Parabolic Dome Reflector OR Standard Sunbeam Reflector

I am thinking about going back to my Parabolic Horizontal Dome Reflector in my flowering room and want to get some farming public opinion before doing so. I have attached two photos for your voting pleasure. One is from an old set up with the dome and one from my current set up. Unless my eyes are playing tricks on me, it looks like the dome is reflecting twice as much light. I was told in the past for 5'x5' areas dome are very efficient. Whatcha think??

Neither Full size ajust-a-wings.

They both have their uses. If cooling is not a problem, then the parabolic reflector is the shit. If you need to cool it for a smaller area, then the other one.

It is really hard to compare because in the one you have mylar and the 2nd you have panda film.

When I removed the mylar from my walls and painted them white it seemed that there was much more reflected light.

I would say that you know how your grows go and should have an idea which one works best for you. I would go with adjust a wings personally if I didnt use cool tubes. The only reason is that it seems to focus the light more in a square which is what most trays are shaped like.

The best hoods on the market are the hoods where all 4 sides of the reflector angle down. That being said, I swear by radiant hoods from HydroFarm.

Ajust-a-wings . . . They aren't sealed because there is no cooling so without that glass you get more out of your light.

dnkfrmthasoilz7 said:

Ajust-a-wings . . . They aren't sealed because there is no cooling so without that glass you get more out of your light.

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You also get less light reflected down because both ends are wide open.

Hard to say one is best. Parabolic reflectors are designed to focus light. It looks like it's getting more light because that light is being driven to a foci, leaving a much more intense light centered on your plant. Other reflectors 'tend' to be designed to spread the light out more, say over a broad canopy. The parabolic designs will almost always penetrate better, but won't cover as much area. Other reflectors tend to penetrate less, but distribute light uniformly over a larger area.

I have yet to see an air cooled parabolic, which is why I don't use them, but if it weren't for heat I'd be using them. Parabolic are bad ass when designed well, and sized properly for your area.

WOW!! I went back to my Parabolic and could not be happier, the light penetration is noticeably greater! Wishing I had a "light meter" to determine what the difference actually is. Know where I can get a cheap/quality product? Heat is not a major concern as I leave the tent door open a lot during lights on, but I zipped it up for a few hours last night with the inline fan running through the carbon filter and the temp stayed around 70-75. There is some room to raise it if need be also. Nothing like a good side by side comparison; this is a 600W HPS system BTW.

I have not seen nor heard of an air cooled parabolic, but I am sure they are right around the corner.