Hydrohut alternative

[Opie Yutts]

Just a thought for those thinking about buying a Hydrohut:

In Home Depot the other day I saw a portable closet. It was white on the inside and $20. I don't think it's completely light proof though.

[Dutch Pimp]

I been reading reports of growers having problems with Hydrohut Grow tents. Seems there may be a problem with the support poles. Some kind of toxic coatings. Gotta love products from China.

Some growers report no problems, while, others are blaming total crop failure on the tents. But, you know how growers exaggerate....:smokin:

Most of these reports come from semi-pro growers...beware.

[Opie Yutts]

Total crop failure from a chemical in a support pole? Ummm, well OK, maybe. I've heard weirder stuff, but I still find it hard to believe. Are you sure these aren't the people who over watered or over fertilized to keep the plants happy?

Oh wait I see, semi-pros. So they must be right. Do the actual pros sell to dealers, and other dealers are semi-pro growers? Which one are the compassion clinic growers? Do you have to be pro to lace your weed, then sell it? I'm not sure how this works here.

[Help_Needed]

Total crop failure from a chemical in a support pole? Ummm, well OK, maybe. I've heard weirder stuff, but I still find it hard to believe. Are you sure these aren't the people who over watered or over fertilized to keep the plants happy?

Opie,

There's a thread on another forum where an experienced grower had problems with his plants because of what seemed to be environmental contamination coming from his hydrohut. This grower had a multi hut/room setup and he did a lot of experimentation to try isolate the source of the problems before determining it was the hut. All of his other plants were thriving and growing well, but any plant placed in the suspect hut immediately stopped growing and eventually died. At one point he moved his entire setup out of the hut and into another room (so the location was the only variable that changed) and the plants recovered and started growing again.

After he posted his experiences a few other well known growers on that forum posted to report similar problems. The issue, at least as reported on that thread, seems to be limited to the Hydrohut Mini (the 4x4 one). And it's not all of the Mini's that cause issues. They haven't been able to figure out what the common variable to the huts is - maybe it's just a certain mfg. lot, or all the huts from a certain plant.

But, at least based on what I read, I don't think the issue was caused by your normal grower induced plant trauma.

[Help_Needed]

P.S. Regarding the original question - If these are the same portable closets I looked at before buying my hut, they're not even close to light proof. The walls aren't completely opaque and light comes through the actual fabric. But you might have been looking at a different model.

[Help_Needed]

Double post....sorry :o

[PharmaCan]

Double post....sorry :o

If you double post, just report it (red triangle in upper right corner of post) and the mods will take it off.

PC :smokin:

[KillerDemo]

homebox ftw

[Opie Yutts]

P.S. Regarding the original question - If these are the same portable closets I looked at before buying my hut, they're not even close to light proof. The walls aren't completely opaque and light comes through the actual fabric. But you might have been looking at a different model.

No, it's probably the same thing I saw. The fabric was very thin. I wasn't suggesting it for situations that need to be light proof, or maybe you could make it light proof by throwing some black plastic garbage bags over the frame. I just thought someone might like to consider it since it is like 1/10 the price.

And that's just friggen weird about the hydro hut causing crop failure. That's a real bummer for the hydro hut people. If that gets out much, sales would drop way down I imagine.

[Opie Yutts]

PS. Another reason to consider the HD closet is because it's not known to cause crop failure.

[420freedme]

help_needed did silver ever toss that hut?

I can point out several threads on every forum i know of w/this HHut death to crops deal. they all read almost exactly alike.

ppl calling HH HQ and getting replacements, blaming china...lol. its all too yukky for me, but gl.

[woodyboy]

as it is called, not long ago someone asked me to construct a Hydro Hut by Viagrow, as the Shipping container was labled indicating that "the interior should be thoroughly disinfected prior to use", duh! The clerk at the shop even verbalized the same thing and acknowledge there had or still could be a known caustic residue on the material... should have been a warning bell!

Well within about 48 hours of getting it delivered, cleaning it with two solutions and attempting to get it put together on a test run. We busted one of the zippers, the mfg quality of the thing was so poor, it was litterally going to need maintenance to get it put together... give me a freekin break.... I exchanged it for the (I think this is true) rebranded HomeBox now the SunHut.

I will say the SunHut is sweet, not a cheap overseas knock off. Great quality materials, upholstery, stitching, velcroed flaps covering two 4" and 6" holes for venting flanges... real nice so far.

[Opie Yutts]

My grow store guy just told me the hydro hut in his shop made all the plants in it turn yellow. This is not because of chemicals in support beams, but in the vinyl or plastic.

[Earthy Dank]

as it is called, not long ago someone asked me to construct a Hydro Hut by Viagrow, as the Shipping container was labled indicating that "the interior should be thoroughly disinfected prior to use", duh! The clerk at the shop even verbalized the same thing and acknowledge there had or still could be a known caustic residue on the material... should have been a warning bell!

Well within about 48 hours of getting it delivered, cleaning it with two solutions and attempting to get it put together on a test run. We busted one of the zippers, the mfg quality of the thing was so poor, it was litterally going to need maintenance to get it put together... give me a freekin break.... I exchanged it for the (I think this is true) rebranded HomeBox now the SunHut.

I will say the SunHut is sweet, not a cheap overseas knock off. Great quality materials, upholstery, stitching, velcroed flaps covering two 4" and 6" holes for venting flanges... real nice so far.

I had similar problems with my hydrohut. The zippers got stuck real easy and its hard not to break them off. Other than that it works great. I re-enforced the top brackets with rope though. I want to get some snaps to fix the zipper problem. I think snaps would be more reliable.

[grey1223]

Iknow 2 folks using them w/o problems. Also the one at my hydro shop hasn't been a problem for them. I'll check in to see if the problem has shown up in this area.

Very interesting thread.

I almost bought one but decided to fill in a corner of my room with plywood etc..... Cheaper than the hut and I only needed 5 ft tall for moms.

If you don't plan to move it around, use wood instead. If it needs to be portable I know someone who built a 4x4x6 room with casters under it.

[Opie Yutts]

I imagine it's just luck of the draw whether or not your hydro hut will kill your plants. If they really tried, I'll bet they could isolate it down to the exact batch of materials that caused the problems. Who knows if your hut will come from that batch or not? Good luck, I know I wouldn't buy one until that problem gets alleviated.

[Mr. Clandestine]

If they really tried, I'll bet they could isolate it down to the exact batch of materials that caused the problems.


Pretty sure they did a recall for the Hydrohuts, and I think it was just a bad batch from somewhere in California. So if you didn't buy or order a hut from Cali, there's probably nothing to worry about. But those who're still concerned about it can probably still have their hut replaced for free, or the cost of shipping. Good to see they're staying on top of it, because those things seem to have become really popular.

And Opie, what were the dimensions (roughly) for the closet you found?

[grey1223]

Pretty sure they did a recall for the Hydrohuts, and I think it was just a bad batch from somewhere in California. So if you didn't buy or order a hut from Cali, there's probably nothing to worry about. But those who're still concerned about it can probably still have their hut replaced for free, or the cost of shipping. Good to see they're staying on top of it, because those things seem to have become really popular.

And Opie, what were the dimensions (roughly) for the closet you found?

Here's the skinny: It was one batch from china and the problem is with the vinyl the tent is made from. It's releasing some kind of gas. My local hydro shop has one that'sbeen up 2 yearsw/o problems. Hydrohut will pay your shipping costs to return for replacement.

[stinkyattic]

It's the coating on the poles, not the vinyl. Do a google search for 'hydrohut syndrome' to see discussions of this. The company has since fixed the issue and personally I like those tents a lot as a solid product.

Just watch out for those Chinese dumplings with the steamed cardboard fillers in them, lol...

[grey1223]

Sorry, that's what my hydro shop owner told me today. Maybe he's got it wrong. Regardless, they are a good product. One customer of his took his plants out of his defective hydrohut, said they looked dead. 24 hours after he removed them from the Hydrohut they came back.

At least Hydrohut is providing new ones for those affected.

[Opie Yutts]

Sorry, that's what my hydro shop owner told me

My too, but I guess they can be mistaken just like anyone else. Seems more likely the problem is in the vinyl, but who knows.

[Opie Yutts]

And Opie, what were the dimensions (roughly) for the closet you found?

That's kinda hard for this forgetful mind to say. I just remember that it looked almost exactly like a hydro hut, but perhaps a couple inches less deep, and not light proof. The 2x4x8' (?) ones.

[stinkyattic]

Hm, well the owner of my local grow shop said it was the poles, and so did Rhizome, and he appears to be our resident know it all (I mean that in the best possible way!)... so...
Either way, you won't have any problems now, or if you build a mock one of panda film, duct tape and PVC! :D

[Mr. Clandestine]

My local hydro shop has one that'sbeen up 2 yearsw/o problems.

That's the only place I've ever seen one, at my local shop, and that one has been up for a while, too... apparently with no problems. It's nice to see that the Hydrohut makers are accommodating to those who are having problems, though. Those things are pretty expensive.


That's kinda hard for this forgetful mind to say. I just remember that it looked almost exactly like a hydro hut, but perhaps a couple inches less deep, and not light proof. The 2x4x8' (?) ones.

Gotcha, I'm going to have to check that out. Actually, I'm in need of some perlite at the moment, so I may take a look at it today when I run some errands. I'd love to line one with a bunch of 4' T12s, and use it to veg my mothers. And in turn, not being lightproof won't be an issue. Thanks for bringing this up, yo!

[grey1223]

Hm, well the owner of my local grow shop said it was the poles, and so did Rhizome, and he appears to be our resident know it all (I mean that in the best possible way!)... so...
Either way, you won't have any problems now, or if you build a mock one of panda film, duct tape and PVC! :D

Just left my local shop and they said HydroHut told them to have customers return only the vinyl. They can't keep track of all the poles.

[stinkyattic]

I poked around a little and found this, thanks Vermonster for posting it where it was easy to find, and grey, looks like I was wrong:

Open Letter from HydroHut to the public

In the last several months, HydroHut has been made aware of and pursued a problem with some of its Huts causing a peculiar plant yellowing leading to plant whitening in certain, sensitive plants. While the issue did not arise in all plants, or all Huts, the existence of a problem was not conducive to our product's mission.



After several months of extensive testing, false positives and much interaction with the public regarding this matter, we have found an EPA approved compound that isn't stable in our plastic and that causes extreme stress to certain sensitive plants. In the future, this compound will be removed during manufacture.



Our focus has been directed at how to remove this compound from the plastic and to do so in a way that we could retroactively repair any HydroHut already in the field. As of February 2008, HydroHut will be repairing any affected HydroHuts at its facility. The exact process by which we repair the HydroHuts is extensive and proprietary and it will be carried out by a trained staff at our locations.



We fully understand that this situation with our product has adversely affected many clients. For this reason, we are standing behind our product and are offering anyone who has been affected a way to have his/her HydroHut repaired free of charge.



Any client, be they end user or store, can arrange to have his HydroHut shipped back to our Los Angeles facility for processing, free of charge. The HydroHut will then be shipped back to the client free of charge.



All inquiries for HydroHut processing should be directed to [email protected] with no exceptions.



Please provide the following details in the email:



1) Size/model of affected HydroHut



2) Number of affected HydroHuts (only the HydroHut brand will be accepted for processing)



3) Address where the HydroHut can be picked up by UPS call tag (make sure someone is there to meet the UPS driver) Do not use a PO box as UPS will not pick up from a PO box



4) A name to whom/which we can address the package going back to you, the client. (We will make a good faith attempt at getting your product back to you. If nobody is at the address to accept the package three times, the package will be sent back to Los Angeles. Any further attempts to get the package to the client will be paid for by client.)



5) Please remove your HydroHut canvas or skin and box it up. Do not pack up your poles or hardware. Do not remove your frame. Do not attempt to ship us your frame or other items. We will only be call tagging the canvas in a box. You must provide that box and properly seal that box. We will send you a call tag for a specific weight based on the email you send to us with your HydroHut details. Again, we will only be taking back your canvas for processing; no other parts or hardware will be accepted. Leave your frame set up and intact.



6) We will make every effort to process and reship your HydroHut canvas within two weeks. This is not a guarantee but it is our goal. Please note that ground shipments across the USA can take up to 8 days! Even if we process your HydroHut in only one day, there could still be 16 days of ground shipping, 8 days coming to us and 8 days going back. Be patient. Most clients will not have to wait two weeks. Every attempt will be made to expedite each HydroHut.



7) If a store has new HydroHut, still in its original box, the canvas can be re-boxed in a separate box, and the canvas will be returned to the store new and folded, ready to put back into the original box. Please keep your original box at your store including all poles, hardware, and instructions. Do not send us the entire unit.



While this entire exercise may be time consuming, HydroHut is doing all that it can to rectify this problem as quickly as possible. We apologize to everyone for the difficulties incurred with our product, end-users and stores. Without a loyal standing of clients we would be nothing. It is our goal make this situation as right as we can. Thank you to everyone who has stuck with us through this difficult period.

[Opie Yutts]

Interesting, sounds like a pretty good company that had a bit of misfortune.

Holy crap. I was right and stinky was wrong. I guess the world is about to end.