I leave mine tight as a drum while not stitching on it. If I'm going to make it a UFO, I'll loosen it a bit.
If you have a problem getting it tight on the scroll rods, you might try getting rods that are a hand width LONGER than your fabric. That will give you a place to grab the rod, give it a turning as tight as you can, then lock it down in place. then repeat for the other rod. If you're planning on using FA Edmund's ratchetting scroll frames, this won't work. The ratchet part will slip to the next "catch" place instead of getting drum tight. :rolleyes
Vanessa

My Stitching Web Page
2007 finishes:
Mirabilia: Three for Tea, June's Pearl Fairy, Miss New Year Fairy, Ivy, Fern, Mermaid from Atlantis, April's Blue Diamond, Lilly, Daisy, Lilly (again), Daisy (again), Thanksgiving Harvest Fairy, Mermaid from Atlantis (again)
TW's Needle Guardian
Barbara Baatz: October Fairy
Brittercup Designs: Britty Kitty/Puppy Christmas Stocking