it