How to Lower Humidity in Grow Tent With/Without Dehumidifier
As indoor gardeners, we all know that maintaining optimal humidity levels within the grow tent is crucial for the health and growth of plants. Excessive humidity can result in various deleterious effects, such as moldy weed, pest invasion, etc., so how to lower humidity in grow tent became a common issue.
Are you still bothered by the excessive humidity? Here is a guideline about how to lower humidity in a grow tent with a dehumidifier or not. Let's check it out.
Why Should I Lower the Humidity in My Grow Tent
Elevated humidity levels in a grow tent can greatly damage plant health and restrict growth. The following are the results of too much moisture in the air.
Fungal Growth: Mold and Midew like a moist environment. Excessive humidity provides a favorable environment for their growth. These molds will not only harm one of your plants but will spread quickly to all your plants.
Root Rot: Excessive humidity can lead to soil becoming waterlogged, creating an environment where roots are unable to access the essential oxygen they require. This lack of oxygen can cause the condition known as root rot.
Pest Infestations: Humid air also attracts pests like spider mites, aphids, and whiteflies. Plants that these pests have eaten are likely to have restricted growth and reduced yields.
The Ideal Humidity for Each Cultivation Stage
Plants need different humidity levels at various stages of their lifecycle to thrive in an indoor environment. Here's a general guideline for optimal humidity levels during different growth stages:
Seeding stage: 65-75% humidity—Young plants require high humidity to support strong root development during this phase.
Vegetative stage: 50-70% humidity—As plants transition to the vegetative stage, gradually lower humidity to promote stronger growth and reduce the risk of mold and mildew.
Flowering stage: 40-50% humidity—Maintain lower humidity during the flowering stage to prevent bud rot and other humidity-related issues.
How to Lower Humidity in Grow Tent With Dehumidifier
A dehumidifier is an air conditioning device that reduces and maintains the level of humidity in the air by extracting water from the air. Not all tents need to have a dehumidifier installed, but if your plants are densely packed in a small grow tent with bad ventilation, then investing in a dehumidifier can be an excellent decision.
How to Lower Humidity in Grow Tent Without Dehumidifier
Several methods exist to keep humidity down in grow tents, with a dehumidifier being popular. However, more effective or cost-effective options are also available. The following guide will tell you how to lower humidity in grow tents without a dehumidifier.
Setup Inline Fan
Adding inline fans is an effective way to increase airflow in your grow tent and lower humidity, which removes hot air and excess moisture and brings in fresh air to keep the temperature and humidity inside the tent at a proper and stable level.
If you're not sure which fan to choose, then check out the Mars Hydro ventilation fan series!
Mars Hydro delivers premium ventilation equipment, offering an intelligent cooling and filtration system tailored for your grow tent. Effectively managing and purifying airflow, it regulates the climate within your grow room.
Mars Hydro ventilation fan series offers three controllers and a range of combinations at various price points to cater to the diverse needs of our customers. You can select the option that best suits your current requirements.
Improve Ventilation
If you are on a very good budget, then you can install an air conditioner in your tent. Air conditioning can effectively reduce the temperature and humidity to create a more comfortable environment for plants to grow.
If the budget is not enough, you can also add air vents in your grow tent to regulate airflow. Be careful not to open the holes too large or face the light source, just to avoid light leaks.
Reduce Planting Density
Excessive plant density is also a cause of high humidity in tents. Plants release water from the soil into the air through transpiration, and dense foliage can inhibit proper ventilation.
In this case, you may want to consider reducing the density of the planting. This involves decreasing the number of plants and ensuring they are spaced adequately within the grow tent. The appropriate plant spacing depends on the type of plants you're growing, their growth patterns, and the size of your grow tent. Here's a general guideline:
Small Plants: 6-12 inches apart. These plants are compact and can be grown closer together, typically allowing 4-9 plants per square foot.
Medium Plants: 12-18 inches apart. These plants need a bit more room to grow, with 1-2 plants per square foot.
Large Plants: 18-24 inches apart. Larger plants require more space, usually 1 plant per square foot or slightly less.
Prune the Leaves
If adjustments are not possible within a short period, then you may also choose to trim the foliage of the plant to reduce transpiration. Cut back large, old leaves with garden shears to reduce transpiration and carbon dioxide release. Regularly pruning and training your plants can also improve airflow and reduce the risk of mold and mildew growth.
Reduce Watering Frequency & Volume
Proper watering techniques play a crucial role in controlling humidity levels in a grow tent. By carefully adjusting both the frequency and volume of watering, growers can effectively prevent the buildup of excessive moisture. It's essential to strike the balance—ensuring that plants receive sufficient water, while also preventing soil waterlogging.
Optimize Lighting
The choice of grow lights can impact the temperature inside the grow tent and, consequently, the humidity levels. Warm air holds more moisture, so when the air inside a grow tent is heated, it can absorb additional moisture from both the plants and the soil. This increase in moisture absorption results in a jump in the humidity level inside the grow tent.
Mars Hydro's full-spectrum LED grow lights are expertly designed for indoor gardening, incorporating advanced cooling systems and heat sinks that effectively manage heat dissipation. This ensures that the temperature remains at optimal levels for plant growth, eliminating concerns about elevated humidity levels in your grow tent when using these lights.
Choose Mars Hydro's full-spectrum LED grow lights and elevate your indoor gardening experience.
Remove Stagnant Water
Removing stagnant water from your grow tent is essential for controlling humidity. Pools of excess water can promote the growth of bacteria, fungi, mildew, and mold, which can significantly raise humidity levels. If you find stagnant water in your tent, make sure to eliminate it promptly to avoid any potential issues.
Utilize Absorbent Soil
Absorbent soil can also help reduce humidity levels in your grow tent. Opt for soil with good water retention properties, like sandy soil, which minimizes evaporation and surface water buildup. You can also add soil amendments such as perlite, or use lime or baking soda, which offer similar benefits to sandy soil.
Conclusion
These are some of the most common ways to lower humidity in grow tents, including installing a dehumidifier, optimizing lighting, and improving ventilation. If the problem persists, feel free to leave a message in the comments section!
