Reflectivity of Polished Aluminum DIY

NoWaistedSpace

Well-Known Member
This is about reflectors to collect, direct, and amplify the photons of light toward the canopy.
What is best? "White" or "Polished Aluminum" ( "mirror" finish)?
I just ran an experiment with a pc of sanded, #400-#1000 grit, Polished, Black Emery Polish, 6"x36" Aluminum plate.
I laid it in the direct sun(2PM). The PAR meter said the Sun was at around 2100 PAR.
Next, I focused the meter at the coinciding angle for maximum reflection.
The meter read a little over 2000 PAR. That is almost 99% reflection.
Added a 54mm Glass Lens and measured and increased PAR to right at 2300 PAR
I have not done a "White" surface this way.

My conclusion:
With DIY, adding a little "elbow" grease to your Al reflectors and "Heat Sinks" will increase your PPFD output . Remember, Aluminum is a "soft" metal, and is easily scratched.
 
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OldMedUser

Well-Known Member
Considering that all the best reflectors cite German aluminum for their reflectors I'd say Al is better than white tho unless coated with something to prevent oxidization the shiniest aluminum will soon get a white coating of aluminum oxide but the shiny surface of aluminum reflectors doesn't seem to do that so must be anodized or something.

What are you using as a PAR meter? All the ones I see are way out of my price range so just use a simple light meter to check intensity of light around the garden and keep the plants in the brighter areas.

:peace:
 

NoWaistedSpace

Well-Known Member
I use a "Hydrofarm Quantum meter" about a 100.00. I know I was impressed with the reading I got. But I had put a good bit of time in getting almost every scratch out.
 

NoWaistedSpace

Well-Known Member
Reading some stuff about PAR and how PAR meters lack in reading the true picture of what's there or not there for your plants.

What is PAR?

Beyond PAR Lighting.

That Hortilux site has a lot of good info about all sorts of lighting and doesn't seem to be trying to sell you stuff with each article like most. Still not buying new bulbs every 6 months tho! :D

:peace:
I've done switched to LED's I run a shitload of Vero 29 Gen 7's and getting ready to build another with Strip lights. I am sold on the Leds.
 
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