Reflecting materials

Has anyone compared Orca grow film to Panda?

I could only find one of it compared with diamond mylar:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2u0_BSDFaD4

They are saying their tech enables 98% reflectivity.

Why is the use of aluminum foil not recommended? I apologize for the stupid question, I'm a total noob and was about to to put this stuff on the walls of the closet I"m setting up in.

Chicago Gooner said:

Why is the use of aluminum foil not recommended? I apologize for the stupid question, I'm a total noob and was about to to put this stuff on the walls of the closet I"m setting up in.

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Couple of reasons. The largest of them being that flat white paint is about 10% more reflective. Also, the crimps and folds in the foil can create hot spots. Ironic that foil would actually make your standard white closet less reflective...

Thank you Snow Crash. Unfortunately in my case there are no drywall panels screwed in to the frame so I need to rely on something reflective. Is mylar film something locally available you think? What are my options? I'm a first timer, nothing fancy just about 6 plants.

ya given your name there should be hydroponic stores in your area. Look them up on the web and also online hydro stores
you can find good with little effort if you are proficient with web searches.
I live next door to you assuming the above and I have access to 2 shops within an hours drive of me.
Mylar or white panda film would be good choices for you I think based on what you are after.

i have used aluminum foil. use the dull side. i dont recommend it but it does work. mylar sucks to work with and is electrically conductive so is not really safe but that is what i am currently using. flat not semi gloss white paint is a good option. the shiny bubble insulation from hardware store.

You can use a 4x8 panel of white insulation, about 1/2 an inch thick, found for $15 at a hardware store. Cut it with a utility knife to size and wedge it in the walls.

I have done a lot of reading about reflective material and Mylar is the best with a 98 to 99% reflectivity. Mylar blankets are super cheap and can be found in almost any department store in the camping section. I have also heard that aluminum foil is a Hugh fire hazard so I would be careful if u use it. Flat white paint is the next best after mylar. But this is all based off of my many hours of reading and that is what I found

flamdrags420 said:

ya given your name there should be hydroponic stores in your area. Look them up on the web and also online hydro stores
you can find good with little effort if you are proficient with web searches.
I live next door to you assuming the above and I have access to 2 shops within an hours drive of me.
Mylar or white panda film would be good choices for you I think based on what you are after.

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Found a whole bunch of places actually, going shopping today! I was thinking mylar would be available through the chain stores like HD or Menards but it turns out the stuff is at the smaller shops that sell hydroponic supplies. Thank you and Snow Crash for suggestions.

I've used all different kinds of paint, mylars, panda films, etc. I now use easygrow diamond diffusion film. Hands down the best type of reflective material you can buy. No doubt it's also by far the most expensive at about $150 per 100ft roll. It doesn't crease or tear like mylar, can be easily cleaned, and it disperses light unlike mylar which easily creates hotspots. Try it once and you will never go back to mylar. http://www.easy-grow.co.uk/products.html

just try to move Mylar after you put it up or clean it when you accidentally touch it...heh

No doubt......Forgot to mention easygrow doesn't fingerprint either.

I won't be using it next time. I'd rather use a sheet of something such as shiny insulation or something easier to work with

What about white 1/4 inch or 1/2 inch styrofoam?

Quick question on the foil: Is it ok for just over the lights? I have white walls, which I plan on repainting a brighter, flat white, and I was thinking of doing my entry wall with plywood covered in mylar or more flat white, but I wanted to do foil on the ceiling over the lights, to fill in the beams. It's not much space to fit something I could paint, and it would be a pain to hang anything with all the wiring and different level beams.

Me personally. I wouldn't stick AF anywhere near my light assembly. Causes heat spots and I'm sure it's prob electrically conductive. There's a reason why it can't be put into a microwave. I could be wrong but I wouldn't use it around my light