Reflective material?

Ok I have read a lot of threads and seen a lot of pics of different methods. Sounds to me like mylar is the best but I can't get my hands on any.

What is second best? My closet is bright white and kind of glossy (not matt) will this work well? (I plan on growing lowryder and using 6 20w - 42w cfls 3 warm white, 3 cool white)

If you dont think the closet colour is already sufficient would the white backing from posters work well? Or would the dull side of aluminum(tin) foil work well if I put it up really carefully so its not all creased?

Any info would be great!

EX

I think your walls might be good if they are clean and fresh white. Also you can just get a credit card or write out a money order and get some mylar from here. It's where I ordered mine from.

Discount Hydroponics - Mylar & Such

Mylar is the best known reflective material for reflecting "photosynthesis-ready" light. Ergo, your best option...

Don't be discouraged though, you can use FLAT white paint to achieve the next best reflective element.

What you shouldn't use is mirrors, tinfoil or other aluminum objects (big no no), any type of glossy paint, and last but not least no shiny metal plating...These types of materials/objects DO reflect light, and even some usable light but they also reflect A LOT of heat and can actually cause the light to form condensed and focused light waves (like a magnifying glass and an ant) causing "hot spots" which will burn your plant/s...

Hope that helps you make some decisions...

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Originally Posted by GRB.4.Life

Mylar is the best known reflective material for reflecting "photosynthesis-ready" light. Ergo, your best option...

Don't be discouraged though, you can use FLAT white paint to achieve the next best reflective element.

What you shouldn't use is mirrors, tinfoil or other aluminum objects (big no no), any type of glossy paint, and last but not least no shiny metal plating...These types of materials/objects DO reflect light, and even some usable light but they also reflect A LOT of heat and can actually cause the light to form condensed and focused light waves (like a magnifying glass and an ant) causing "hot spots" which will burn your plant/s...

Hope that helps you make some decisions...

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thats spot on :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: rep points

Thanks guys! im gonna stick with the white for this grow and try get some mylar for the next one!

Good luck on the lowryders, mine are just sprouting!

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Originally Posted by Dr.Hashman

Good luck on the lowryders, mine are just sprouting!

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Thanks! what lighting are you using? im looking at 6-8 20-42w cfls or if i can find any higher wattage cfls i will get them but i dont think they go higher than 42w here.

i used emergency blankets from Wally World, cost about 1.99 each and its mylar.

go to home depot,

they gave this stuff called reflectix, its mylar over bubble wrap and works freaking awesome and is super sturdy, it works just as good as strait mylar.

its cheaper too and can be seen in my thread if you wanto to get a idea of what it looks like

sounds like you have shiny walls, and that is what you were warned a bout. needs to be "flat" white. goodluck

I use panda plastic. comes in 10 foot wide rolls or by the foot. Best thing is you can just wrap your grow area, and it is almost as reflective as mylar.

having the black side on back of white helps for blacking out purposes, when overlapped. Peace

and it doesn't look like space age pot growing reflective material if it is exposed by chance. lol

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Originally Posted by MOBABN

i used emergency blankets from Wally World, cost about 1.99 each and its mylar.

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lol, me too...quite very cheap.

I live in the UK so no home depot or walmart! its not a glossy surface I think it will be fine.The white back of a poster would be glossier and some people recommend to use that!

good for you, I hope all goes well. We will watch for your growpiks. peace

As far as reflectix. I have almost bought a roll of that a few times. I am sure I will soon for my outdoor greenhouse. I checked the website, and as far as I can tell its reflective capability is rated very close to mylar and Panda plastic. Great option if you need to insulate you grow shed, or something similar. Peace

Well, essentially it COULD work, but in my opinion, you should just get paint and paint the walls of your growspace FLAT white.

Light goes through paper. So your light will go through the paper and be eaten up...

really...7-10 bucks for a gallon of flat base white...Bam reflective walls