How to Set Up an Indoor Grow Kit

Figuring out how to set up an indoor grow kit for the first time can seem like a daunting task at first glance, as they include several major components.

Most indoor grow kits come with a tent or growing basin, light, exhaust, and other various pumps or components, and all those different components need connecting, attaching, hanging, and otherwise set up.

In this article, we break down how to set up an indoor grow kit as well as discuss our top pick for the best indoor grow kit to buy this year, and more.

Read on, discover everything you need to know about setting up an indoor grow kit indoors!

What is an Indoor Grow Kit?

Indoor grow kits are packages that contain all the parts and components necessary for setting up a grow tent or indoor hydroponic garden. The kits typically include a grow tent, light, exhaust, and other basic growing equipment like timers and thermometers.

However, when shopping for an indoor grow kit, you must be vigilant. Many so-called “complete” indoor grow kits are nothing more than a grow tent and light, with the possibility of an additional component or two.

That’s why it’s crucial to understand what you’re getting into with an indoor grow kit before you ever make your mind up on which one is best for you.

Components of a Complete Grow Kit

Lights

The lights are one of the most important components of any grow kit. Not only do their brightness levels matter, but so does their durability and overall functionality in general. Look carefully at the type of light that comes with any kit you consider buying, as it is often the light that needs upgrading. Avoid kits with no-name grow lights altogether.

Grow Tent

The grow tent is another big important factor when it comes to growing indoors. How thick or thin the material should depend on how much light, humidity, and smell you want the tent to hold in. Further, depending on the lights you use, the fabric of the tent may need to be heat resistant. All things considered, the thick and safer the tent’s material, the more expensive it is.

Exhaust

The exhaust is the third and final general component to many all-purpose “complete” grow kits, though most do include a few other extras(which we discuss in the following section). Exhaust systems for grow kits include everything from ducting to flanges, fans, and controllers. That said, not all grow tent operations 100-percent require an exhaust(but it doesn’t hurt to invest in a kit that includes one anyhow).

Misc

Other miscellaneous items are often added(and well should be) in kits that claim to be “complete” indoor grow kits. The most significant of these items include:

• Timer
• Thermometor
• Various filters
• Nutrients
• Seeds
• Growing basion
• Grow bags
• Misters
• Hoses and tubes
• Netting
• Back-up parts

How to Set Up An Indoor Grow Kit

1. Inspect Your New Indoor Grow Kit

The very first step is checking for damages and missing parts in your growing kit. If everything looks ok, and nothing is missing, move on to laying it all out.

Lay everything out to prepare for setting it up and double-check all the pieces against the list of parts in the manual or instructions. If you have parts missing, contact the seller or manufacturer.

Again, only move forward if everything checks out. Unfortunately, even if a single part is missing, it could void your warranty to move on without it.

2. Set Up the Tent

The grow tent is the first part of the kit to set up. Depending on the type, and style, most of them aren’t much different than setting up a camping tent. Simply connect the poles, and feed them through any connectors on the fabric.

Always follow the instructions that come with the kit or you may void the warranty!

3. Piece Together the Basic Ventalation

The next step in most indoor grow kit installations is laying out the ventilation assembly and giving it a good look-over. Take the time to match everything up and read the instructions again at this point.

Once you’re ready, put the ventilation together, and in place, following the manufacturer’s instructions.

4. Install Carbon Filter

Depending on the kit, you may or may not have a carbon filter to install yourself. If your kit does happen to come with a carbon filter, refer to the manufacturer instructions for the details as the exact process varies from model to model.

3. Hang the Lights

Hanging the lights comes only after the tent is up and the ventilation and filters are installed. Waiting to do so until now is important because it allows you to get the space-eating parts of the setup out of the way first.

In other words, it would be much hard to install the lights and try to work around them to put the filters and ducts in afterward. Again, follow the instruction manual that came with your kit or you may be voiding the guarantee.

Want to learn more about this step? Check out our post about Hanging LED Grow Lights!

4. Finish the Ventalation (Install Fan)

Speaking of voiding your warranty, pay extra attention to the installation of the fan, and any other electronic component for that matter.

Once in place, the fan should suck humidity and odor out, and pull fresh cool air back into the grow tent.

Incorrectly setting things up is not the fault of the manufacturer, and you may not be reimbursed or have parts replaced due to damages that may occur in this case.

5. Test Everything Before Moving On

This is a good point to stop, back up, and double-check everything. Test the lights, exhaust, fan, controllers if they are already installed, and anything else that is crucial to your indoor growing operation.

If everything is in working order, you’re ready to get on with it!

6. Move in the Soil, or Hydroponic Growing System

You’re basically done at this point, aside from moving in the containers of dirt or LECA that you plant to grow in. If you plan on growing hydroponically, now is the time to drag the system in and get it set up as well. If your kit didn’t come with a waterproof basin, and you plant to grow in soil, consider investing in one before moving forward.

7. Add Final Touches and Start Growing

With everything in place, it’s time to add any extra do-hickeys you may have in mind, such as extra lights, additional timers, temperature gauges, and what-have-you-not. After that, it’s time to start some seeds and get to growing!

Best Indoor Grow Kit for Beginner

Now that you know all about indoor grow kits, let’s talk about the actual kits currently available online, below.

Here are our picks for the best indoor grow kits for those just getting started with hydroponics at home and/or setting up their first indoor gardens:

Spider Farmer® SF1000 LED Grow Light+2’x2′ Grow Tent Kit

The Spider Farmer Grow Kits (with SF1000 LED Grow Light) comes with a 27-inch by 27-inch by 62-inch grow tent, 4-inch fan with speed controller, 4-inch carbon filter, Flex Air ducting, timer, grow bags, and much more.

Honestly? This is one of the most complete sets we’ve come across, for those who want to get EVERYTHING they need in one purchase.

In comparison to many similar-sized kits on the market, there is a really good reason that this one costs at least twice as much: everything included in the kit is genuinely high-quality.

Perhaps the greatest advantage to this grow kit for new indoor gardeners, in our opinion, is that it comes with a really incredible light; the SF1000 LED Grow Light.

Whats in the Box

Here’s what comes in the actual package when you order this Spider Farmer Grow Kit:

• Full Spectrum LED Grow Light
• Grow Tent
• Inline Duct Fan (with fan speed controller)
• Carbon filter
• Aluminum Ducting (with clips)
• Thermometer and Hygrometer
• Timer
• Large Grow Bags
• Trellis Netting
• Adjustable Rope/Clip Hanger

Light Specs

As mentioned above, the SPF1000 is an amazing light in our book. Spend 100w and get 1000w worth of brighter light than many brands put out while drawing a full 1000w.

The specs of the SPF1000 are(as listed on the manufacturer’s website):

• Energy efficiency (PAR/Watt): 2.7 umol/J
• Maximum yield: 2,5 grams/watt
• Spectrum: 660nm, 3000K, 5000K and IR 760nm
• Veg footprint: 3×3 feet
• Flowering footprint: 2×2 feet
• Lifespan: >50.000 hours
• Dimensions: 12.8”×11.4”×2.3”
• Net Weight: 2.77lbs
• Replace other red and blue light: 1000W 1200W
• Input Voltage: AC100-277V
• Amp: 0.82A @AC120V, 0.42A @AC240V, 0.37A @AC277V
• Draw power: 100.5W±5%@AC120V, 98.8W±5%@AC240V, 98.39W±5%@AC277V

Pros

The Spider Famer Grow Kit has quite a few advantages compared to other grow kits on the current market, here are just a few of the most significant ones:

1. Complete grow system, everything included
2. High-end materials made to last for years
3. Uses less power and produces larger yeilds
4. 100-percent reflective mylar (with a unique design)
5. Easy to set up and simple to use
6. Available in multiple sizes
7. Customer service and some form of coverage is included
8. HQ located in California, USA

Cons

Here’s what we expect some folks might not find so impressive about this indoor grow kit:

1. Costs more than some similarly sized grow kits

As far as we’re concerned, the math doesn’t lie(8 solid pros and only 1 significant con): the Spider Farmer SPF1000 Grow Kit seems well worth the potential investment.

(In fact, we’re so impressed that we’d love to get in touch with Spider Farmer, and review the product, up-close-and-personal, in the near future!)

Honorable Mentions

If you’re not as sold on this kit as we are, fear not. We’re not biased: we’ve included some great alternatives that may be even more affordable, below!

VIVOSUN Grow Tent Complete System

The VIVOSUN Grow Tent Complete System is our first honorable mention, and it is every bit as good a choice as Spider Farmer’s Grow Kit. As with the Spider Farmer kit, it has Samsung diodes, and a 2-feet by 2-feet tent made from much higher quality material than most tents are in other kits.

If we weren’t pressed on buying a Spider Farmer grow kit this year, we’d be recommending this one and buying it!

The light is nearly as powerful, and everything else seems to be right on par with the other higher-end grow kits like Spider Farmers. If anything, this kit may actually include a bit more than the kit we prefer.

What’s in the box:

• Tent
• Light
• Carbon filter
• Inline fan
• Rope hangers
• Netting
• Clamps
• Grow bags
• Temp and humidity monitors
• Shears
• Digital timer

BloomGrow 24”x24”x48” Grow Tent Kit

Another supposedly great grow kit is the BloomGrow 24×24 Grow Tent Kit. This one also includes everything you need to get started, including a tent, waterproof floor, full spec light, inline fan, ducting combo, light hangers, digital timer, shears, trellis, and more.

For those who are shopping on a tight budget, but don’t want to let that discourage them from setting up an indoor grow kit, this could be the one. It’s the most affordable on our list.

That said, it is likely the one that will last the least amount of time as well. You will definitely want to add additional lights right away if you want to optimize your harvests.

What’s in the box:

• LED light
• Inline fan filter and ducting combo
• Waterproof floor
• Grow light hangers and clips
• Digital timer and hygrometer
• Trellis netting
• Shears
• more

TopoGrow Grow Tent Complete Kit

The TopoGrow Grow Tent Complete Kit comes with all of the stuff you need to get started with a serious inside grow. That said, you can also expect to upgrade the light right away, as with the BloomGro kit.

For beginners, this kit, and the one mentioned previously, are excellent to get started with, but, both require major upgrades if you plan to get the most out of the space.

The tent itself is thinner than with many kits and may require a replacement within a few years as well.

What’s in the box:

• LED light
• Grow tent
• Exhasut
• Hanger
• Fan
• Timer
• Trellis
• more

FAQs

What Do You Need To Start Growing Indoors?

A complete indoor grow kit is all you need to get started if you buy a proper kit. Scroll up and check out the options we list(they are among the best on the market). Besides a complete kit, you may opt to individually buy the following parts; grow tent, grow basin, soil or growing medium, seeds, light, rigging, exhaust, fan, controller, timer, and more.

Is an Indoor Grow Kit Worth It?

If you have a passion for growing and want to try your hand at it, indoors, then it is absolutely worth it to consider investing in at least a beginner-level growing kit. Only you can be the judge to that question(so why not find out!?)

How Long Does it Take to Set Up a Grow Kit?

Many grow kits take less than several hours to set up, while others take as little as 15 or 20 minutes. The answer to this question all depends on the size and complexity of your grow kit. Small kits require an hour or less, medium size tents slightly longer. Large tents and commercial size kits may take multiple days to complete unless you have plenty of help.

How to Set Up an Indoor Grow Kit – A Final Word

Hopefully, now that you know how to set up an indoor grow kit, you have an easier time not just setting it up properly, but also picking the best one for you and your indoor gardening needs.

We recommend the Spider Famer Grow Kit due to its superior components and high-quality design in comparison to others of the same class.

For those working with a budget, the VIVOSUN Grow Kit isn’t too shabby either!

Do you have any left-over questions about how to set up an indoor grow kit? If so, let us know in the comments and we’ll do our best to get you an answer! Thanks for reading!

Suggested Reading: Hanging LED Grow Lights: Beginner’s Guide