Mylar vs. ORCA Grow Film vs. Flat White Paint

That orca film is damn expensive........25 foot roll by 54 inches is about 60 us dollars online (shipping is included).......anybody find it cheaper??

It's spendy. I try to think of grow room expenses in terms of grams.

Now it's not so spendy is it? It's like 4-5 grams

Yeah thats not what I was asking........I'm just looking for the best deal before getting some........

Dizzle Frost said:

i could be wrong but i think diamond mylar is the most reflective of the reflective family of reflections. In the 95%+- range.

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I 2nd that!! That's what I'm gona use in my grow.

When I have finished my latest grow.. I WILL be upgrading to Orca, I too made a thread on this stuff and its honestly awesome I can't wait to re-decorate, I am using Diamond Mylar at the moment and it works great, but seeing the better potential of Orca Film its defo what I am gonna do it IS hella expensive my local Hydro Store sells a roll for approx 90 quid it may cost a bit more lol .. But I am pretty sure that the difference in yield will more than make up for it - STELTHY

legallyflying said:

LMFAO at the guy who is using mirrors. There are a million different resources telling people that mirrors actually ABSORB light...yet..here he is with mirrors in his "cab". I guess its kind of dick thing to say but I rarely listen to anyone growing in a cab.

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Mirrors do " absorb" about 5-7 % to refraction, but 95% is reflected back.
Read your physics about mirrors.

Obviously if I grow for personal use an don't sell I would use less space.
But you interpit this as ignorance?
Shameful.

what is shameful is your lack of understanding of why mirrors are a poor choice for a reflective surface.

If I flashed you driving by with a white board nothing would happen. (diffuse reflection / lambert scatter)
If I flashed you driving by with a mirror you'd be blinded by intensity of the light reflection (specular reflection).

Do you really think white with is weekend diffuse reflection is sending more light back?
It scatters the light in every direction?

Specular reflection by definition is stronger in one viewing direction, i.e., there is a bright spot, called a specular highlight.

Yes. And it is this specular reflection that is going to create hot spots that burn your plants. I care not dude, put fucking magnifying glasses on the wall; just don't tell people that don't know better that it is a viable option.

While it would be cool to have all walls covered in mirrors so it looks like you have a million plants, it is not the preferred covering.

Its very viable, I ve done it for years.
I run 300 w of Hid in a 3x3x2 cab that is lined with mirrors.

Hid bulbs make hot spots, I call it light.

There is no detectable temp increase with mirrors in my cab.
I've checked, alot.

Search for " SCARHOLE perpetual grow "to see proof.
I'm not a noob, they banned me so I don't have 10 bars of rep here anymore.

Ive never grown with mylar, I have always used flat white paint. I cant say if one is better but my friend has his HUGE grow room entirely wrapped in mylar and personally I dont notice a difference between his plants and mine.

We use the same seeds, he uses HPS and MH and I used Daylight CFLs and TCP Springlights. We get nearly (within 1/4 oz) the same harvest same look same texture same everything. Its all about how much light you give to your plants.
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orca film is the best. it splits light and spreads it instead of just redirecting it. you have to experience it to understand that is all i use in my rooms.

the diamond mylar is better than the regular mylar since it doesn't crease i found regular mylar very thin flimsy and not durable can also cause hot spots when it gets creases in it ..
can also use the white/black/white reflective plastic for a cheaper option thats about 85% reflective .. flat white paint is also a good option the amount that one is better than the other is too small for me to worry, ill go with what doesn't seem to expensive and what is durable and can be used over and over

never used the ocra it sounds good, worth the extra cost, who knows .. i might pick some up next time i visit the rip off store .. sorry hydro store

IMO, mirrors are a poor choice UNLESS you are using PRIMARILY VERTICAL bulbs. As the light travels down, it sheds lumens. If the spectrum is redirected with no interference, it's going towards the floor, and has to travel the same distance to reach the area under the light. VERTICAL bulbs can use mirrors more efficiently. BEFORE any one insults me, no I don't have any flippin' mirrors in my room.

Phew. I thought for a minute you were going to give Portland a bad name by telling people you have mirrors in your grow room

tryed mirrors

legallyflying said:

LMFAO at the guy who is using mirrors. There are a million different resources telling people that mirrors actually ABSORB light...yet..here he is with mirrors in his "cab". I guess its kind of dick thing to say but I rarely listen to anyone growing in a cabinent. LOL

Anyways, if you have the cash, the orca film is pretty damn nice. The shit is STRONG. Like seriously strong! I think its actually some kind of house wrap product or what not, but only in white with no printing. It was worth the money for my situation. Its bright as fuck, tough as nails, and cleans easily.

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Funny shit dude! And spot on with regard to reflectivity.
Thx!

Orca FTW. I just finished putting it up in my new room, and while it's pricey like everyone says, it is money well spent. It cost me $200 out the door for a 54"x100' roll, but if it only increases available light by 5% over panda/diamond/whatever then I don't see that as a cost...

I just painted new room in Elastomatic Roof Paint. 97% reflective, anti mold/mildew agents already in it. 5 gallon bucket was $60