Increase the efficiency of your grow lights by 75% with these simple tips
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- Опубликовано: 1 окт 2024
- Grow lights can be expensive, in this video, Luke shows you how to use your grow lights to make them more efficient.
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Mylar space blankets are $1, add in some cloths pins and you can build your own grow tent by wrapping a shelf in them.
That's what I did but I built a frame using PVC pipe I had laying around and wrapped it in the mylar blankets
Agreed I added one of those $3 mylar blankets you get in the camping section at Walmart to the front of my plant stand which also has a clear PVC tablecloths. My temperature almost went immediately from 72 degrees to 85. This kind of scared me
I can't remember where I read it. I heard it, but you can get some kind of a dust off that mylar that maybe it's not healthy to have around all the time as you're working with it.
That is what I did as well mylar is great. I just made a tent over my grow light
That's better than my idea. I took cardboard and covered one side with aluminum foil.
I use the chrome bubble wrap insulation. It's cheap and easy to work with. Big box stores sell it.
We used Mylar emergency blankets wrapped around entire shelving unit overlapped in front for a makeshift door in the middle. All light kept inside. They’re cheaper than most spray paint and easy to find. Amazon dollar store big box stores… it does make a huge difference! Thanks MiGardener! Love your videos.
I did the same. I have them hanging on the back wall and even that much helps a lot!
Same. I have been using them for years and have never started a fire😉. They also hold in the warmth for seeds that require it.
I do this as well. only 3 bucks on Amazon and lasts at least a couple seasons
I just noticed I made the same observation not noticing you had already done so! So it's time to give you a thumbs up! 😊 👍
I 've used the Mylar emergency blankets as well as the light colored sheets.
I love this community and how the knowledge base keeps growing, and we all help each other. God bless you all. And again thank you Luke for always providing great information and helping us grow big, not only in our garden but in our minds, especially in these times. ❌⭕️♥️
One tip if you are using shop lights to start seeds is take the diffuser cover off if you can. It will increase the light output.
Lots of comments say aluminum foil. If you go that way I would suggest crimping/crinkling it up a bit first. Then straighten it back out. The uneven surface will give a much better diffusion/distribution of light and not create that spotlight effect.
Terry
Great advice.. especially if they're using high intensity lights like halogen, high pressure sodium or leds..
Weaker lights like fluorescent tubes don't put off enough light for hot spots to become an issue
I used alfoil, its the same thing, i found i got better results from the dull side rather than the shiny side, i think it might spread the light more evenly,
The best cheapest option I have found is survival blankets you get at the dollar store. Super reflective and cheap, you can wrap it around s piece of cardboard if you need it to stand alone.
I use the mylar emergency blankets you can get. They are cheap and work great
Same! 10 large blankets for under $10 on Amazon.. 2 wrap my entire metal bakers rack.
i am using LED shoplights.
I wrap my whole seed starting rack in mylar film 😊
It completely eliminates the need for heat mats because the heat from the lights are so much warmer because of the film holding moisture, warmth and light!
Two layers of mylar film keeps the room dark since I keep my grow lights on at night when we're home.
I highly recommend Mylar film. ❤️
How do you deal with mold growth is what I wonder!
@@G-boi A fan, a mixture of baking soda and water, you can use vermiculite/perlite to put on top of the soil or most importantly not to over water.
ruclips.net/video/LhGuq6Bt1Xo/видео.html
Talking about flat white paint reminds me of the Mythbusters episode where they tried light a "tomb" with a series of mirrors to bring in light from outside. At the end of all the Fancy testing, they had one mirror directing light into the room and Jamie stepped into the ray and his white button down shirt lit the whole room brighter and more evenly than all their other tests.
Just used a pure white dollar tree craft cardboard I had laying around , used some clothes pins to secure it on my shelf and wow , what a difference ! Thank you do much , great tipp ! I am a beginner and have just 2 Micro green, 1/4 trays .5 days old and I can see a huge difference
I didn't know they carries such crafting materials as white cardboard.
I have sun shields for a small car I used to have. They're matte silver, so not very shiny. Would they work?
Luke - I did some extensive tests a few years back with a light meter (about $50 somewhere online.) Using same T5HO bulbs (Sun Systems?), at $0.12/kWh the 24/7 cost is about $37 per month. I measured points across the table on a grid, and then summed the readings across the table with and without white foam board walls (Elmer's project display type, at Walmart for about $3 per panel.) The increase in total light was about 30%, with the gain at the edges and corners. I don't think 75% is even remotely possible.
Did you mention the inverse square rule? If you bring the lights 20% closer to the table, the intensity will increase by 50+%. (1/.8)^2 = 1.56. Both closer lights and the enclosing effect of the reflector will increase the heat on the plants significantly. A fan may be needed. Seedlings are susceptible to drying out; yet a humidity dome reduces the light.
Indoor light is extremely expensive. Great for starters, but I don't think it is economical for anything other than micro's and medicinal herbs. Note that the herbs growers use reflectors to avoid drawing attention to the amount of light, and reducing power consumption also helps them keep a lower profile on their electric bill.
Note that the full-scale micro green farmers do not use reflectors.
A greenhouse is probably better, as the light is better, and the cost of heating is far less than the cost of light. (Basement = free heat, expensive light. Greenhouse = free light, expensive heat, but a lot of free heat when the sun is shining.
Finally, I found the T5HO lamps to be expensive, with a replacement cost of about $100+ for an 8 bulb fixture. Also, the light output declines over time, so you get these awkward decision points - do I pay an extra $10 to replace a bulb, or do I have to live with a 20+% reduction in light output on an aging bulb? Given the better lumens/W efficiency of LEDs, the declining cost of LED bulbs, the fact that fluorescent bulbs are a breaking hazard (with mercury contamination!) and possibly a disposal fee, I don't know why anyone would start with anything other than LED's now.
Ever solution brings a new problem.
I was wondering about LEDs myself.
I have a 12×28 foot hoop house covered with a white tarp. My scheme is to make it into an indoor grow facility. NO! Not for Marijuana. I haven't done all the research yet but I'm hoping that LED lights will work. The inside will be foamed, and I'll have heater/Ac unit to regulate the temp.
And everything will be grounded.
White foam boards? I bet the 75% he's talking about was mylar foil.
I've been using cardboard covered with aluminum foil ( that lasts forever). Gardener Scott made me think of it years ago. Never thought about other methods before. I'm always learning, ty 😊
I do the same and it works well…
Foil is not a good idea.
Think of a magnifying glass.
@@assog5737I was thinking foil would work since it’s similar to the Mylar blanket. I have been using foil successfully but certainly no expert. I’d be curious to know why.
This is very helpful! I just set up my lights and was wondering how to reflect the light back on my plants. I’m so glad you prevented me from experimenting with mirrors!
What about aluminum foil? It seems that aluminum reflectors are pretty common.
Yes I use cardboard wrapped with aluminum foil works out perfectly. Make once & reuse for many years! Happy growing
Better than nothing but it'll need backing otherwise it'd tear
Diamond pattern mylar is relatively inexpensive, you can get rolls of it online and make really effective reflectors.
I've got five mature pepper plants, about a dozen cacti and a few house plants I'm plant sitting for relatives that are out of state in my basement currently. Also have a shelf surrounded with mylar with a few dozen succulents and bonsai too.
Can I use foil? Or is that the same as using mirrors? I apologize if he touched on this already (I'm trying to watch this while comforting a baby who's extra grumpy this morning because of teething)
What about silver Mylar type material? Would it work?
Thank you so much for the reflector tip. My back wall is a dark brick wall that just absorbs light and I have always had trouble with getting enough light to my plants indoors. This might do the trick!
Another white thing that you might have already are totes' lids which are white. So if you are already sitting on them, free reflectors right there. :)
Thanks. Great idea!
@@Nancy-zk9dj Aww, you are so much always welcome. :)
I scored a 25 foot roll of the silver window film and a silver windshield shade at the thrift store today for $4. I used aluminum foil lined in a box for a couple years in a window before I had grow lights or a greenhouse and that alone took me from leggy tomato seedlings to lush healthy seedlings, you seriously couldn't tell they were started inside with no lights.
I love your energy and enthusiasm. Bless you and this beautiful community.
Thanks! I didn't realize the reflector made such a difference! I'll be hitting the dollar store to look for mylar blankets this weekend. Thanks Luke and everyone for the great information
What is better? A grow tent with the foil like sides, or the white? Thank you for all of your information and wonderful content Luke!!
💕~Cheryl~💕
A grow tent. The white cardboard is the cheaper alternative to legit grow tents.
@@clintonross1649 thank you
I hope one day you add feijoa (Acca sellowiana) and/or Chilean guava berry (ugni molinae) seeds to your tropical catalogue. They make great potted plants are delicious and cold hardy to -10 atleast. I suspect much colder in a few generations. I'd love to grow these outdoors in summer and as house plants during winter! The valdivian temperate rainforests are very similar to British colombia
I wrap the shelves I start my seeds on in Mylar blankets. The frames for the shelves are metal so I can secure them in place with magnets. Can't wait to see how my plants do this year, I just bought eight new Barrina LED grow lights.
I use sheets hanging near to {but not onto} my grow lights. I initially began doing this because my seed starting station is near our back door when someone opens it up a draft comes inside & winters here are cold. I used light colored sheets to keep the draft off my seedlings and with the side benefit of bouncing & utilizing the reflected light😀👍.
Fantastic! Thank you! I saved the sheets of styrofoam that my fridge came wrapped up in. I had a feeling I might need them at some point! I bought a heat mat (to sprout the seeds) and some seed trays that have removable grow lights in the heightened lids which I'll turn on after the seeds have sprouted. I'll use the Styrofoam to build a box around the seed trays. You're just full of great ideas and I love watching your channel.
Poster board is cheaper than spray paint- and less work!
That's probably your best option indeed.
The plate really proved your tip
I have used the thin, reflective insulation sheets behind my shelves ☺️
What about aluminum foil? I put that around my shelving and lights.
For just a couple bucks you can get a stack of mylar emergency blankets. I made a shower curtain out of them. Wow what a difference
I've been starting plants for over 40 years and wondered about this. Thanks for this useful information! Great video.
Another great learning video as always! Thank you Luke. Blessings on your day Kiddo!🥰🌻🐛💕
Thanks SO much. I learn so much from you. I had the wrong Kelvin rating & replaced my lights. I am in the process right now of moving my set-up to another area of my house and setting up my new lights. I'm excited about using reflectors. This is the first year I am really counting on my seedlings, and I'm getting a late start because of the wrong lights, but i am optimistic about this working much better. Thanks again!
I put mine in front of a window with reflectors on the other 3 sides. I try to remember to close my white shade at night to create another reflector well I have the lights running.
The meat I buy from the farm comes in cardboard boxes with (foil backed cardboard) inserts. I keep all of them and reuse them for my grow lights
Luke thanks so much I am using a space where my house plants grow with the use of small plant lite. I'm adding Lettuce and starting a few herbs and using cardboard from dollar tree. Tyfs.
@migardener5759 Hi Luke, getting inside going this week then outside to enclose area to keep dog out. Tfs so info & encouragement!
I use mylar blankets too. I ended up having to raise my light's higher above my seedlings because it was too bright 🌞
Thanks, Luke! This was very informative and I will definitely put this into practice.
Or buy led light more energy savings less light leek an hot spot or you can buy a grow tent
I learned a lot, as always. Thanks Luke! This is the firat time I am starting seeds inside, I have 2 small grow lights, and will be running to the dollar tree to get some poster board.
For cheap you can painters tape aluminum foil to make a reflector. You may want to fold edge so fan doesn't blow it about.
I always learn something from your videos. Thank you for reminding me to persevere even when my cat digs up my seeds in the trays.
Ty so much for this video! It's been the best video for indoor growing!!! I had no idea about the reflective lightening, but it makes SO much sense!! Something so small can make such the difference!
Increase by 200% if you just lowered them and put a fan on.
Good idea. My plant look WEAK under the grow lights. I bring them outside for the warm part of the day.
The Big Box hardware stores sell white tempered hardboard paneling for under $20 for a 4'X8' sheet. If you are using chrome steel shelving units, you can get 6 panels from each sheet.
The cost for the lighting operation costs seem high. Compact florescent lamps typically only use 25 watts of power per bulb.
Most of the grow lights you'll find today are LED which take less than 10 watts per light strip. If in doubt on energy consumption, get a P3 Kill-o-watt unit and plug your lights in. This will give actual use not a theoretical.
I use a power strip with a timer. My lights go on the timed portion, the heat blankets run on the full time power side. Simple to have the lights turn themselves on and off without having to schedule a plant check. Now to just keep the cats out of their catnip seedlings until outdoor transplanting.
Luke this also works in your solar generators also !!! I do this in in the Winter time GLOSSY is the best for the SOLAR panels !!! I have my generators redone in the winter time inside of the house from the window going through to the next door WHITE HOUSE next to me !!! This is how I also grow the broccoli cabbage tomato plants in the house in winter time !!!
Start w white cardboard to begin with 🤯🤦♂️🤷♂️
What about dual lighting? I've been keeping my plants in a south facing window with an LED grow light over them. Do I need both or should the grow light be off during the day? How would the combo affect the hardening off process?
I leave mine on during the day even with a southern glass door shelving area. You will still need to harden them off for the strength of unfiltered (by glass) real sunshine.
That does it. I'm cutting up some white poster board and adding it to my window box.
Going to make some reflectors tomorrow. Probably going to use emergency blankets. I have used them in the past thinking about increasing heat a couple degrees. Never even thought about the light. Thanks.
I just setup a stainless steel shelf unit for starting seedlings for my raised beds. I bought a roll of reflective bubble wrap to reflect back as much light as possible. Really effective in bouncing back lost light placed leftover wrap under plants also! Best $10.00 spent! Btw using Spider farmer SF 1000 EVO 2024
Everything is thriving.
Hoping that you can help me with my grow light height(s). Seedling and beyond. My grow light is a (4) bulb (2’ x 4’) T-5, 54 watt, 5,000 lumens per bulb set-up.
Thank you!
We just bought some LED high bay lights for our basement hydroponics (we’re in the planning stage), and my thought was to line the inside of a very large box with foil. I’m reading a lot of conflicting information, one person saying the foil can cause hot spots, the other saying that foil doesn’t reflect enough light to do that. Does turning the foil to the duller side make a good difference? I’m kind of confused.
Mirrors can help too. Depends on the angle.
Aluminum pie pans/foil under plants but on top of soil can reflect light upwards too. That method can help repel some insects too.
Good info and I like the shorter videos. I am a busy woman and my time is limited so I love short informative videos!
Very cool. Great subject. Well done! Wondering about draping some white diffusion in front of the light. To soften it and make it weave its way down through the leaves a bit better. The light will spread doing this and these reflectors would be perfect to catch it and bounce it back in. Theatrical diffusion some call it. Rosco Gel sells it. I’m thinking 1/2, 216 which is one type.
@MIGardener I think you've been hacked and your picture was stolen. Unless you're really offering all of us a "price" 😂. See the replies to all the comments. Hopefully no one falls for it.
I have a small older mini green house 2.5ftw by 1.5 deep ,I'm using to start seedlings inside ,and want to know what lights I should use ? Any help appreciated !!
Not sure I agree with the logic against using mirrors... to create an actual focus spot like that, you'd have to use either curved mirrors or multiple small mirrors with angles all directing to that focus spot.
That said, outside of maybe a mirror mounted on the wall behind your setup, mirrors wouldn't be very practical.
I did my first little indoor growing this year (started about a month ago)... I used a roll of thin foam with a silvery, fairly reflective finish I had lying around (not sure what it's original purpose was, maybe insulating ducts?).
That did the trick quite nicely as well as better containing the heat within the small area.
They sell the paint that's used to paint the middle reflector lines on roads at Lowe's, it's recommended for painting basements. I wonder if this product could be used for plant reflectors. I have heard of paint that's used to paint a movie screen on the wall for visual media to be projected on, I also wonder how this would work in the grow room. Neither of these products looks like high gloss white paint. Thanks, Luke. What's your take on these paint products?
Cloudy day outside are more powerful than any indoor growing light 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
I have a white wall with silver car window frost/heat protection sheet taped onto my growlight armature which works perfect for this application👍.
Bright white is drastically more reflective than mylar blankets or foil bubble wrap insulation.
I have the walls covered with greenhouse Mylar and a hood made of the same material.
Hey Luke…we are going on vacay for a week. I am trying to germinate some seeds. Is it okay to leave the lights on them the entire time we are gone? I did attempt to use some timers, but for some reason they WILL turn off the lights, but they won’t turn them back on 🤔🤨 thanks
There's a pack of seeds between your boxes? Was than Easter egg lmao??? Or just random
I've got some reflective foam-filled foil sheeting. Would that work?
Excellent thank you from Ireland 🇮🇪
Thanks Luke, as always you are so helpful. Peace ✌ ☮ 🕊 and Blessings. Trying to keep my plants 🪴 cool 😎 Sunny Florida and it's been mid.80 already.
Good god Just say the cannabis industry #endthestigma. Nobody talks about the drunk industry like the cannabis one
I use silver mylar space blankets (emergency blankets) since they cost just over $1
I wish you would have metered it. Real numbers are important and it would be nice to see angle comparison and the flat vs gloss paint hypothesis.
I am setting up a new seed starting area in my heated garage and I am great ful for this tip. I have not considered using reflectors to capture the lost light. Thank you.
I have a 14' x 8' room in my basement that I would like to turn into a grow room. I plan on using reflective walls but am not sure the best grow lights to use (and how many). The room is only about 6' high. LED lights are very expensive, not sure if I can afford to go that route. Any suggestions??
I bought my led some on wish, some led like fluorescent you can get cheaply at lowes...some I've gotten on fb marketplace
Put a reflecting surface under the plants! That's how you can also discourage any pests that like to hide on the underside of leaves.
The front of the grow shelf is by far the most effective place to put a reflector - not behind as shown in the video, which had a white/pale green wall anyway.
Can I ask what grow lights these are? I am looking for some new grow lights, I'd love suggestion on what you are using.
Can I have some colorful carrots seeds since I have to breathe you’re spray paint now .
20 a month .. and you only get 80 dollars worth of lettuce ? Lmao your growing the wrong crop
Would love to see some videos troubleshooting common indoor growing issues! I've been seeing what looks like burn on my lettuce despite not being super close to the lights!
I think I will try regular Reynolds aluminum foil. It should work.
You’re so darn smart & handsome 😅 Love the content. -TOgardener
I like the painted cardboard because it's free solid and can easily be adjusted in size and direction. Thankyou so much.
Watch out there is a scammer sending messages saying that you won a prize Do Not Call them
Did he ever address the mylar question? Does it fall into the same category as mirrors?
Wait… not mirrors? How about all those grow tents and all that are lined with mylar?
Remember to run your lights at night when electricity is cheaper.
You're a great teacher Luke ❤️
Alternate title:
"Your Best Light Now"
i turn mylar potato chip bags inside out and use the shiny side facing lights
I honestly beg to differ. I grow cannabis professionally indoors and many new LED light setups with UV-B aid immensely. Light is all based on PAR or PPFD and I can easily hit what I need with lights depending on wattage of the light and how strong the diodes are. For Vegetative stage you need 3-500 PPFD and flower upwards of 900 PPFD or ųMol. You can even have too much light and damage your plants and hinder growth! So you can easily mimic the outside. You will never hit the exact spectrums and conditions as outdoors, but, you can mimic light strength intensity. So just food for thought!
Is white better than silver/mirrored?
Is this a decent light to start seeds:
Specifications:
2.5' grow light
120-volt
On/off switch
64 white LEDs(6500K) +40 white LEDs (5000K) + 40 warm white LEDs (4000K)+ 16 red LEDs (wavelength 630-640NM)+32 red LEDs (wavelength 655-660NM)
White finish
Full spectrum LED grow light
Designed to provide benefits of natural sunlight for different stages of germination and growth
Ideal for seed germination, fruiting and maintaining plants
What about aluminum foil on cardboard? Would that do as the same as a mirror?
It would do the same as a mirror which is what you do not want
I use it for 10+ years no issues at all. It works fine for me & I grow thousand plus transplants each season. Annual Flowers, herbs, veggies don't seem to mind at all. I use both sides of my shelves and ends creating a box.
Thank you for that tip. Such an easy thing to think of…but I never did😊