Aluminum Foil reflector. yay or nay?

SlightlyStoopid

SlightlyStoopid

Well-Known Member
Im making a DIY reflector for some CFL's... I know mylar would be best but I dont have jack shit for money and I dont want to go all the way down town to get it...

Questions being... if all I have is Aluminum foil, Should I use it?
 
PLEASE READ A GROW FAQ no foil sucks
just use a flat white wall the foil crinkles and creates hotspots and it also gets hot by itself these crinkles reflect at odd angles making your light useless by the plant
use a flat white surface go buy flat white.. using a reflector for cfls also isn't a great idea because they are so low intensity you need to have em close to your plant, all over not just on top.
 
If you have to use it, use the dull side out, will reduce the hot spots associated with using the polished side out. Better yet, get some flat white paint and paint the walls or interior of your grow box with it. No hot spots and you get good reflexive light.

Nim
 
Im using poster board and bending it with cloths hangers, do you think just the whitness of the posterboard will be reflective enough? or should I use aluminum foil... because ive heard alot of people say that it DOES work if you make sure to lay it flat... but then I understand about the hot spots and all that crap...
 
No dont use it. Ive read many times that foil is a bad idea. Save your pennies mate and get some mylar, its not very expensive...i'd say it was cheaper than foil. Ive recently got some diamond reflective sheeting but its very expensive for an extra 5% reflectiveness compared to mylar.

storm22 said:
using a reflector for cfls also isn't a great idea because they are so low intensity you need to have em close to your plant, all over not just on top.
Click to expand...

I always use cfls with a reflector for the top lights anyway, otherwise id just be wasting light. The only time i wouldnt is when i put them between plants.
 
haha uuuuhhhhggggg its like a 30 minute drive to get some mylar... ive searched EVERY hardware store around me and every party store. the only place I can get it is down town at my hydro shop... I mean... I can buy it no problemo... but If i could pull it off with aluminum foil it would be nice xD
 
haha. Your choice mate, if u do use foil do what Nimbliez said and use it dull side out.
I didnt even move when i got mine, just ordered it online like i do everything...im so damn lazy
 
SlightlyStoopid said:
Im making a DIY reflector for some CFL's... I know mylar would be best but I dont have jack shit for money and I dont want to go all the way down town to get it...

Questions being... if all I have is Aluminum foil, Should I use it?
Click to expand...
Hey man; I'm using aluminum foil on my walls. The shiny side is almost 90% reflective and the dull side is 80% reflective. I don't use a reflector; I put the lamp down between the plants for better coverage and I recommend you do the same.
 
hrmm... I have gold spray paint... haha nope... wont work... I could get high tho... uhg... I wanna get these seeds in the ground damnit!!! but I cant until I get some mylar...
 
They will grow without it. Id plant them and get your reflection sorted later on. I dont think it matters to much in the very early stages
 
meh... I still needa get some decent seeds to... man... Im in the shitter right now... I have no money for seeds, no money for mylar... I have everything else tho... I got the lights... some foxfarm... everything haha just needs seeds and mylar then im golden... well... green ;)
 
I've been using tin foil and getting burnt plants! just put posterboard for 3 week old plants! goodluck man...one thing dont work try another! learn learn learn!
 
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