A reflector is the hood that holds your bulb in place whilst reflecting the light source. Reflectors are normally silver and shiny which enables the light waves from the bulb to be reflected downwards, towards your plants.
Reflectors are important to channel as much light as possible in the direction of your plants – no reflector means the light is shining in every direction; therefore potential light for your plants is lost. It is important your plants have enough light to photosynthesise and grow.
Types of reflectors
There are many reflectors on the market these days, so choosing the right one for your set-up can seem quite difficult. Below are a few examples and the benefits of each type. If you want more advice please ask any member of staff.
Parabolic:
Parabolic reflectors have a unique shape for more light spread; the shape enables the waves of light to reflect in different angles in a downward direction instead of straight down. Forming an even spread of light across the plant canopy ensures all plants benefit from the same amount and intensity of light. Ideally suitable for a grow room rather than a tent as the reflectors are large and can be heavy.
Air-Cooled:
Air cooled lighting works by using a separate extraction system to remove the hot air from around the bulb and reflector. They can either be open to the grow room or sealed systems with a separate exhaust and intake to the ventilation system in the room. Sealed systems are recommended for use in grow rooms using CO2 as this way the fans ventilating the room can be turned off (so the CO2 isn’t removed) but the hot air from around the light can be removed keeping temperatures low).
Other Reflectors:
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*The diamond reflector (left) – this reflector was designed specifically for use with HID lighting, taking into account the properties of the light the HID bulbs emit. Perfect for an average size tent. *The Euro reflector – this reflector is a standard dimpled reflector that is supplied with our standard lighting kits or can be purchased separately. It gives an average coverage of 1m2 and the dimpled texture prevents hotspots. Excellent value for money. There’s also Dutch Barn style reflectors, such as the Rising Sun reflectors, again the shape has been designed to give an even spread of light and reduce the likeliness of heat spots.
What is the ideal reflector?
The ideal reflector depends on the size and shape of your space. You want the whole plant canopy to be illuminated evenly, with no shadows or hot spots. If you are growing in an open room then the large parabolic reflectors are normally the best option, as these ensure that all your plants are receiving the same amount of light and reduce the likelihood of un-even growth. Growing in a medium sized tent (where heat isn’t an issue) the ideal reflector would be one which offers an even spread of light like the parabolic type, but one with a small compact size like the diamond may be better suited, depending on the space available inside the tent. Or if you’re growing in a small compact area where heat is an issue the ideal reflector for your space may be an air-cooled system.
How can I tell if my reflector is not right for my grow area?
• Light spread not even throughout your grow room
• Shadows around the edges of your grow room
• Plants towards the edges are smaller than the ones in the centre of your room (directly under the
light)
If this is the case, the reflector isn’t strong enough to direct the light to all the plants throughout your whole space. We would recommend either another light in your room or a larger reflector to cover more space.
Getting the most out of your reflector...
To get the most out of your reflector you should ideally have it hanging approximately between 16-18” above your plants; this is the ideal height to decrease the likeliness of your plants either stretching or burning. Using reflective material around the walls of your tent or room and on the ceiling will help reflect any escaping light back towards your plants.