Something To Reflect On.

redirasta

redirasta

Well-Known Member
Did you Know that clean white styrofoam is nearly 100% reflective?
Whereas, Mylar is only 90% reflective.Aluminum foil only reflects about 75% of the light. White paint relfects sbout 85% of the light, and semi-gloss paint relfects about 80%. Any light that does not reach your garden is wasted.
 
crazyoutlaw

crazyoutlaw

New Member
Man..I was just gonna make a new post regarding things that reflect light...Ive been thinkin'..what about CD's??The other side of the CD,the mirror like side??Will it work,cus I cant afford mylar right now!!

Also,evryone name a cheap alternative to mylar..such as wrapping paper,thermal blanket,etc
 
bucky

bucky

Active Member
i think the problem with cds might be similar to mirrors
the light has to pass through a layer of something, reflects off of the shiny stuff and then pass back through that layer of something whether it's glass or the treated plastic

i think i read the other day someone using the inside of potato chip bags (apparently they're made out of mylar?)
 
crazyoutlaw

crazyoutlaw

New Member
bucky said:
i think the problem with cds might be similar to mirrors
the light has to pass through a layer of something, reflects off of the shiny stuff and then pass back through that layer of something whether it's glass or the treated plastic

i think i read the other day someone using the inside of potato chip bags (apparently they're made out of mylar?)
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I cant believe I forgot the inside of chip bags!!But will this work??Man this thread needs more attention,cus when youre growing..more light=better plants...so we need a good cheap alternative to mylar..that can be found everywhere~!~!
 
smoove

smoove

Well-Known Member
How nearly is "nearly 100% reflective"?

Most Mylar retailers claim it is between 95% and 99% reflective. Link 1 Link 2 And this Wiki Page also claims it reflects up to 99% of light.

From Wiki Page:
Biaxially oriented PET film (mylar) can be aluminized by evaporating a thin film of metal onto it. The result is much less permeable to gasses (important in food packaging) and reflects up to 99% of light, including much of the infrared spectrum. For some applications like food packaging, the aluminized boPET film can be laminated with a layer of polyethylene, which provides sealability and improves puncture resistance. The polyethylene side of such a laminate appears dull and the PET side shiny.
Click to expand...
 
MrFishy

MrFishy

Well-Known Member
You can get 2' X 2' mylar squares from discarded flower arrangements at your local cemetery dumpsters, etc.
 
Ravioli

Ravioli

Well-Known Member
Go to the dollar store (or any variation of) and buy the reflective tissue paper. Works nicely, and only a dollar =)))
 
crazyoutlaw

crazyoutlaw

New Member
Man,does the styrofoam really work??Cus I might just buy a styrofoam cooler,and grow my plants in there!!With CFLs and a fan blowing inside of it!!
 
Ravioli

Ravioli

Well-Known Member
MetalSmelter said:
Ravoli, how well does it work, and how far will that $1 go? IE sq ft?
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The kind I bought came with 4 sheets, 36x36 or somewhere near there. Not sure on the reflectivity, considering the package didn't say what it was made of specifically, but I've heard it's made from a super-thin mylar variant. And, well, it works for me.
 
crazyoutlaw

crazyoutlaw

New Member
MrFishy said:
I'm waitin' w/ya . . . must insulate my area b4 winter and have a 4X8 sheet of what appears to be styro-foam . . . where's the beef?
:blsmoke:
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Then we must bump this thread like it was an 8Ball at a South Beach Gay Party in the 90's!!!!Will styrofoam reflect light??How bout chip bags!!Damn I need a reflectie matreila for my grow box!!
 
ganjagoddess

ganjagoddess

Well-Known Member
Mylar = 98% reflective
Flat white paint = 98% reflective
White Panda Film = 97% reflective

These three above are the best choice for reflecting light.

Then it goes

REFLECTIX tm = 94% reflective
Styrofoam = 90%

Aluminum foil = 37% reflective.
 
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