Hanging Mylar Box (tent) Using Cheap PVC

[Harry Red]

I came up with a really cheap way to make a suspended mylar box thjat will surround my plants.

I took four 10 foot long 1 inch diameter PVC tubing ($1.50) and cut them in half, giving me eight 5 foot pieces. I then cut the mylar into 8 foot sheets, folded and taped the ends to create a sheath that the PVC can slide through (just like a curtain and a curtain-rod). I did this on the top, as well as the bottom, so the weight of the PVC on the bottom would keep the mylar hanging straight. Created four of these. One for each side of the box.



I then just used coat hangers to suspend each side. I plan on eventually using his as a flowering room. It turned out to be around 4.5 x 4.5 area, but it could be easily expanded by adding more sections.

This is the completed box, shot from the outside, with lowlight settings on the camera.




The plants through the opaque mylar.



It looks like it's gonna work pretty well and as a side benefit, it produces and trippy water lighting effect on the walls of the main room when the fan ripples the mylar.

The entire box cost $25.00. :-)

Any comments or suggestions for improvement is welcomed!!

[FreakNature]

Great ingenuity! PVC is a good building material for things like this.

You'll (obviously) want to make sure there are no light leaks if you use it for flowering.

[Harry Red]

Thanks FreakNature! It works well for my purposes.

You can bring the sides in on the top and get more of a tent shape, which will give better light coverage.

Since this box/tent is in a dark, cool basement, I don't have to worry about light leaks. There is no light coming in down there. I happen to have a heat/air vent just above it to help with temp control and I wanted it open at the top and bottom for good air flow.

I guess with a little more care an effort, you could use black/white or panda film and button it up.

I do plan on using another corner of that basement for a veg room, so all I have to worry about is the two outer sides. I can handle that by tacking thick black/white poly from floor to ceiling and not bother with PVC.