Well. Here’s the thing when you’re thinking about indoor lighting - I’m going to give you my basic rendition but also grab @dbrn32 because he’s the lights guy with a real understanding much deeper than my surface level grasp.
There are base numbers to aim for - usually they’re based on square footage. For example, 40 watts per square foot. So in a 4x4 tent, you’d want around 640 watts of light output in order to adequately supply your plants with the light to grow. Now, again not all light is created equal. Higher quality lights with more targeted lighting spectrums will probably reduce the watt/sq ft requirement. I think someone suggested an HLG light may only need 30-32 watts per square foot to be effective. In my 4x4 that could reduce my required lighting from 640 watts to 480-512 watts. But something that has low efficiency and high heat output is spending more energy on generating heat than light. I have a cheapo Bloomspect I paid like $100 for - allegedly it puts out 200 watts but I’m convinced a good 50 of that goes into warming up my tent instead of lighting my plants. So in that context I might need more like 60 watts per square foot, if I wanted to light up my entire tent with heaters instead of quality diodes. (Closer to 960 watts or 5 light fixtures - ouch - because I expect a quarter or more of that is lost to inefficiencies).
So think about the space you need to fill and what quality of light you want to fill it with. The 40w per square foot number is a good guide to have an idea for how much light you really need. I am of the opinion that it is better to oversupply and not need than to need and not be able to provide.
OOOOH! I SEE! That does make sense! And helps to clear up some of my confusion. (fortunately work is slow at the moment, hence my three posts in quick succession!) So the fact that the growing tent I’m looking to get is 3 feet long by a foot and a half wide by 5 feet tall. So long as I have the growing light down close to the couple of plants I’ll be growing in there.
Then perhaps the plants should do well with just the 200 watt growing light, it sounds like…if I getting all of this correctly, that is. Also yeah, hope you don’t mind @dbrn32 but as @Graysin mentioned what are your thoughts?
More or less. The plants respond to light energy, so it is really about getting to a recommended amount of that instead of power consumption. From there, some lights are just better at turning a watt into light than others.
Just wanted to second this^^
Still fairly new myself and this was hands down the best advise I got on lighting! Don’t fall for those cheap knock off brands on Amazon, get the real deal. I got and returned one because the lights did not actually turn off completely. Been VERY happy with my HLG
Hey everyone, I apologize for going silent for the past several days! A lot has been happening on my end, but that being said, I’m getting the clue that HLG lights are far better to go with. So I’m definitely looking into those today! I’ll likely be replying back later today with more questions about those!
In the mean time my “Pot for a Pot” order arrived, as well as my Cloud Lite fan, and my carbon filter. So thank you for the recommendations on those @Graysin and @beardless !!
Though now in addition another couple items I need to buy and don’t know what types are the clamps, hinges, and exhaust tubing (or something like that) to keep the fan and carbon filter connected to each other. I may not saying those items correctly, but I could definitely use advice on what types to get of those as well!
The exhaust tubing like one shown in @beardless photo, that’s connected between the fan and the wall!
Also, thanks @Alexa ! What model of HLG do you have? If you don’t mind me asking.
AC Infinity is very thoughtful. At least with both of my fans the Co. included a 6" hose clamp. Using a clamp makes it easy to undo to be able to move or replace components.
The silver flexible tubing between the fan and the wall is a Non Insulated Air Duct 6" diameter. It is readily available at the big box hardware stores. The hose clamps should be close by or in plumbing. (Usually both locations).
This from Hydrofarm - Active Air Duct. It includes two clamps
The hose clamps are not a necessity. You can also use duct tape to make the connection. Tape is a little less convenient if it needs to be undone.
This is the exhaust fan setup in my closet
Your filter may come with nylon straps to hang it with too. If not, try to find appropriate length bungee cords to support fan and filter.
Your tent is not traditional size and pretty much between sizes for current offerings from hlg. I would like to see you get into qb 260 kit and run at reduced power. But you could do a 135 kit or Diablo 200 and always add another later if you want. Not sure how handy you are but I built the light for my tent. Is not very difficult at all for those with basic skills.
It is not at all difficult for those of us without basic skills, either. I still barely remember the difference between my live and neutral wire coloring.
Their paper assembly guide needs some help but there’s YouTube assembly videos that make it a breeze.
I’m sorry about going silent again for so many days, I’ve been working through a few projects at the same time. But as far as getting the growing tents items purchased, I just bought the HLG 200 Diablo, I was considering going with the HLG 100V2, but I had purchased a slightly larger tent. So I wanted to make certain that the plant received enough light!
@Alexa, thank you for showing me your lighting and tent setup! It definitely helps me get a clearer picture of how everyone’s growing tents are set and with which items! So that I can successfully get mine setup!! Also I see you have a fan in your tent. What was it that the fan helps with?
@beardless. thanks for including the picture of the air ducting you recommended! I’m ordering an 8 foot type of version!
@Graysin, thanks for that recommendation on the HLG 200 Diablo and also for the discount code, that was extremely useful!!
So, besides keeping the air from becoming stagnant or getting hot pockets it is beneficial in building stem strength. Just as there is a breeze in nature, it gently bends the stems making them stronger. Also, helps deters against mold, pest, and white powdery mildew (WPM).
I actually have 2 in there, just can’t see the other
@Alexa Wow! Good to know! Thank you for the heads up on that! I actually have desk fan that I haven’t been using, so I’ll use it for this!
Also my HLG lights just arrived earlier today and so I’m finally getting my “tent garden” grow tent fully assembled. Yesterday I finished putting the tent itself together, And, WOW, I really bought an odd sized grow tent.
It’s so narrow in width, but overall I think it should work out fine!
Again I’m grateful for all the advice everyone here has been providing. Today I’m finally going to plant the seeds I received from “I heart G M”!!
Also yeah, hope you don’t mind 
Hello & Welcome to the forum.
