Mylar vs. ORCA Grow Film vs. Flat White Paint

jcdws602

Well-Known Member
That orca film is damn expensive........25 foot roll by 54 inches is about 60 us dollars online (shipping is included).......anybody find it cheaper??
 

jcdws602

Well-Known Member
Yeah thats not what I was asking........I'm just looking for the best deal before getting some........
 

stelthy

Well-Known Member
When I have finished my latest grow.. I WILL be upgrading to Orca, I too made a thread on this stuff and its honestly awesome :) I can't wait to re-decorate, I am using Diamond Mylar at the moment and it works great, but seeing the better potential of Orca Film its defo what I am gonna do :) it IS hella expensive my local Hydro Store sells a roll for approx 90 quid it may cost a bit more lol .. But I am pretty sure that the difference in yield will more than make up for it :) - STELTHY :leaf:
 

scarhole2

Active Member
LMFAO at the guy who is using mirrors. There are a million different resources telling people that mirrors actually ABSORB light...yet..here he is with mirrors in his "cab". I guess its kind of dick thing to say but I rarely listen to anyone growing in a cab.
Mirrors do " absorb" about 5-7 % to refraction, but 95% is reflected back.
Read your physics about mirrors.

Obviously if I grow for personal use an don't sell I would use less space.
But you interpit this as ignorance?
Shameful.
 

scarhole2

Active Member
If I flashed you driving by with a white board nothing would happen. (diffuse reflection / lambert scatter)
If I flashed you driving by with a mirror you'd be blinded by intensity of the light reflection (specular reflection).

Do you really think white with is weekend diffuse reflection is sending more light back?
It scatters the light in every direction?

Specular reflection by definition is stronger in one viewing direction, i.e., there is a bright spot, called a specular highlight.




 

legallyflying

Well-Known Member
Yes. And it is this specular reflection that is going to create hot spots that burn your plants. I care not dude, put fucking magnifying glasses on the wall; just don't tell people that don't know better that it is a viable option.

While it would be cool to have all walls covered in mirrors so it looks like you have a million plants, it is not the preferred covering.
 

scarhole2

Active Member
Its very viable, I ve done it for years.
I run 300 w of Hid in a 3x3x2 cab that is lined with mirrors.

Hid bulbs make hot spots, I call it light.

There is no detectable temp increase with mirrors in my cab.
I've checked, alot.

Search for " SCARHOLE perpetual grow "to see proof.
I'm not a noob, they banned me so I don't have 10 bars of rep here anymore.
 

TinyGrow

Active Member
Ive never grown with mylar, I have always used flat white paint. I cant say if one is better but my friend has his HUGE grow room entirely wrapped in mylar and personally I dont notice a difference between his plants and mine.

We use the same seeds, he uses HPS and MH and I used Daylight CFLs and TCP Springlights. We get nearly (within 1/4 oz) the same harvest same look same texture same everything. Its all about how much light you give to your plants.
-
 

jdmcwestevo

Well-Known Member
orca film is the best. it splits light and spreads it instead of just redirecting it. you have to experience it to understand that is all i use in my rooms.
 

skunkd0c

Well-Known Member
the diamond mylar is better than the regular mylar since it doesn't crease i found regular mylar very thin flimsy and not durable can also cause hot spots when it gets creases in it ..
can also use the white/black/white reflective plastic for a cheaper option thats about 85% reflective .. flat white paint is also a good option the amount that one is better than the other is too small for me to worry, ill go with what doesn't seem to expensive and what is durable and can be used over and over

never used the ocra it sounds good, worth the extra cost, who knows .. i might pick some up next time i visit the rip off store .. sorry hydro store :)
 

afrawfraw

Well-Known Member
IMO, mirrors are a poor choice UNLESS you are using PRIMARILY VERTICAL bulbs. As the light travels down, it sheds lumens. If the spectrum is redirected with no interference, it's going towards the floor, and has to travel the same distance to reach the area under the light. VERTICAL bulbs can use mirrors more efficiently. BEFORE any one insults me, no I don't have any flippin' mirrors in my room.
 

legallyflying

Well-Known Member
Phew. I thought for a minute you were going to give Portland a bad name by telling people you have mirrors in your grow room
 

gabb

Active Member
LMFAO at the guy who is using mirrors. There are a million different resources telling people that mirrors actually ABSORB light...yet..here he is with mirrors in his "cab". I guess its kind of dick thing to say but I rarely listen to anyone growing in a cabinent. LOL

Anyways, if you have the cash, the orca film is pretty damn nice. The shit is STRONG. Like seriously strong! I think its actually some kind of house wrap product or what not, but only in white with no printing. It was worth the money for my situation. Its bright as fuck, tough as nails, and cleans easily.
Funny shit dude! And spot on with regard to reflectivity.
Thx!
 

Wolverine97

Well-Known Member
Orca FTW. I just finished putting it up in my new room, and while it's pricey like everyone says, it is money well spent. It cost me $200 out the door for a 54"x100' roll, but if it only increases available light by 5% over panda/diamond/whatever then I don't see that as a cost...
 

budwich

Well-Known Member
I just painted new room in Elastomatic Roof Paint. 97% reflective, anti mold/mildew agents already in it. 5 gallon bucket was $60
 
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