A grow tent complete kit contains the tent, an LED lamp, an extractor fan with carbon filter and ducting, a circulation fan and a timer; to get started you also need pots, a growing medium, nutrients and meters for pH and humidity. As a rough guide, all the equipment costs CHF 400–1,000 for a 60x60 tent, CHF 500–1,250 for 80x80 and CHF 900–2,100 for 120x120. A ready-made kit is most worthwhile for a first grow, as long as the LED's real wattage and the fan's airflow suit the tent size.
In brief
- Basics: tent, LED, extractor fan with filter and ducting, circulation fan, timer, pots, growing medium, nutrients, pH meter, thermo-hygrometer.
- Rough budgets: CHF 400–1,000 (60x60), 500–1,250 (80x80), 900–2,100 (120x120).
- In a kit, check real watts, airflow in m³/h and a filter with the same diameter as the fan.
- Often missing: hygrometer, hangers, tape, saucers and calibration solutions for the pH meter.
- Every grow costs electricity (about 300–550 kWh in an 80x80 tent), growing medium and nutrients.
The complete equipment list
| Component | What it does | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Grow tent | keeps light, air and odours in a controlled space | metal frame, light-tight zips, sockets of the right diameter |
| LED lamp | the plants' only light source | real watts, efficiency in µmol/J, dimmer |
| Extractor fan, carbon filter, ducting | removes heat, humidity and odours | airflow in m³/h, same diameter for filter and fan |
| Circulation fan | moves air between the plants | clip for the tent pole, several speeds |
| Timer and power strip | switches the light on and off at the same time every day | suitable wattage rating, mounted off the floor |
| Pots and saucers | hold roots and medium, catch run-off | drainage holes, 7–20 litres depending on plant and technique |
| Growing medium and nutrients | feed the plant in growth and flowering | light potting soil, separate grow and bloom range |
| pH meter and thermo-hygrometer | measure water pH, temperature and humidity | calibration, memory for minimum and maximum values |
Timers, power strips and controllers are in the electrical collection. For choosing the tent, see the guide on how to choose a grow tent.
What it costs: three rough budgets
The prices below are indicative (October 2026), in CHF, and range from basic to good-quality equipment. The upper figure depends mainly on the LED and extractor fan, the two components worth investing in.
| Component | 60x60 | 80x80 | 120x120 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tent | 60–150 | 65–180 | 120–250 |
| LED (real watts) | 120–350 (100–150 W) | 200–450 (180–250 W) | 380–850 (400–600 W) |
| Extractor fan, filter and ducting | 90–200 (100 mm) | 100–260 (100 mm) | 170–420 (125 mm) |
| Circulation fans | 15–40 | 20–50 | 40–100 |
| Timer, power strip, hangers | 25–50 | 25–50 | 40–90 |
| pH meter, EC meter, thermo-hygrometer | 40–110 | 40–110 | 40–110 |
| Pots, growing medium, nutrients | 50–100 | 50–150 | 110–280 |
| Rough total | 400–1,000 | 500–1,250 | 900–2,100 |
Complete kits combining tent, LED and extraction often cost less than the parts bought separately, but rarely include growing medium, nutrients and meters: allow roughly CHF 90–400 extra, depending on tent size.
Ready-made kit or components chosen one by one
Ready-made kit:
- all parts are compatible: duct diameters, hangers and power are already matched to the tent;
- usually a lower total price and a single order;
- less choice: sometimes the LED is undersized or the extractor fan noisy.
Separate components:
- you can invest in the LED and extractor fan and save on accessories and tent;
- you choose the noise level, efficiency and warranty of each part;
- you have to check diameters, airflow and sizes yourself, with a risk of mistakes on a first purchase.
A middle way works well: a tent with a matched air extraction kit and the lamp chosen separately, comparing real watts and efficiency. How to read a lamp's data sheet is explained in the guide to the best LED grow light.
What to check before buying a kit
- The LED's real watts: what counts is the power drawn at the socket, not the "equivalent" figure. In flowering you need about 300–400 W of real power per m², so 100–150 W in a 60x60 tent, 180–250 W in an 80x80 and 400–600 W in a 120x120.
- Efficiency: from 2.5 µmol/J upwards the LED runs cool and uses less power; if the data sheet does not state the figure, ask for it.
- Extractor fan airflow: tent volume in m³ × 60 × 1.3–1.5 (margin for filter and ducting). An 80x80x180 cm tent needs about 90–105 m³/h, a 120x120x200 about 225–260 m³/h; choose a model with a higher rated airflow, for the 120x120 a 125 mm fan rated at 300–400 m³/h.
- Carbon filter: same diameter as the fan and the same or higher airflow, otherwise it chokes the air and lets odours through.
- What is missing: read the contents list and note straight away what you need to buy separately.
Accessories people often forget
- Thermo-hygrometer with min/max memory at canopy height, so you know what happens at night.
- Adjustable ratchet hangers to raise the lamp as the plants grow.
- Cable ties and aluminium tape to secure ducting and joints without air leaks.
- Saucers or a tray for run-off, emptied after every watering.
- pH 4 and pH 7 calibration solutions, electrode storage solution and pH down.
- Jerrycan or graduated watering can, syringes or measuring cups for dosing nutrients.
- Clean scissors and a 60x loupe for pruning, checks and harvest.
Costs that come back with every grow
Work out electricity use like this: watts × hours on per day ÷ 1,000 = kWh per day. In an 80x80 tent with a 240 W LED, extractor fan and circulation fan, a grow with 4 weeks of vegetative growth and 9 weeks of flowering uses about 300–550 kWh, depending on the extractor fan and dimmer setting. At an indicative rate of CHF 0.25–0.35 per kWh (check your supplier's tariff) that is CHF 75–190 per grow.
- Growing medium: 40–80 litres for an 80x80 tent, CHF 20–50 per grow.
- Nutrients: CHF 20–60 per grow; 1 litre bottles often last several grows.
- Carbon filter: replace it when it no longer holds back odours, usually after 1–2 years depending on use and humidity.
- Upkeep: calibration solutions and the pH meter's electrode, which usually lasts 1–2 years.
How a grow runs from set-up to harvest is explained in the guide on how to grow weed indoors.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to start growing indoors?
As a rough guide CHF 400–1,000 for a 60x60 tent, CHF 500–1,250 for 80x80 and CHF 900–2,100 for 120x120, with all the equipment. Each grow adds electricity, growing medium and nutrients, roughly CHF 115–300 in an 80x80 tent.
What does a complete grow tent kit contain?
Usually the tent, an LED lamp, an extractor fan, a carbon filter, ducting, a circulation fan and a timer. Pots, growing medium, nutrients and meters are often left out: check the list before you order.
Is a kit better value than buying separate parts?
For a first grow a kit is simpler and cheaper, provided the LED has enough real watts for the tent size. If you already know what you need, you get more by choosing the LED and extractor fan one by one.
Which kit should I choose for 1–2 plants?
A 60x60 tent 140–160 cm tall with an LED of 100–150 real watts and a 100 mm extractor fan holds up to 2–3 medium-sized plants, so 1–2 plants have plenty of room; it also suits autoflowers. If you want 1–2 photoperiod plants to grow bigger or to train them, choose an 80x80 tent 180 cm tall.
Tents to combine with separately chosen lighting and extraction are in the grow tent collection.
Updated on 13 October 2026.