I got a hps light and I was wondering if i even need a reflector?
the walls around it are white, and its not that big of a space.

Don;t have to, but it does help to keep all the light reflected down.

you don't NEED it, but it will increase yield a LOT if you set up some good reflection around the plant.

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they make a bulb that has a built in reflector. agrosun reflector lamps. of course youll need a ballast. it actually looks like it wont give off as much heat beings its more "open". scratch all of that. just get a reflector man. cheap out man. somethings better then nothing. http://www.htgsupply.com/products.asp?categoryID=5

Get a big ole Fosters beer can, open it up so it becomes the new reflector. You can make one out of a metal coffee can too, but might need tin snips to get it apart.

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get yourself a reflector

awesome thanks everyone. Im gonna make while im waiting for my order!

Reflectors are not a necessity. It is just strongly advised to increase your chances of a better yield since you will be utilizing your existing light source better.

Of course, you don't need a reflector! Just use four times as much light as you think you need - that'll show those smart asses!

Think of it this way - imagine a reflecting telescope, then ask yourself this question - "Is it better to use reflectors (to keep the light focused), or to just stare off into space? It's the same principle, just a different application.

The point is, light tends to travel in all directions possible. So that a "white enclosure" tends to reflect and spread the light fairly evenly. But there are two problems here:
1. White paint, even the "proper" flat white type, applied and maintained properly, isn't the best reflective surface - it's just the best cheap reflective surface.
2. And probably more important is the extra distance your light will have to travel because it's just "bouncing around", instead of being kept "focused and condensed". It is really easy to disregard those extra inches as being "Not Important" - that is because so many people don't really understand, or appreciate, the Inverse Square Law of light. What a pity! Light that only has to travel half as far really does deliver four times as much energy!