2023 Best Oscillating Fans for Indoor Grow Tents
Proper ventilation in your grow tent is essential to keep your plants free from mold and mildew and ensure healthy growing conditions. Using an oscillating fan is the best solution to keep the air flowing inside your grow tent.
But choosing the best oscillating fan for your grow tent is not as easy as it seems. You need self-oscillating fans that provide adequate airflow at all angles. Fans should be lightweight but strong and run quietly.
We’ll help you choose the right oscillating fan for your grow tent from some of the best fans around. Browse the guides to find the one that’s right for you.
Why Do You Need Fans In Your Grow Tent?
Ventilation is essential to the health of your plants. The best fans for growing plants even include useful accessories to make your growing life easier.
This video is a nice introduction to the benefits of using a grow tent.
Carbon Dioxide
Like all plants, the plant needs both carbon dioxide and oxygen to survive. In a closed environment without any ventilation, CO2 levels will rapidly be depleted.
When using a grow tent, direct access to an open window isn’t always possible. This is where the best fans for grow tents come in.
Ideally an exhaust system should allow for 2-way air circulation. Fresh and cool air comes in, while the hot air goes out. The light breeze will also strengthen your plants’ stems.
Humidity
Plants breathe. In a closed setup, humidity can accumulate. A stable airflow and controlled humidity levels prevent fungi, rot, mildew, mites or mold from developing and thriving.
You’ll want to aim for 40 to 60 percent humidity up to the final weeks. A proper exhaust system — and potentially a hygrometer — will help keep humidity levels under control.
Temperature
Grow lights will raise the temperature in your grow room. This needs to be counterbalanced to avoid burning the leaves. Growers using high intensity discharge (HID) lamps should be especially cautious, as these lights emit a considerable amount of heat.
You should aim for a temperature between 70 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit when lights are on. When they’re off, the temperature can range between 58 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
ECO Farm 6 Inch Clip Oscillating Fan Fit for Grow Tent with 3-Speed Control
Features:
This ECO Farm wall fan is ideal for a small grow tent, which is why it is our top pick. When it comes to changing the air in and out of your grow operation, you don’t need something blowing with gusto. While this product isn’t made specifically for growing, if you just need something to keep things moving, this fan is wonderful for that. It is small, so it fits easily in your growing area, and if you are growing a large amount of product, you can buy several of these fans and they won’t get in the way or cost you a fortune. This model has a versatile mounting system, so you won’t have to fuss too much with where you put it in your tent. There is also a clamp, so you could just clamp it onto the container that your plants are in. Not only is this fan small and flexible, but it is also quiet, which is crucial for your peace of mind.
RAM — Oscillating Wall Fan 16"
Features:
Ideal as a wall fan for grow rooms, this 40-watt oscillating fan features 16-foot blades and three speed settings. For convenience, it has a pull cord and is not remote operated, so if the power goes out for any unforeseen reason, the fan will automatically restart instead of waiting for a remote start. Wall fans in the grow room are great for circulating the area to avoid any hot spot lighting.
AC Infinity Cloudray A6 Circulation EC Fan
Features:
The newly designed next-generation clip-on fan provides precise air circulation for all stages of plant growth. Utilize the cutting-edge EC motor with PWM control to access a wide range of fan speeds, from breeze to powerful airflow. Designed with an EC motor to provide precise air circulation for all stages of plant growth. Numerous 10 speeds, from gentle breeze for seedlings to strong airflow for flowering. The IP-44 rating is designed for use in growing environments and resists high humidity and heat.
Things to consider
Before discussing the best fans, here are a few more things to consider.
Fan diameter
As we mentioned, the power of a fan does not depend on its size. So why does fan diameter matter?
Grow tents often come with specific opening sizes for inline fans and ducting. Grow tents typically have a 4, 6 or 8 inch opening and the ducting will match the diameter of your fan.
When shopping for a fan, it’s best to make sure the fan and duct will fit the diameter of your grow tent’s opening. If you’re not sure about the size, aim for 6 inches. Converters are available and can be resized as needed.
Noise
Powerful fans tend to be rowdy. Try to find a good balance between noise and power. Quiet grow tent fans are always more popular. This is especially true if you keep your own belongings in or near your living space.
Quality
It is best to choose a fan that is approved, listed or certified by a formal agency. They have been thoroughly tested and ensure a certain level of quality. Here are some popular ones.
ETL Certified: The fan complies with North American safety standards.
UL (Underwriters Laboratories) or ULC (for Canada): Tests electronic products to ensure they are safe.
CSA (Canadian Standards Association): Canadian body recognized in the United States and used worldwide.
Accessories
The best grow tent inline fans may include accessories such as speed controllers or humidity and temperature devices. Some even come with timers to control the plants’ day-night cycle.
These may come at a higher price. However, they can save you some precious time when you’re trying to create the best possible environment for your plants.
Conclusion
With so many fans in the market, it can be difficult to make a buying decision. Be careful, or you’ll end up with a poor quality fan, i.e. one with less noise and less airflow. Above are the best grow tent fans for your indoor grow tent. thanks for reading!
