Ah, it's finally arrived...

[rps]

Well done, Ryan. Forums are great for sharing ( and comparing) ideas, but it's heartening to see the results when someone follows through (with actual practice).

I've an equally tall set up with a much smaller base (36x42, give or take). Like you, I was bothered by the 'wasted' upper area, until (after 2 years of staring at it) I realized I could turn the bulking monolith on its side for a 36x72 base + 42 height. Now, I have surface area to spare --- well, almost.

Flying a couple of 'big boy' 200w CFLs --- both the ficus & yours truly are pleased with the results. They get a bit warmer than my straight T5s, but not to the point that they make me nervous. I zip-tied a fan at one end, as much for pest and fungus control as temperature --- but mainly because I'm into overkill.
http://sunblasterlighting.com/125-200-watt-cfl-lamp.php

LED list price will drop with time. Once their cost is on par with T5s & CFLs, I'll (try to) find a corner for another tent to compare the technologies. First hand empirical study is my preferred approach; however, time, space and filthy lucre often compromise my intended scientific endeavours.

I trust your lights are on a timer? How many hours of light are you giving your trees daily?

 

[Redwood Ryan]

Well done, Ryan. Forums are great for sharing ( and comparing) ideas, but it's heartening to see the results when someone follows through (with actual practice).

I've an equally tall set up with a much smaller base (36x42, give or take). Like you, I was bothered by the 'wasted' upper area, until (after 2 years of staring at it) I realized I could turn the bulking monolith on its side for a 36x72 base + 42 height. Now, I have surface area to spare --- well, almost.

Flying a couple of 'big boy' 200w CFLs --- both the ficus & yours truly are pleased with the results. They get a bit warmer than my straight T5s, but not to the point that they make me nervous. I zip-tied a fan at one end, as much for pest and fungus control as temperature --- but mainly because I'm into overkill.
http://sunblasterlighting.com/125-200-watt-cfl-lamp.php

LED list price will drop with time. Once their cost is on par with T5s & CFLs, I'll (try to) find a corner for another tent to compare the technologies. First hand empirical study is my preferred approach; however, time, space and filthy lucre often compromise my intended scientific endeavours.

I trust your lights are on a timer? How many hours of light are you giving your trees daily?

Thanks! I'd turn this thing on its side, but it's 78" all around

I do have my lights on timers. They cut on at 8 in the morning and turn off at 11 at night.

 

[Redwood Ryan]

Red leaves are always nice:

 

[Redwood Ryan]

Well, I was in the process of relocating this tent, and upon stretching the canvas over the frame, it ripped. RIP to this tent. Back to square one.

 

[JudyB]

Will the supplier take it back? I hope so, if not then maybe use some of that aluminum tape on both sides, it's pretty good at seaming things like this....

 

[tmmason10]

Well that was quick! I think it's your best bet though, save up for a new one.

 

[Redwood Ryan]

See, this is the second shell they sent me. The zippers were broke on the first, so they sent me another. My Dad and brother thought they could fit the canvas around the frame while I was at the hydro store and ended up breaking the zipper. So this was basically a big waste. I may cut the tent up a since I have two and use them on just a wooden frame.

 

[JudyB]

I would still see if they will send you another. Not your fault the first one was broken, and the second one ripped...

 

[Redwood Ryan]

I would still see if they will send you another. Not your fault the first one was broken, and the second one ripped...

Well it was mostly my fault that it ripped, and they've already sent me two, so I'd feel guilty asking for another.

 

[Redwood Ryan]

I whipped this up today using 2 x 3's. A nice frame for the lights. My trees are now in the basement that can get cold, so I'll have to surround it with something this week to keep the heat in.

 

[JudyB]

Looks good, why dont you do a plexi, or solex panel cover, and adhesive your reflective material onto the interior or those panels?

 

[Redwood Ryan]

Looks good, why dont you do a plexi, or solex panel cover, and adhesive your reflective material onto the interior or those panels?

I could, but plexi to cover this would be rather expensive, and I don't have enough experience in attaching plexi to wood.

 

[Redwood Ryan]

Well done, Ryan. Forums are great for sharing ( and comparing) ideas, but it's heartening to see the results when someone follows through (with actual practice).

I've an equally tall set up with a much smaller base (36x42, give or take). Like you, I was bothered by the 'wasted' upper area, until (after 2 years of staring at it) I realized I could turn the bulking monolith on its side for a 36x72 base + 42 height. Now, I have surface area to spare --- well, almost.

Flying a couple of 'big boy' 200w CFLs --- both the ficus & yours truly are pleased with the results. They get a bit warmer than my straight T5s, but not to the point that they make me nervous. I zip-tied a fan at one end, as much for pest and fungus control as temperature --- but mainly because I'm into overkill.
http://sunblasterlighting.com/125-200-watt-cfl-lamp.php

LED list price will drop with time. Once their cost is on par with T5s & CFLs, I'll (try to) find a corner for another tent to compare the technologies. First hand empirical study is my preferred approach; however, time, space and filthy lucre often compromise my intended scientific endeavours.

I trust your lights are on a timer? How many hours of light are you giving your trees daily?

Now that you mention this whole 'flip the tent on its side thing' I'm really considering it. If I get a 5x5x7 tent, I could flip it so that it's 7 feet long, 5 feet tall, and 5 feet wide...

 

[rps]

Now that you mention this whole 'flip the tent on its side thing' I'm really considering it. If I get a 5x5x7 tent, I could flip it so that it's 7 feet long, 5 feet tall, and 5 feet wide...

it certainly worked for me --- just a big embarrassed it took me two years to figure if out.

as you know, those tents can be a bit fickle around the seams. not sure just how bad the rip you're dealing with is, but this stuff is magic....

http://www.gorillatough.com/index.php?page=gorilla-tape

 

[Redwood Ryan]

it certainly worked for me --- just a big embarrassed it took me two years to figure if out.

as you know, those tents can be a bit fickle around the seams. not sure just how bad the rip you're dealing with is, but this stuff is magic....

http://www.gorillatough.com/index.php?page=gorilla-tape

Well the zipper broke off and won't go back on, so that's a no go regardless. They're a great company, so I'll see what I can do about a smaller tent on its side.

 

[nathanbs]

I whipped this up today using 2 x 3's. A nice frame for the lights. My trees are now in the basement that can get cold, so I'll have to surround it with something this week to keep the heat in.

View attachment 45363
View attachment 45364
View attachment 45365
View attachment 45366

Even though they don't truly measure 2"x4" that's what they are still called for a minute I thought there was a new size of lumber

 

[Redwood Ryan]

Even though they don't truly measure 2"x4" that's what they are still called for a minute I thought there was a new size of lumber

Well the Lowes up the road from me has both 2x3's and 2x4's

 

[nathanbs]

Well the Lowes up the road from me has both 2x3's and 2x4's

Just for sake of curiosity what does your 2x3 measure as a 2x4 measures 1.5"x3.5". Just curious?

 

[Redwood Ryan]

Just for sake of curiosity what does your 2x3 measure as a 2x4 measures 1.5"x3.5". Just curious?

They measure 1.5x2.5.

 

[Redwood Ryan]

it certainly worked for me --- just a big embarrassed it took me two years to figure if out.

as you know, those tents can be a bit fickle around the seams. not sure just how bad the rip you're dealing with is, but this stuff is magic....

http://www.gorillatough.com/index.php?page=gorilla-tape

Something I didn't think about is the stability of the poles once on their side. Since they're 7 feet long and would be on their side instead of standing up, I would think that they would bow toward the ground...?