How dark does it really need to be

[Canuck3]

My tent (vivosun) is in my basement, there is a window behind my tent. My 12/12 cycle is 10am-10pm, so there may be a few hours in the morning that the basement has some dim light from the window.
If the tent is zipped close, is this dim light through the lower mesh vents enough to throw off the plants? Have any of you experienced successful grows without true black darkness during lights out? What about full moons and outdoor crops?

I will be building some sort of box around each vent so the light would have to take a corner before reaching inside the tent, but I'm just asking this question so I know if I need to be this anal or not with future grows.

Thanks all

 

[Rurumo]

Most likely, the vents are fine, but I don't like to risk it. There are two easy options that I've utilized. One, you can buy sheets of carbon furnace filter and just cut it to size and tape it in place over the mesh. This is nifty because it not only blocks out most light but it also keeps the dust out. Another option is to cut a piece of cardboard and tape it in place under the "flap" angled against the floor so there is some space between it and the vent-this just blocks direct light, which is enough. You can get as crazy with it as you want, some people make little boxes with kind of a light maze inside. I also use the 8" duct hole at the bottom for more passive intake and run ducting at a 90% angle and cover the end with pantyhose. I've also used some pantyhose material cut to fit and tapes it over the vents too, just to help keep out dust and dog hair. Works like a charm! Good luck

 

[Soul Dwella]

I use the mesh vent thats against the wall/back of tent. Pitch black in the tent even when room is fully lit with sun and ceiling light.

 

[Canuck3]

Most likely, the vents are fine, but I don't like to risk it. There are two easy options that I've utilized. One, you can buy sheets of carbon furnace filter and just cut it to size and tape it in place over the mesh. This is nifty because it not only blocks out most light but it also keeps the dust out. Another option is to cut a piece of cardboard and tape it in place under the "flap" angled against the floor so there is some space between it and the vent-this just blocks direct light, which is enough. You can get as crazy with it as you want, some people make little boxes with kind of a light maze inside. I also use the 8" duct hole at the bottom for more passive intake and run ducting at a 90% angle and cover the end with pantyhose. I've also used some pantyhose material cut to fit and tapes it over the vents too, just to help keep out dust and dog hair. Works like a charm! Good luck

Some excellent ideas Rurumo thank you! Do you buy an actual box filter (like 3M filtrete brand etc)? Or can you buy a sheet of carbon?
Does this put any extra stress on the exhaust fan?

 

[Canuck3]

I use the mesh vent thats against the wall/back of tent. Pitch black in the tent even when room is fully lit with sun and ceiling light.

I haven't actually gone in the tent during lights out to test it, but I will tonight! That would be sweet if it's pitch black with no mods needed!

 

[PadawanWarrior]

Most likely, the vents are fine, but I don't like to risk it. There are two easy options that I've utilized. One, you can buy sheets of carbon furnace filter and just cut it to size and tape it in place over the mesh. This is nifty because it not only blocks out most light but it also keeps the dust out. Another option is to cut a piece of cardboard and tape it in place under the "flap" angled against the floor so there is some space between it and the vent-this just blocks direct light, which is enough. You can get as crazy with it as you want, some people make little boxes with kind of a light maze inside. I also use the 8" duct hole at the bottom for more passive intake and run ducting at a 90% angle and cover the end with pantyhose. I've also used some pantyhose material cut to fit and tapes it over the vents too, just to help keep out dust and dog hair. Works like a charm! Good luck

Dust Shrooms work better than pantyhose.

Some excellent ideas Rurumo thank you! Do you buy an actual box filter (like 3M filtrete brand etc)? Or can you buy a sheet of carbon?
Does this put any extra stress on the exhaust fan?

Yes, the harder you make them work the more stress. But most fans can take quite a bit of abuse.

I don't use those vents. I run an active intake with a Dust Shroom on my areas. I turned my 2x4 tent upside down to make it work. The Gorilla tents have plenty of ports, so I won't have to turn that one upside down.

Here's the upside down 2x4 intake for the veg tent. I actually have positive pressure in there, so I have a little more room than normal.

 

[BucketGrower]

I always went by the thought of : If it's brighter than a full moon, it's too much light.

 

[Canuck3]

Thanks guys! Much appreciated!