New Box Idea

[Redwood Ryan]

Hey all,



The semester is finally coming to an end, so I've got more free time. I've been working on setting up a new grow box. This one, however, won't be fully enclosed. I plan on building a wooden frame, then surrounding it with plywood. Everything will be painted flat white. The idea behind this is the fact that flat white is great at reflecting light. I am not going to fully enclose the box, I'll probably leave the front open and stick a fan in front to circulate air. I just really want to get as much light bouncing around the setup as possible.



We'll see how effective this is.

 

[nathanbs]

wouldn't gloss white be better at reflecting light?

 

[Redwood Ryan]

wouldn't gloss white be better at reflecting light?

You'd think, but no. The problem with gloss white is that it tends to create hot spots. Flat white and mylar are the best at reflecting light.

 

[edprocoat]

I know from painting in my business that gloss or flat does not effect the LRV (Light Reflective Value) of white paint. Its more to do with the RGB values of the paint, yes whites do have colors in them. The industry standard best reflective white paint is Sherwin-Williams SW 7757 High Reflective White which has a RGB value of R-248 | G-249 | B-243. Its LRV is 94 while most pure whites are 70-72

ed

 

[jkd2572]

How about mirrors?

 

[Redwood Ryan]

How about mirrors?

Mirrors create bad hot spots, and are much worse than other choices.

 

[Redwood Ryan]

I know from painting in my business that gloss or flat does not effect the LRV (Light Reflective Value) of white paint. Its more to do with the RGB values of the paint, yes whites do have colors in them. The industry standard best reflective white paint is Sherwin-Williams SW 7757 High Reflective White which has a RGB value of R-248 | G-249 | B-243. Its LRV is 94 while most pure whites are 70-72

ed

I would've gone with that, but couldn't find any. Flat white is flat white to me, won't make much of a difference in terms of reflection.

It's actually suggested on all the MJ forums that flat white is the way to go, so that's what I'm going with. They've got years of experience with growing using the stuff

 

[sikadelic]

Is this for sprouting seedlings or pre-bonsai and finished trees?

 

[Redwood Ryan]

Is this for sprouting seedlings or pre-bonsai and finished trees?

Everything really. I don't currently have seedlings, but am planning on sprouting some of the rarer, harder to find kinds of Ficus. I've got 5 T5 fixtures, so I have plenty of light.

 

[Redwood Ryan]

Currently tearing down the old and building a new frame to replace this cracked one.

 

[Redwood Ryan]

Wanna see what 20 HO T5 bulbs looks like? Check this out:







Obviously I need shelving, but that's a lotta light.

 

[md4958]

Wanna see what 20 HO T5 bulbs looks like? Check this out:

View attachment 44706


Obviously I need shelving, but that's a lotta light.

It's like a tanning bed in there!