kijanianswered grow question 4 years ago plants in nature breathe better (pulling water from roots through the leaves) when they are not suffocated. additionally, the movement of plants as they sway against the wind stimulates them into building stronger stem wall cells.
your tent is not a natural environment, it is like a zoo for your plants - so you have to create all necessary external stimuli - sunlight, oxygenated rainfall, co2 rich air, ideal geographical locations(temperatures, moisture levels), food, air movement, bird songs
the fan creates the wind. ... strong babying, strong vegging -->strong mothering
in a nutshell .. yes you need the fan