Two Working HID Reflector for $2.50

Whats up people? I know a lot of you are like me and cant afford to drop hundreds of dollars on grow equipment all the time. So I try to be resourceful when i can. So here's how I was able to build 2 batwing (ish) style reflectors for only 2.50.

This is assuming you have a ballast, socket, and bulb.

Go down to home depot.

Get a 5 gallon bucket.

Cut it in half vertically.

The half circle shape of the bucket makes a good reflector while what was the bottom of the bucket is now the back, and a handy place to mount your socket.

Plus you get 2 if you cut it evenly.

Paint up the inside or wrap it in tin foil of something.

Mount some eye hooks on it and your done.

They work like a charm if you can make it reflective enough. It doesn't get to hot. I use these perfectly for my 600w Hps perfectly, but i fit my old school 1000w MH bulb in there with no problems.

So there you go you little stoners. Enjoy.

i will test it, but doesnt the plastic melt? Nicew idea though thanks dude

sounds liek a fire hazard.. i would paint it with fire retardent o.h.e.y.s.i. then wrap in mylar

like i said i use my 1000w mh in there with no issues and as far as i know thats the most heat producing bulb the people usually use for growing. The plastic wont melt, it barely gets warm. Ive been using them for a month now and the plants love it. Its not the best DIY reflector but it sure is the cheapest that i know of.

plus it took 10 minutes to make both. It literally took nothing but a 5 gallon bucket.

good idea but i wouldnt like to leave that for 3 days!!!! fire hazard........why not use a cardboard box and doe ther same?....................keep on tokin and jokin

wheres the pics for us visual learners

lee johnson said:

good idea but i wouldnt like to leave that for 3 days!!!! fire hazard........why not use a cardboard box and doe ther same?....................keep on tokin and jokin

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are you suggesting cardboard is less flammable than plastic? It may sound dangerous but its not. Ive been using them just fine for a month now. 18 hours a day. my bulb is at least 6 - 8 inches from the bucket on any side. and when i put my hand on the bucket it feels warm at best. Not enough to melt it, nowhere near enough for combustion. Its just an idea though. it works for me so u can take it or leave it, it wont hurt my feelings none when im smokin fatties of the frosty nuggets it helps grow.

am not saying cardboard is less flammable,just a idea,personally i weouldnt use either as ad rather go see my mate who owns a shop and get a wicked hood for 20 quid...........................for me always is SAFETY FIRST...................ROLL ON

and ps......................i smoke fattys everyday and have been for 12 years.......not being funny or anything.its good to hear new ideas......roll on

I'm no expert on geometry, but a circle, or half circle in this case, is less than ideal for reflecting light down. Light travels in a linear path. A circle encompasses the center point and all angles or segments point back directly to the center of the circle. I'm willing to bet you could light meter your light with and without the reflector and the difference would be nil...

Ok 1st off foil will never benifit you for any reflective purposes ever! 2nd the foil will just create heating problems. Go by the facts and it will get alot futher in growing buddy. Knowledge is dankness!!! One love!!

good points were made. im not saying this is the greatest ever. im sayin its hella cheap. Its better than nothing. Just putting a new idea out there.

you could cut part way around what would have been the base to open it up a little to make it less circular in shape. could work well with cfl's

yea you could probably modify and make it even better, like he said with the cartoon lesbians.

ya go for it. i getting an air cooled hood anyway, but im using this now and someone growing cheap, or stealth, or just starting may be able to make use of it. its just an idea. optimum effeciancy: No. Optimum efficiancy/ dollar: yes.

ive got hood for all my real lights already but i wouldnt mind using this with some cfls i got mounted to a power strip, even if it wouldnt direct the light well it would stop the massive light leak you get from bare CFLs just hanging without a reflector

suprablaski said:

ive got hood for all my real lights already but i wouldnt mind using this with some cfls i got mounted to a power strip, even if it wouldnt direct the light well it would stop the massive light leak you get from bare CFLs just hanging without a reflector

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there u go. it works for hid, cfl will be no problem, u can put severtal bulbs in there.

Nice reflector in a pinch but plastic buckets do have a melting point and a combustion point. And the difference between the two is not much. Why not spend a cpl extra bucks and just get a metal 5 gallon bucket and do the same thing. They sell those also at Home De "POT" and Lowes. Then paint the inside with a white water based paint....jmo