Why reflective grow tents?

[Bonsai Guy]

Hi all,



Just curious, but does zipping up a reflective mylar lined grow tent all the way actually serve a purpose? Or are grow tents really just for stealth growing? I'm wondering if zipping the tent up all the way really helps reflect light, or if if even makes a difference whether or not the tent is all the way zipped up. Dumb question, I know, but just wondering.

 

[loquacious]

You answered your own question!

 

[MircalGrow]

Yes Mylar is very reflective, and if you have a spot that light is leaking out of, you are not directing that light back to your plants. This can be a lot or a little depending. Only real way to know is a light meter. I have seen several ppl on here who have invested in such, and posted some minor changes to the walls and light positioning that have made some real differences in the intensity of light their plants received

 

[colonuggs]

containing your light increase your lumens per sq ft

 

[Bonsai Guy]

Ah, thanks all. I wasn't sure if the tents were truly to reflect as much light as possible, or if they were just to "grow stealthily." Now I know

 

[Doer]

What I do is wrap the outside in bubblefoil also. Just cut panels and tape together. It really help keep it from heating up as bad, inside.

The other thing to note in the grow stealth dept is no tent, I know of, is 100% light proof unless very expensive. So, keeping the light in and out is totally solved by bubblefoil panels as an outer box.

 

[Bonsai Guy]

Thanks! Speaking of reflectivity, do you think flat white paint or mylar is more reflective? I know it's been brought up before, but just gathering more opinions..

 

[loquacious]

Mylar, as white absorbs more light.

 

[Mad Hamish]

Mylar, as white absorbs more light.

Wrong. Flat white absorbs NOTHING, that is what makes it white. We're talking grade 5 science here. Mirrors absorb more light than flat white bro. What makes a mirror seem so clear in comparison has more to do with the smoothness of the surface. Mylar is great stuff, but as far as light absorption goes, flat white is king.

 

[no clue]

Substances appear white because their surfaces reflect back most of the light that strikes them and do not absorb some of its colors.

 

[FilthyFletch]

I use both mylar lined tents and white walled tents. Not too much difference in outcome really but Mylar is more reflective then flat white. Thats basic science and has been tested and proven over and over. The white may give a more even reflection thoiugh. Lightning Mylar is the most reflective of the mylars used.Yes keep tent closed as it reflects the light back into the tent instead of lost out the open front.

 

[Doer]

Thanks! Speaking of reflectivity, do you think flat white paint or mylar is more reflective? I know it's been brought up before, but just gathering more opinions..

Mylar is more reflective by far, but we DO NOT want that. We want diffusion. Light bouncing all round and round, at a million different angles. Refection is just one angle. There was Myth-busters about this. Lighting a tomb by reflection is impossible. Substitute polished brass and BINGO.

You can prove it yourself with a light meter. Flat white is much, much better for spreading the light around the room.

But, if you already have mylar, it is very good for protecting the drywall from infrared heat soaking. The trick is to ball it up tightly and let it go. That puts in all the tiny diffusion surfaces and let it hang loosely. Same thing with the White Panda plastic.

As I said, if you have a light meter you can measure how well it spread the light over just reflecting it.

 

[Bonsai Guy]

Mylar is more reflective by far, but we DO NOT want that. We want diffusion. Light bouncing all round and round, at a million different angles. Refection is just one angle. There was Myth-busters about this. Lighting a tomb by reflection is impossible. Substitute polished brass and BINGO.

You can prove it yourself with a light meter. Flat white is much, much better for spreading the light around the room.

But, if you already have mylar, it is very good for protecting the drywall from infrared heat soaking. The trick is to ball it up tightly and let it go. That puts in all the tiny diffusion surfaces and let it hang loosely. Same thing with the White Panda plastic.

As I said, if you have a light meter you can measure how well it spread the light over just reflecting it.

Ah so that is what I want. I had been wondering which was better, panda film or mylar, when it comes to distributing light. Now I've got my answer, thanks!

 

[lamopa]

Mylar, as white absorbs more light.

I think you meant "reflects" light, not absorb it. Black absorbs light....

 

[lamopa]

What I do is wrap the outside in bubblefoil also. Just cut panels and tape together. It really help keep it from heating up as bad, inside.

The other thing to note in the grow stealth dept is no tent, I know of, is 100% light proof unless very expensive. So, keeping the light in and out is totally solved by bubblefoil panels as an outer box.

I like this idea. Could you elaborate a bit more, how do you get the bubblefoil to stay on the tent? How do you access the doors and such? What about the vents?