The 5 Best Climate Controllers for Grow Tents

By Lydia Kibet

Have you figured out how much effort is required to grow plants indoors? 

You have to manage the extreme temperatures, the limited supply of light and sun rays, and humidity levels. 

This is where grow room controllers come in. 

There are more than five hundred climate controllers for grow tents in the market today. A large number of these controllers make it hard for novice growers to make a prudent choice. After reviewing several products in the market, we established five climate controllers to use for your indoor grow tents. 

The 5 Best Climate Controllers for Grow Tents

The controllers are:

1. Trolmaster Hydro-X Environment Control System (HSC-1)
2. Titan Controls Spartan Series Basic Digital Controller
3. Autopilot ECLIPSE F60 Digital Environmental Controller 
4. Trolmaster Hydro-X Environment Control System (HSC1) And 1X Adapter F (LMA-14)
5. Intelligent Growing Systems CO2/RH/Temp Controller Day/Night Settings, 6 Equipment

1. Trolmaster Hydro-X Environment Control System (HSC-1)

Hydro-X Control System is crafted to ensure that your indoor plants achieve optimal productivity levels. Its design makes it easy to install and modify.

You can also use it with most HVAC systems, grow light brands, commercial dehumidifiers and humidifiers, CO2 generators, and mini-split air conditioners. Hydro-X can control up to 512 grow lights, two humidity devices, four temperature devices, 2 CO2 devices, and nine preprogram devices.

The HSC-1 also comes with the TrolMaster App, which you can use remotely from your smartphone. 

Hydro-X has a 3-in-1 sensor that detects the temperature levels, the level of CO2, light and humidity. You don’t need to keep an eye on the grow room conditions since the app got you covered.

In case the set values surpass or fall short, a notification message is sent to your phone. The system is pretty easy to use, whether you’re a novice or seasoned indoor grower.

Pros

• Fully customizable
• Free smartphone app
• Easy to install

Cons

• The initial set up may seem complicated for a novice indoor grower

Verdict

Hydro-X makes a great choice for growers who want to customize their own grow room system for maximum yield due to its flexibility and versatility.

2. Titan Controls Spartan Series Basic Digital Controller

Titan Controls Spartan is the face of sophistication regarding the management of room conditions in indoor gardening. The controller uses an analog interface that is easy to use, even for novice growers. You can manage the CO2, humidity, and temperature levels using this controller by just tuning the controller’s highly responsive knobs.

The controller has a clear display to help you see the room conditions and adjust accordingly. The display is attached to a 15ft cord that records the room conditions. This controller’s output is 14.5 Amps maximum/120 Volts/60Hz, making it energy saving but with high power output.

Here is a breakdown of the accuracy for Titan Controls Spartan Series Complete Digital Environmental Controller:

• CO2 Range: 400-2000PPM with an accuracy of +/-100PPM
• Humidity Setting Range: 5%-95% rH and Humidity Accuracy: +/-3%
• Temp Setting: Adjustable 40°-122° F with Temp accuracy: +/-2° F 

Pros

• Product Dimensions: 10 x 6 x 10 inches; 4.9 pounds, making it relatively portable
• It has a high accuracy rate for optimization of growing conditions
• It is resistant to dust, moisture, and rust

Cons

• There have been complaints of the controller breaking down after a short period

Verdict

Controlling indoor conditions has never been more accurate with Titan Controls Spartan Series. If you are looking for a lightweight room controller with high accuracy, this is the right choice for you. It is advisable to buy this controller from a reputable seller who offers a warranty.

3. Autopilot ECLIPSE F60 Digital Environmental Controller 

The F60 Digital Environmental Controller gives accurate results within a short period. ECLIPSE F60 can detect humidity, cycle timing, temperature levels, and cooling, whereby users can check using three digital screens. Thanks to its sophisticated design, you can get notifications from the LED lights’ active modes in case of any errors.

F60 uses a combination of an intelligent and sensitive remote for optimal results. This controller uses a temperature/humidity sensor and photocell for daylight detection. The probe is placed at exactly 15ft off the controller. It is resistant to EMI/EFI  from electronic ballasts and converts the data into a readable format, displayed on the digital screens.

This controller has four outlets: Cycle Timer, Cooling, Heating, and Humidify/Dehumidify.

The outlets have a heavy-duty protective cover to prevent atmospheric pressure from getting into the device. The humidity and temperature outlets have day and night set points that are customized for optimal results. The cycle timer outlet regulates all the devices involved in the on and off function for 24 hours. F60 also has an in-built logger that records both the minimum and maximum humidity and temperature levels.

Common features in Autopilot ECLIPSE F60

• Separate day/night temperature and humidity set points
• Four outlets for controlling temperature, cycle timed device and humidity
• Programmable cycle timer that records after 1 second
• Independent or synchronized temperature and humidity outlets 
• Cycle timer outlets modes that work for 24 hours continuously 
• You can record the temperature and humidity levels with ease 
• It uses LED mode with error detectors for more accurate results
• It has an inbuilt battery that can keep it running for a long time, even after power failure
• It meets the standards for ETL listing
• The maximum operating amperage is 14.5 and has a 120V

Pros

• Product dimensions: 10.50L x 10.40W x 6.00H and 5.10 pounds, which makes it easily portable
• It can record temperature, humidity, and errors instantly
• The inbuilt battery ensures continued functioning even after power failure

Cons

• Servicing this controller requires costly expertise

Verdict

Autopilot ECLIPSE F60 gets all your indoor growing needs sorted. The sophisticated features, excellent performance, and unmatched design give it an edge over most climate controllers. You don’t need to be a pro-gardener since the F60 got you covered. 

4. Trolmaster Hydro-X Environment Control System (HSC1) And 1X Adapter F (LMA-14)

Trolmaster Hydro-X environment control system is the face of intelligence and versatility when it comes to environmental control systems in the market.

With this control system, you can manage up to 512 lights, two humidity systems, four temperature devices, nine preprogram devices, and two CO2 devices. You can increase the overall yield of your plants by customizing the grow room system. 

If there is an easy-to-maintain control system in the market today, it is this Hydro-X model.

The controller uses two separate lines to help you create several lighting layouts, based on your preference. You can create a sophisticated schedule, including auto-dimming, sunrise/ sunset simulation, and overheat shutdown. The schedule ensures that you manage the lighting system effectively. 

The Hydro-X system has a 3-in-1 sensor that monitors light, temperature, and humidity. Besides, there is a CO2 sensor that monitors the CO2 levels in the grow tent. The system has smoke detectors that detect smoke or alert you in case of fire. With Hydro-X helps you can entirely control your grow environments.

Hydro-X has a unique design with four device stations: humidity, program, CO2, and temperature.

These device stations and program device stations are connected through different devices into a centralized control center. Despite this intricate design, the connection is flexible, a factor that makes it easy to control them. 

The Hydro-X controller’s design allows it to link up with the control network through a standard cable.

You only need to download the Hydro-X app to your mobile device and link it to the system. You can then access and monitor the functions of the grow rooms remotely. In case of a malfunction in the grow room, a notification pops up on your phone. The application also allows you to read historical data for the grow room. In case of connectivity issues or network malfunctions, you can use a customized micro-SD for data logging.

Another feature that sets Hydro-X apart is its easy-to-use interface. For instance, it has a sophisticated 128×128 LCD. You can access all the settings and data on the conditions through the LCD.

Pros

• Four device stations for controlling the grow tent conditions
• Easy-to-use interface with smartphone compatibility
• Sophisticated sensors for CO2, humidity, temperature, and light

Cons

• The initial setup is complicated, and therefore you need to engage an expert, less you mess up.

Verdict

The inclusion of a smartphone-controlled application gives you authority at your fingertips. Managing the necessary growing conditions: temperature, humidity, CO2, and light is the first step to increasing productivity.  

5. Intelligent Growing Systems CO2/RH/Temp Controller Day/Night Settings, 6 Equipment

The Intelligent Growing Systems CO2/RH/Temp Controller is designed to solve all your indoor issues. First, this climate controller uses sophisticated intake and exhaust fans to keep the CO2 and oxygen levels under control. 

Common features in Intelligent Growing Systems include:

• Seamless integration of CO2 enrichment of intake and exhaust ventilation
• Temperature, relative humidity, and CO2 electronic sensors
• Alarm system hook-up (with iMS-100)
• 24-hour data logging of the sensor value

Pros 

• Feeds up to 45 amps of controlled equipment (110-120V)
• It gives an automatic difference for exact CO2 concentration
• Ready to use

Cons

• The initial setup is complicated.

Verdict

Most people overlook the impact of CO2 concentration in grow tents, which is catastrophic. It would be best if you stood out by using this state-of-the-art and high-performance climate controller for optimal results. 

Things to Consider when Looking for Climate Controllers for Grow Tents

Whether you are a novice or seasoned grow tent user, you must consider the following things when buying a climate controller. These include:

• Durability: The materials used to make the controller must be durable. You can confirm the controller’s durability by checking the warranty and reviews. 
• Alarm: An ideal climate controller should have an alarm to keep you alert in case of abnormalities in temperature, humidity, CO2 levels, or light. 
• Ease of use: When looking for a climate controller, you should settle for easy to use, especially if you are a novice. 
• Warranty: The more extended the warranty, the better the deal. Always settle for climate controllers with at least a 1-year warranty. 
• Display: A good controller uses a clear LCD from which you can observe the readings in temperature, humidity, CO2 levels, and light levels.     

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Climate Controllers for Grow Tents

Indoor growers frequently ask these questions on climate growers:

Is there a specific temperature and humidity for grow tents and rooms?

The ideal conditions for the indoor growing of plants are not constant. Instead, they depend on the plant species and existing climatic conditions. For instance, the difference between the night and day temperatures should almost be the same. 

The growth of the plant also determines the right humidity for the grow tent. For instance, seedlings should have 70-75% humidity levels, while at the vegetative stage, the humidity levels should be 50-70%. On the other hand, the flowering and harvest stages should have humidity levels of 40-50% and 45-50%, respectively.

What are the implications of extreme humidity and temperature in grow rooms? 

Growing plants in unregulated humidity and temperatures in grow tents can be adverse. First, high humidity levels can cause the plants to get sick, especially at the seedling stage. A combination of low temperature and high humidity might lead to the plants getting stunted. 

Where can I buy the perfect climate controllers for grow tents and rooms?

Getting the best climate controller is a pipe dream. However, you can identify a climate controller whose features fit most of your plants’ requirements and order them from the leading stores. 

Is climate controller long-lasting?

There are two major determinants of how long a climate controller can last. First, if you take good care of the climate controller, and second, the grow tent’s conditions. Once these factors are put in check, the climate controller can last for an extended period. However, we cannot overlook that some controllers have a superior quality, which makes them last longer. 

What are the benefits of using a climate controller for grow tents and rooms?

The controller maintains the right conditions for plants, making them grow better. Healthy plants translate to high yields. 

Final thoughts on the best climate controllers for grow tents

There is no single climate controller that fits all the requirements of indoor grow tents. 

This is because different plant species have different requirements. 

When looking for a climate controller, you should ensure that it meets most of the requirements. The list of climate controllers above meets most of the growing requirements.

Anytime you think of owning a controller, you should think of these. Their design, functionality, and power consumption have everything you need to keep your indoor plants healthy and productive.