Something To Reflect On.

[redirasta]

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.

 

[cougarslayer]

Thats interesting.

 

[crazyoutlaw]

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]

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?)

 

[bucky]

oh yeah also cds break up the light spectrum

 

[crazyoutlaw]

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?)

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]

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.

 

[MrFishy]

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

 

[bucky]

hell yes i love stealing from cemeteries

 

[Ravioli]

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

 

[crazyoutlaw]

cd???????????????

 

[MetalSmelter]

Ravoli, how well does it work, and how far will that $1 go? IE sq ft?

 

[crazyoutlaw]

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]

Ravoli, how well does it work, and how far will that $1 go? IE sq ft?

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]

Styrofoam cooler????!!!

 

[smoove]

Is $13.95 for a 25 ft. roll of Mylar too much money? lol

...or how about a can of Flat White Paint at a lofty $7.88!

 

[crazyoutlaw]

.........................................styrofoam?

 

[MrFishy]

.........................................styrofoam?

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?

 

[crazyoutlaw]

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?

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]

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.