Which side do I use?

[TheDirtDoctor]

I'm having trouble trying to figure out which side of the aluminum foil to use to line my beginners grow box. I will eventually use mylar, but tight on money. I know one side is shinier but is that the side to have facing out with the plants and lights?

 

[kimchikush]

aluminum foil is not recommended, it can cause hot spots

 

[indica vet]

paint it flat white

 

[TheDirtDoctor]

What about using cheap car sun reflectors that use mylar? Just cut and glue it to the inside

 

[iwltfum]

What about using cheap car sun reflectors that use mylar? Just cut and glue it to the inside

You probably won't notice that much of a difference between covering it with a reflective metallic and covering it with white. I have never used mylar or tin foil for my grows, but every once in a while, I put up black and white polly plastic just to protect the walls from sprays. It's my opinion that metallic reflectives are good for light reflector hoods and not the walls

 

[TheDirtDoctor]

So should I use a flat white spray paint or roll it on?

 

[iwltfum]

I don't think it makes a difference to the plants, but if it's inside, you might want to roll it on so it doesn't get everywhere. My mom room has wood paneling that I haven't ever covered up. Seems to do fine. I think I would cover it with white if I wanted to bloom in there though.

 

[TheDirtDoctor]

The box that I am constructing is simply a cardboard standing closet that came with a metal beam to hang on. I had to modify it and cut a door for lower access. I'm using 2-3 bulb vanity lights with a y in each socket. I'm going to mount the two lights side by side giving me a total of 12 cfls. Any pointers?

 

[PTSD 4 ME]

If you are going to use foil then use the less reflective side out. I paint my walls flat white with good results. Mylar blankets are nice but for me finding them was an issue. I have used tin foil with fine results..... Even a can of semi gloss white paint being sprayed in there would be more then suffice. All your going for is to not loose light by being absorbed other places in your grow environment. White or tin foil tend to refect giving the light energy another chance to get to your plants.

 

[iwltfum]

The box that I am constructing is simply a cardboard standing closet that came with a metal beam to hang on. I had to modify it and cut a door for lower access. I'm using 2-3 bulb vanity lights with a y in each socket. I'm going to mount the two lights side by side giving me a total of 12 cfls. Any pointers?

Hopefully someone that is familiar with cfls will chime in. I've never used them to grow any kind of plants. What watt cfls are you using?

 

[TheDirtDoctor]

It true wattage is 23 and I think I have a set that might be higher like 40 something

 

[TheDirtDoctor]

I just went and bought some white spray paint. I'll be taking the box outside soon to paint it. I am also in the process of constructing my 12 light cfl chandelier. I will be posting pictures of everything once it starts rolling. Thanks for the helpful support. Any other information is always welcome.

 

[PTSD 4 ME]

Cant have to many CFL's.... Spectrum is a big thing with blues and whites so on.... A basic search will give you all you need to know about the CFL's. The Y sockets are a great idea and you can just daisy chain the lights together run a couple of fans to pull heat for safety issues and your good to go.

 

[PTSD 4 ME]

For the fan I suggest popping a PC fan off or buying one, cutting into a 2 wire cellphone charger hardwiring the fan and your good. I say this because with that many cfl's and light fixtures in one unit heat can become an issue and to aire on the side of caution that's a good step.

 

[TheDirtDoctor]

Yeah I've made computer fan like that before but I also have a 6 inch clip fan that I plan on using

 

[PTSD 4 ME]

That would be more then suffice. CFL grows are super cheap and a good way to go if you are keeping things small, should produce some fine plants. You should make a journal of your grow and post it here, so that way we can follow you on your grow and help out where we can.

 

[TheDirtDoctor]

I will definitely do that. Thanks!

 

[TheDirtDoctor]

Ok, I have the box painted and dry. But how do I get rid of the paint smell? Can this harm the growth of any plants in the future? And since I'm new at this, how do I post pictures?

 

[PTSD 4 ME]

Just let it air out, run a fan on it for a bit wont take but a day or even a overnight with a fan. There is a gallery tab on the upper left of the tabs for this site. Once you click gallery there is a upload option.

 

[AKgramma]

The box that I am constructing is simply a cardboard standing closet that came with a metal beam to hang on. I had to modify it and cut a door for lower access. I'm using 2-3 bulb vanity lights with a y in each socket. I'm going to mount the two lights side by side giving me a total of 12 cfls. Any pointers?

Cardboard is very flammable. I don't recommend using lights, not even cfls, in a cardboard box.