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Old December 4, 2012   #3
Hotwired
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Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Ithaca, NY - USDA 5b
Posts: 241
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I looked at that idea, as well as aluminum foil. Mirrors use rear surface Aluminum Coatings. Aluminum reflect 89%, while the glass transmits 96%. http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/4215/alumspect.jpg Actually I'm reflecting 82% (.96x.96x.89). As far as spectrum reflected, the soda-lime glass blocks about 40% of UV light below the 380μm range, which is outside the PAR curve. I'm starting seeds inside for transplant outside, so I really want more blue light. http://imageshack.us/a/img560/3693/daylightcflcurve.jpg

I ran a spectrograph on gloss white paint and found it reflected between 60% and 35% within the PAR curve. I didn't run a curve for flat white. I have to admit that, even though the reflectivity is much lower, the diffusing effect would provide better coverage but significantly less lumens.

As a retired optical engineer, I have spent significant time evaluating and running curves on commercial growlights, and as a byproduct of that effort I looked at different mediums for reflection. Actually Aluminum Foil works extremely well, except it is difficult to keep clean.

And by the way, a combination of daylight 6500k and Soft White 2800k fluorescent bulbs provide the best spectral output relative to PAR, and definitely the most bang for the buck.

Hotwired NY 5b
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