New Grower Best LED reflective material

[lloyd]

Hey Ya'll,
Considering everyone's unique experience, I hope the collective answers can be generalized to aid the forum here. Thanks in advance!

Q: In your opinion, what is the most economical reflective material to use with small LED grow rooms?

 

[epenguin]

If cost is the most important factor, then I would say brilliant white gloss or matt emulsion. If budget allows, then mylar.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mylar-Reflective-Sheeting-90-95-reflective/dp/B004X5TZZO

cheers eP.

 

[namvet25]

Mylar is still one of the best,But with LEDS it doesn't matter much because refected light from LEDS is almost worthless .

 

[AndyBotwin]

I've seen some tests done on other sites with a light meter, and mylar always tops the list. Flat white is preferred over glossy because it diffuses the light and distributes it evenly around the space. Glossy is a bit more reflective but at a sharper angle much like a billiard ball bouncing off a rail. So you end up with more light reflected towards the floor of the space rather than the center where the plants are. But like namvet says, all of this really only applies to HID lights since LED and flouro don't reflect much worthwhile light at all. I'd say that even with HID it would take a lot of grows to justify the cost difference between mylar and flat white paint. Not to mention mylar 'fogs' over time and loses reflectivity.

 

[lloyd]

So, should reflective surfaces even be a factor for LED grows?

 

[RebelRoy]

when i build my diy grow box for my GN Led.. i just spray painted the walls white..mylar wasnt worth it for me.. looks to reflect ok in there with the paint anyways .. but like Nam said..it doesnt matter much with leds :Sharing One:

 

[epenguin]

Thanks guys for such informative replies. I had heard that matt was better than gloss emulsion paint, so I'm glad you confirmed that.
Interesting to know that the reflective light from LED's is so poor. So, to answer lloyds question I would paint it white. Its cheap, looks good and you know it is clean n tidy. cheers, eP.

 

[lloyd]

Cool...thanks,
I will be using a small closet that is painted with white semi-gloss or satin...not sure which but it's not flat or gloss.

Thanks for your answers guys, I'm glad I started this thread today because my LEDs just arrived...Woo Hoo!! I got a couple of these:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005WFW7KO?tag=autoflowering-20&camp=213381&creative=390973&linkCode=as4&creativeASIN=B005WFW7KO&adid=0MPR4VKZ7BZWAAJPW05P&&ref-refURL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.autoflowering-cannabis.com%2Fled-autoflower-growing.html.

I heard they were bright, but didn't know they would be this bright, no wonder the plants respond so well. Once I set things up and find something to block the bright pink/blue lazer beams shooting through the cracks around the closet door, I'll give another update.

 

[Muddy]

Not sure I agree about reflected light from LEDs being worthless. I see a big difference in my hydro room where the two plants in the corners which are getting reflected light from two sides have been the biggest plants over the two grows I've done so far. All the other plants are only getting reflected light from one side and are significantly smaller.

 

[EverythingsHazy]

Not sure I agree about reflected light from LEDs being worthless. I see a big difference in my hydro room where the two plants in the corners which are getting reflected light from two sides have been the biggest plants over the two grows I've done so far. All the other plants are only getting reflected light from one side and are significantly smaller.

Also, facing downwards, my lux meter showed a lot more lux when held above a Mylar floor than a dark carpet.

And the tent is kind of difficult to look at for too long before you feel your eyes start to strain from the reflection. IMO it's definitely worth it unless you have enough money to cover the entire ceiling of your box with led panels. They usually have a pretty straight light angle so the reflectivity helps boost up the area right around the focused light under the diodes. All just opinion anyway, but it definitely is bright enough to be a little uncomfortable to the human eyes looking at the Mylar, and also it makes picture taking almost completely purple so a lot of light IS being reflected for that to happen.