Wrapping DWC tote's in Aluminum foil, better than nothing?

I got these grey totes at walmart for DWC that I thought would be better than some other colored ones, but turns out they suck and algae started growing (first time running into that problem) so I added some H202 and all is good, but I need to light proof it to prevent that from happening again, but I live 200 miles from the nearest hydro shop, and I simply don't have the money to buy panda film. Nowhere I've looked have simple mylar blankets either, without buying kits, at least online they don't show up for in store stuff.

There's an ace hardware, walmart, and a normal building supply store nearby, but that's the best I can think of, and I seriously doubt they'd have what I'm looking for. I don't want to wait, plus I'm poor, so I'm trying to confirm I won't run into issues.

Would it really be that ghetto? Yeah its not the best, but is there some sort of problem people run into using aluminum foil or something? Or is it just not the greatest?

Walmart has mylar blankets for cheap. Look in the camping section. How about taping cardboard around it?

I just switched to grey bins over the blue and eliminated my past algae problems?? My water temps are lucky to hit 62deg..

Oops.. Yes foil will work,used to do this when I used buckets.good luck!

Just get a can of white and a can of black spray paint. Cost is less than $4 and will work perfect. Use the black first to block light then the white on top to reflect the light.

Don't use foil,it may reflect light but will also absorb heat. Go to that ace hardware and buy a couple rolls of "foil tape"( not really foil)and tape em up. Ive also used that silver bubble wrap on my 5 gal buckets before. Or as SS said paint them,do not use foil though

You can use silver bubble wrap from home depot to light proof and insulate... or duct tape.

If you can't afford these items, good luck with the hobby.

Foil is fine albeit no too terribly durable

I use panda film. Cheap, tuff, easy to work with.

Duct tape is a great light blocker and insulator. I use it and never had an issue with the reservoir so far.

How did I know captain duct tape would show up? Duct tape is an insulator? In what universe? That's some funny shit. Insulator. What's the r value of duct tape? .0000001?

3mil black plastic from home depot or b/w poly like said above from local hydrostore .. if it were me id just put the lid on it, go outside with rubberized can paint, and spray the fuck out out it. let it dry for like a week though so no fumes are there
re thought this... just go with b/w poly... white outside refracts heat and black inside eliminates light leak. if your feeling like a pro grab some floor pan liner adhesive and get a paint roller and a squegee. you take the adhesive put it on the tote and then wrap it with the plastic. once plastic is applied you can squegee the bubbles out of it.. If you cant afford/find b&w poly maybe try black and white trash bags, one on the inside and light proof it, then go around after with the white stuff.
You can get away with a blacked out resevoir if there is very little light hitting it

Foil will work, but like people say paint is good even laytex, but dont for get to scff the containers.

Funny is a grower telling another to use foil to wrap a reservoir. And you wonder why your shit is hot! The tape idea is good at blocking light and keeping heat out. It's almost like the foil tape someone else mentioned...minus the cost. You're a tool passing bad info....move on!

legallyflying said:

How did I know captain duct tape would show up? Duct tape is an insulator? In what universe? That's some funny shit. Insulator. What's the r value of duct tape? .0000001?

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joe blow greenthumb said:

Funny is a grower telling another to use foil to wrap a reservoir. And you wonder why your shit is hot! The tape idea is good at blocking light and keeping heat out. It's almost like the foil tape someone else mentioned...minus the cost. You're a tool passing bad info....move on!

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Legallyflying had good suggestions... Duct Tape and Refective Duct Tape are nearly as expensive as the panda film.... so you're the one looking like a tool.... good thing though cause your gonna have to put your tool ass to work lining your room with duct tape while Legallyflying puts up pandafilm in a fraction of the time with better results.

You can pick up cans of white and black spray paint for less than $1 each. Or, some sort of outdoor latex paint can be had fairly cheap, if that's more your thing.

Better results? My entire grow room? Only the buckets my friend....I'm the one without issues so we shall about better results.....FYI legallyflying mentioned aluminum foil then panda film....that doesn't sound any better than my idea..?

BeastGrow said:

Legallyflying had good suggestions... Duct Tape and Refective Duct Tape are nearly as expensive as the panda film.... so you're the one looking like a tool.... good thing though cause your gonna have to put your tool ass to work lining your room with duct tape while Legallyflying puts up pandafilm in a fraction of the time with better results.

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Ummm, I said that you COULD use tin foil but in all honesty, panda film is the solution. It's cheap, easy to put on, reflects light (and this heat), cleans easily, fuck man, I'm the king of panda film LOL. I just went trough two 100' rolls of the stuff.

But yeah, I'm generally just a dip shit who really doesn't understand any of this stuff. I have 10 CFL's in a 2x2 tent.

legallyflying said:

Ummm, I said that you COULD use tin foil but in all honesty, panda film is the solution. It's cheap, easy to put on, reflects light (and this heat), cleans easily, fuck man, I'm the king of panda film LOL. I just went trough two 100' rolls of the stuff.

But yeah, I'm generally just a dip shit who really doesn't understand any of this stuff. I have 10 CFL's in a 2x2 tent.

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Panda film is the shit, but can't be acquired quickly without a hydro store close by.

Malevolence said:

You can use silver bubble wrap from home depot to light proof and insulate... or duct tape.

If you can't afford these items, good luck with the hobby.

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It is called Reflectix

Air is the best insulation..

So if you want to (or absolutely have to) use aluminum foil, bubble wrap the res first so you won't heat it up with the heat that the foil absorbs while reflecting the light..

As far as reflection and blocking goes there are thousands of options and obviously everyone has their preferences.. Here is a cheap solution for that kind of setup:

Just walk in to any gardening section and ask for Mulch film.. That is thick enough to block the rests of light, then all you need is a white garbage bag to go over that on the outside to reflect the light coming in.

Wow that was explained bass ackwards... You now what I mean though hopefully..

Cheers!