Parabolic/Umbrella Reflector, What do you think?

jshrooms

Member
What do you guys think of this reflector? Anyone have any experience with them? Im using a 1000 watt HPS in a 4x4 tent and keep it cool enough with temp to spare with my crappy reflector im using now (no cool tube either).

I want to upgrade to this http://www.amazon.com/Apollo-Horticulture-GLRUM42-Hydroponic-Reflector/dp/B0052W2022/ref=sr_1_1?s=lawn-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1382369360&sr=1-1&keywords=parabolic+reflector Because I run 48 plants in SOG style and feel this would give me the best coverage in my tent and its really affordable.

What do you guys think?
 

AimAim

Well-Known Member
On the same page there are 2 square reflectors that are air cooled for not a whole lot more. I'd probably go this route because somewhere down the road you will probably need to extract air/heat. Maybe not, just my opinion. That said the umbrella reflector is certainly better than a crappy reflector.
 

wpxtacoman477

Active Member
Your better off not using the umb's.. Sure, they have allot of light distribution, but at the price of light density/concentration.. Also, that damn things like a bubble and heat rises.. Where do you think that heat is going to go? No where because of the dome light structure.. Those reflectors were originally developed with vertical use in mind (photo shoots and what not)

if you want my advice, or my " what I'd do" I would get rid of the 1000w, sell it (I would personally sell it when I have no plants goin or have someone else sell it for you) but I'd rid of that, and go with multiple 400w's or 600w's so you can have a wide spread distribution like what I think your wanting.. But you would keep your light intensity strong and you'll get more light onto the plants. Set it up in a way where the edges of the line where the reflector stops the light.. Over lap those lines where they get double the light on the sides and you'll have a somewhat more even light distribution since that area is usually where you lose light (the areas were you'll notice the plants growing taller? Around the edges) and if you over lap the edges with two lights, your still losing light , but your getting more light there by doubling up.. It's like.. Say your plants directly under the light bulb are receiving 1 (just as an example) and the outer perimeter is only getting 0.25 .. Well if you over lap the edges of the perimeter.. Than you get something like 0.5 and it may still be weaker than the direct middle where it's losing less light, but your getting better than before.. If you use multiple lower watts, than you get good light in somewhat more even distribution compared to one powerful light that gets big perimeter, but you run the risk of hitting those middle plants with like 2 or 2.5 times.. Which could be too much light if your not introducing co2 and good nutes and could harm younger plants. Good luck!
 

wpxtacoman477

Active Member
Also if your after stronger light, throw in some cfl's.. Couldn't hurt since they're cool and low power consumption!
 

Steelheader3430

Well-Known Member
DSCF3072.jpgI got a similar hood in a 4x4 tent. I live in a cool place, so the temps aren't too bad. It's a 1000 watt mh. With a circular fan blowing the intake air on the bulb and a exhaust up top it works fine for me. The hood helps to keep the sides of the tent from sucking in too far with the negative pressure. I just wrapped electrical tape around the edge to protect my tent.
 

jshrooms

Member
View attachment 2866384I got a similar hood in a 4x4 tent. I live in a cool place, so the temps aren't too bad. It's a 1000 watt mh. With a circular fan blowing the intake air on the bulb and a exhaust up top it works fine for me. The hood helps to keep the sides of the tent from sucking in too far with the negative pressure. I just wrapped electrical tape around the edge to protect my tent.

Nicely done, beautiful ladies you have there.

Thats pretty much exactly what Im running but imagine 4 big totes filling the floor (bubble buckets) each with 12 plant sites that will be varying in hight (SOG perpetual style). Also I will be using a 1k hps.


Does MH light produce less heat than HPS? How close are you able to get that to your plants?
 
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