CFL reflector, dimpled or smooth.

Afternoon,

I will be upgrading my current reflector for a new one this week and I am after some advise.

I'm currently looking at the dual cfl reflector here and have a question.

I have been told not to get a dimpled reflector for use with CFL, which, I disagree with as I have read dimpled gives better light diffusion.

Anyone got some actual correct information to support/negate the above?

Cheers.

i prefer a nice smooth one over one with dimples...wait...what are we talking about here again?

Smooooothe...

anyone else with some facts as to which one is better and why? and for CFL

Dimpled is great at dispersing bright bright lights at varrying angles so that the light is cast more evenly without one bright point and other less bright points. Smooth reflectors are better at focusing light and projecting them. For CFLs I would suggest smooth reflector as they do not throw very far (focusing them increases throw distance) and are not powerful enough to burn a plant (no dispersion necessary).

Small lights (cfls, led, HID < 60w) = concentrate the light
Big lights (HID > 60w) = disperse the light

Gastanker said:

Dimpled is great at dispersing bright bright lights at varrying angles so that the light is cast more evenly without one bright point and other less bright points. Smooth reflectors are better at focusing light and projecting them. For CFLs I would suggest smooth reflector as they do not throw very far (focusing them increases throw distance) and are not powerful enough to burn a plant (no dispersion necessary).

Small lights (cfls, led, HID > 60w) = concentrate the light
Big lights (HID) = disperse the light

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Great, thanks mate.

Currently I'm using 300w CFL, the dual reflector im after (adding another 300w) only comes in dimpled, will this still apply.

Im in a 80x80x160 tent.

batf1nk said:

Great, thanks mate.

Currently I'm using 300w CFL, the dual reflector im after (adding another 300w) only comes in dimpled, will this still apply.

Im in a 80x80x160 tent.

Click to expand...

When you go up in wattage with CFLs the light never becomes more "intense". Larger bulbs put out more light but they are also proportionately larger than the smaller compact fluorescent bulbs so the light per area of bulb is pretty constant between the different sized bulbs. Due to this dimpling really isn't necessary - I personally would want a a fixture that focused the light more than diffracting and dispersing it.

But even so the shape of the reflector regardless of dimpling will focus the light much better than no reflector so I'd choose dimpled in a heart beat versus a non polished aluminum reflector.

Gastanker said:

When you go up in wattage with CFLs the light never becomes more "intense". Larger bulbs put out more light but they are also proportionately larger than the smaller compact fluorescent bulbs so the light per area of bulb is pretty constant between the different sized bulbs. Due to this dimpling really isn't necessary - I personally would want a a fixture that focused the light more than diffracting and dispersing it.

But even so the shape of the reflector regardless of dimpling will focus the light much better than no reflector so I'd choose dimpled in a heart beat versus a non polished aluminum reflector.

Click to expand...

Makes total sense, cheers dude. I would go HPS but due to the size of the tent, I'm worried about heat. The temp in the tent swings between high 60's to high 80's so I'm trying to push CFL to its limits. I'm not ruling out side lighting either as the next upgrade.

Now im thinking of looking for an alternative reflector, maybe just get two seperate reflectors, suppose I have more control that way, not needing to raise the whole lighting system away if 1 plant wanders closer to the light.... Think I've just answered my own question lol.

I had a very successful small CFL grow and would HIGHLY recommend side lighting - or even better submerge bulbs between plants below the canopy. I had best success hanging my larger bulbs bare between plants and then closely cover the canopy in smaller CFLs.

When you hang bulbs below the canopy 100% of the light is being absorbed by the plants with none of it re-striking the bulb or having to travel to the reflector and then back out (greatly lowering its power). CFLs work best when very very close to the plants so its better to cover the flatish canopy with smaller bulbs evenly dispersed than one larger bulb in a reflector.

This illustrates the usefulness of a light bare bulbed and submerged below canopy versus over top. Same power bulb - white is optimal lighting:



I would suggest something like this:



Was averaging an oz a week from 388w of CFL. Had 6-9 plants on a rotation continuously flowering in a closet 2x3x3.



Full coverage is the way to go imo

Fucking hell dude! That has given me a total different view now. Thanks for the great post. I'm a little way off from going that full on yet as I'm still finding my feet, however, you have given me a path to walk now. I will grab a single reflector (shiny) for now and chuck that and an extra bulb in. I did think on adding side lighting next grow using the T5 lightwave units round the sides.. we will see.

You can also buy a 3 pack of those disposable aluminum pans from walmart and you can rig up a really decent overhead reflector. just another idea