Mirror or mylar for grow rooms? what is the best reflective material for grow rooms

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What is the best reflective material for grow rooms, mirror or silver mylar?
The answer is silver mylar and mirrors are almost exactly the same but mylar doesn't weigh a tonne :)
Next tip is to use patterned mylar such as 'Diamond mylar' to diffuce the light a little and reduces hot spots.
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[@MrZalcatraz]

I had a question, I googled it and you summed it up quickly and organized. I dig it

[@firecloud77]

I hate to nitpick, but the scientist in me says that all three panels should have been the same size. With the mirror in place you will notice that there is a band of light shining on the top and sides of the cardboard. The other two panels are large enough to cover those areas of the cardboard and reflect it to the sensor. In short, the mirror was handicapped right out of the gate.

[@MIGROLIGHT]

You're right of course but we have other videos which measure the comparioson very accurately over the whole grow area in a 4x4 tent. This was a visual demo of the rough comparisons. Thanks for keeping any eye on me :)

[@jamelgrant9208]

Hard for me to believe mirrors are not better than reflective material but I guess ill have to believe it lol

[@krancis]

My guess is the size of reflective material makes a difference. The mirror is 3 times smaller than the other two. Also it's held at a different angle than the others. My guess is that these two things might change the results quite a bit

[@bjornar89]

Yes. + Several lightsensors could compensate for hi/low spots

[@CarlosGonzalez-ll6xx]

the limit is given by the ligths angle you stv pd f kk

[@grownonymous]

The testing never stops. Love it!!!

[@robertreif5992]

You really do a fantastic job explaining lighting needs. I haven't found anyone who breaks it down better for us simpletons than you. Thank you

[@MIGROLIGHT]

You're very welcome!

[@m3sca1]

Please stop asking LOL! More great info. Thanks Shane

[@gamercatsz5441]

haha I laughed out loud aswel when I heared that.

[@MrNoyazz]

X3 :P

[@ashketchum4953]

"please stop asking" haha love it. Thanks for the info.

[@lambycorn5253]

I always thought mirrors were the best!!!! Thanks, good to know mylar works better

[@tatertot7105]

That’s one efficient way to shut em’ up lol Thanks Shane always wondered this

[@samanthacoco4929]

Thank you! Of course I looked this up After Finishing making mylar boards....win!

[@Morpheus852]

Thanks, finally some real comparison! :-)

[@dalanwanbdiska6542]

I found some silver shiny reflective gift wrapping paper and im thinking of taping that to the walls since they cant be painted. I upgraded 1 room lastyear with white paint and it looks super bright.

[@willardb682]

Awesome video thanks Shane

[@MultiPawel84]

you are the best MIGRO

[@gingernightmare9152]

I used Aluminium foil in my garden last year.. worked well.

[@scifiscience]

"please stop asking if mirrors are better anymore" lol

[@CREOLEJEAN]

Great idea thanks for sharing 😊

[@joshmaples3760]

Love the channel keep it going

[@Gegalona]

Thank you bro. Justo eso buscava mirror o papel de plata.

[@volvo09]

Look at that CMH spectrum... Mini sun, might be able to close your eyes and imagine it's summertime if you laid down under it. Haha

[@CREOLEJEAN]

Used a small greenhouse frame..worked great..

[@TroyWatsonYEG]

Thanks for the test. :)

[@DANIEL14KINGG]

Great video!, What about glass lens vs others lens's ? and if the angle affect?

[@icg4997]

Great info. ✌😎👍

[@crimesacrosstheglobe1885]

Thanks shane bro...

[@thomasbowden3746]

Bravo! So simple and short

[@liamgorman84]

Could you test the orca sheeting against Mylar please

[@Forkpork808]

Hahahahaha ended w vibes watta g

[@Monterwalker1]

Well that was easy lol. I'll never ask again. Thanks

[@apm-actionprofessionalmedi3034]

hi there, i appreciate your content for some years!!! congrats! i think the point here now we got to think is, are we using it the most efficiently? the angle of the reflection is not in its best.... I`ve made an experiment once, puting a seedling under 6 led 9w lamps AND two mirrors below BUT, in 45º making like a Kaleidoscope room for it. I`ve gone to my job on the morning after doing that, worked, came back 17h......my wife asked me if i changed the plant on there....but no.....she asks because the first leaf after the cotiledons that was supposed to have 1,5cm, was a normal big leaf with like 10cm each. I`ve never seen it before, remembering that i`m preparing this setup again right now!!! thanks again for the very good quality content doc.!

[@ibrahimbader]

hi, thanx 4 sharing, im intrigued by ur setup, i wish u could share a photo of it somewhere, i'd like to try it 😊 im a novice planting indoors, now turning to attempt hydroponic experiments again 🙏😊

[@agremen2294]

Thanks!

[@icemage21k]

I have to ask: So, mirrors are not better? .) Nice vid!

[@daanyaalabdul7051]

What if you were you put the mylar (sun visor) behind the glass, would it be effective? Maybe magnifying the light?

[@PeterKKraus]

Nice. I just was about to spend $125 for a 3 foot x 3 foot beveled mirror. 👍

[@MIGROLIGHT]

Use silver mylar. That is my answer to every question that comes in regarding an alternative! It's cheap and performs better than ANYTHING you will ask me to test.

[@user-nd2zc3um8y]

@@captainplanet9817 Orca is a joke. Guy is giving out facts and you are a mad kid because its true. Get lost

[@captainplanet9817]

Нови Сад Србија I feel sorry for your parents. Explain to me how orca is a joke 😂

[@user-nd2zc3um8y]

@@captainplanet9817 Send us any better proof than he showed us then we can talk.

[@captainplanet9817]

Нови Сад Србија 🤔😂😭😂😭😂😭😂😭😂😭😂😅😅😅😭😂😭😂😭😂😭😂😭😂😭😅😭😂😭🙇🙇🙇😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 Find out for yourself, if you think orca is a joke then you just dont understand it

[@user-nd2zc3um8y]

@@captainplanet9817 At least explain whats special about orca whitenes and brightness ?

[@borgeangkol7837]

hi,, can you try making old compact disc as reflector? because i use it in my super cheap mini grow, but i dont have a par meter,

[@marksteps1712]

I never even thought of an actual mirror, what a ball ache that would be, thanks for the info Shane. LOL #StopAsking

[@michalpovolny8461]

its havy but you can clean it .. try to clean your green room after season. with mirros its easy with any type of foil its nightmare .. mirrors dont create hots pots its dificult to damage it when its glued to plywood and you can angled them to specific location .. i put them even on the floor betwen plants and on the sealing to crete some sord of endlees loop of light ... light can bouce of every surface in my rooom

[@user-ig7gx8ii6w]

What white paint do you recommend for better light reflection? Matte or glossy? I want to paint the walls in the corner of my room without a growtent.

[@JaySmith-ce6zm]

Thank you again. Where in the USA can I find the Diamond Mylar ???

[@felixolivieri3741]

I unrolled my reflective film n I really dont see the difference of what side would be best to use" does it matter?

[@massey999]

Thank you!! I have found your videos a great source of information and really helped me to wrap my head around LED grow lights and what to look for! (Previously I had fallen onto the trap of buying a cheap amazon grow light and believing the BS claims they made) after watching your video rating some of the lights on the market I decided to try the HLG quantum boards but found them hard to source in the uk, but I did find boards made by a company called invisible sun, they use the Samsung S6? (

[@MIGROLIGHT]

Great. Makes my day to know the vids help☝️ thanks Shane

[@varunentertainmentnetworks2670]

Which material will reflect almost 99% of UV, Visible light and infrared rays of wavelength range 100nm - 3000 nm?

[@bossgrowinfo8185]

Do You have a Grow room using (Holographic reflective material) on the walls for Lighting If so Can You link the video or done.. I Was Think How Do Plant React to Rainbow Color Lightings

[@uniefresh420]

But does the mirror create hot spots like what everyone says they do?

[@MrQteinteresa]

i can see that u should do this test with the same size of mirror and silver mylar, with that little mirror almost its the same that with that large mylar... idk what to think about it

[@orionphoenix8918]

Also the mylar didn't lean back like the mirror pointing photons in a different direction than the mylar

[@DeezNuts-xo2ee]

Try some insulation reflectix its cheaper than both

[@hillbillyhydrogrower490]

Lol good info

[@Rasheedamcclintock77]

Lmbo...as soon as he turns his back the Diamond Mylar reading shoots up to 930 in the background.

[@vonippo8371]

the light bounced off his body

[@orion9k]

You forgot to include a white surface wall, I will bet my money it's better for reflecting than the mirrors and silvers.

[@JorritIW]

Haha, sweet video again. Thanks. I wont ask what is really best, since that is obvious. The absolute best is of course a real high reflective mirror (polished or coated metal) which can reflect up to 99,9% of the light, whilst an ordinary kitchen mirror only reflects abt 10% of the light. I wont go into the physics, but must add that unfortunately those high reflective mirrors are very (very!) expensive and extremely hard to get. So mylar it is 👍🏻

[@JorritIW]

@@deenutz2455 haha, yeah. Sorry, I am a physicist. Just do it, everything helps. The best isn’t required fortunately

[@guachingman]

@@JorritIW you are a physicist and a good sport, please have lots of children.

[@1SmokedTurkey1]

I kept reading on grow forums that matt white is the best. Is that BS? I painted my grow room matt white for that exact reason. So mylar is definitely better huh?

[@skepticalgenious]

I mean any thing is better then a plain surface that absorbs photons. I believe a mirror is the best but this is only because it's the best at showing me my reflection better then anything else. Near perfect. Aluminum foil is great. Mylar , reflective tape/film even a gloss white is better then nadda. Great video man. Enjoyed it 👌

[@mrbrown6421]

"it's the best at showing me my reflection" Greetings from a stranger. Let's dissect your statement. The systems you are building to reflect 'photons' are reflecting 'photons' of a different frequency. Therefore, your eye is not well calibrated to make the assertion that 'mirrors are best'. Good day distant sir! Mr. Brown

[@skepticalgenious]

@@mrbrown6421 hmm I logically now am slightly correcting my thought. I am trichromatic so true it's my perception of light. I see a small amount of the electro magnetic spectrum

[@taylorbrad111]

I use 3 massive mirrors, 1 reflective silver shit wall lol, looks like i have 8 lights shining down with only 2 actually! My room is hell on your eyes and never had an issue with any burns

[@rando9574]

the thing with the diamond pattern is not actually for burns, at least not just for that. It diffuses the light a little bit, so that the plant gets light from more angles. light from more angles gives better growth than light from just one angle - with the same amount of light. it lets you grow with 105% of light ;)

[@gsfriendlytreesmmj1165]

Lmao I'm gettin tired of hearing that question also 😂🤣😂🤣😎

[@user-ig7gx8ii6w]

Great comparison! Mylar and in 2022 the best reflective material?

[@MIGROLIGHT]

Yes diamond mylar still gives the best results.

[@jillygolightly]

Mirrors! ;)

[@taylorbrad111]

If he tilted that mirror a litte back light would of surprise him.. i use mirrors

[@orionphoenix8918]

The mirror was not filling the entire space and also the mirror was leaning backwards, if I am correct that defeats the purpose of trying to debunk something.

[@Peekcasso]

Is aluminium foil also okay?

[@newjazz9505]

good evening do you know the homebox q80 ambient growtent with par+ white coating? thanks for the very informative video

[@MIGROLIGHT]

it's white so it will be the same as matt white paint. PAr+ coating is marketing rubbish. Mylar is better anyway

[@rechireki12]

No wonder you got not so much views; I just watched a guy demonstrate that aluminum foil is better on both sides than all types of Mylar and everybody already got it within their homes.

[@TroyWatsonYEG]

What about 4 mirrors? One would think it would be able to reflect the splashed light back onto itself.

[@gamercatsz5441]

The reason why mylar has the diamond pattern is that it does not create hotspots like mirrors do. You don't want hotspots, you want diffusion of the light. So now you know for sure, stop askin :D (Unless you where just joking with your comment, then you got me, haha)

[@MIGROLIGHT]

I was about to respond but then I realised it too🤣

[@captainplanet9817]

Gamercatsz plus mirrors absorb light....

[@JasonSw33n3y]

The ads before the video were more informative than the video itself. Dude doesnt understand Trix are for kids

[@markprice2225]

Does the mylar work really guys? I have mirrors on the floor angled reflecting the light back up on to the plants where they otherwise wouldn't get it(& it's direct light too, super bright)

[@MIGROLIGHT]

Hi, Yes diamond mylar works, it defuses the light also. Mirrors create hot spots and are not suitable. Thanks.

[@TheDuffman1986]

Haha stop asking if mirrors are better...brilliant 😆

[@guachingman]

Disco balls are the best, check mate

[@googleuser6592]

How do Samsung strips and Bridgelux EB strips compare to your Migro lights?

[@MIGROLIGHT]

Please see our 'best small grow light 2018' video. There is a comparison there

[@JasonSw33n3y]

What about that foil lined polypropylene foam board insulation?? White side is better than foil side?

[@MIGROLIGHT]

Just use mylar on the inside. Don't save €20 and lose 100's on yield.

[@JasonSw33n3y]

@@MIGROLIGHT thanks for the opinion, but I was looking for fact. You are a waste of youtube ads

[@user-mz6cz5xk3c]

I asked the mirror

[@J4ke60]

i have a question: it will sound silly but, does the inside of a package of crips reflect the light well? because it looks a lot like mylar Peace

[@rando9574]

yes. it will look beautiful too, hahaha :) The only thing to consider is not using materials that conduct electricity. So check that before you give yourself an excuse to buy 100 packs :)

[@J4ke60]

@@rando9574 lol dont need excuse for that :D

[@joeybefurt9724]

Dude watch your own video. And the angles of material when your checking for increase in par. You look at cam to talk. Reflective material kicks out on bottom a bit. Ur par reader increases. Makes on think 5 to 10 degree chang of walls may improve lighting

[@therealm00theoriginal27]

but?? are mnirrors more reflectiv than maylar??? :D

[@taylorbrad111]

If you tilt that mirror youl be suprised

[@grow4207]

I saw a German video showing white mylar was better than silver mylar ... give that a test too!!!

[@MIGROLIGHT]

Silver Mylar is better. Watch our previous test on the channel.

[@grow4207]

Ill watch that thanks!!!

[@deluth4638]

Neither! Gloss white paint or panda film ftw.

[@volvo09]

Chrome like walls make me never want to get them wet or sprayed, and are hell to clean without crappy looking streaks (i know it's just a garden). white isn't much of a worry with anything, and wipes down without visible streaks. Uniform reflections too, even if they aren't as vigorous as chrome.

[@toliscy]

Isn’t the white tent mylar better than normal silver tent mylar?

[@MIGROLIGHT]

Some tents are better than others. Sounds obvious but the surface should be mirror shiny when inspected close up. Some finishes are a little duller than others. The lighthouse tent I used is a budget tent and is very good. It's a case of cheapest can be best☝️

[@mr.advocatusdiaboli1745]

Here when there's 420 views

[@Baughscollection]

Hey Shane does that economy light cost much to run per.month?

[@MIGROLIGHT]

Not really 360 watts consumed and covers 3ft x 3ft

[@lesburrows2226]

What brand is your light bro?

[@stonedbatman2067]

🙂

[@johnedwards1321]

White paint.....

[@chrisraduner8055]

Isn't white the most reflective?

[@laurelsporter4569]

Chris Raduner if were a perfect white surface, maybe. First, mirror material bounces light directionally, which is what gives it its appearance. White material disperses light in all directions away from the surface. They can each be equally reflective, theoretically. In practice, it's fairly cheap to make a thin metal film, and that film can be highly reflective. Metals also have an advantage in that the very top molecules of the film are doing all the reflecting and absorbing. Most plastics that are light colored are translucent, or not white. To make them white, or more reflective, additives are used. A large amount of light still hits the plain plastic, and so performance suffers. The same goes for paint. While they can appear pretty much pure white to us, the total amount if light reflected can vary quite a bit. -Brand name white outdoor roofing paint is -*-probably-*- the best affordable white, if you're not using panda plastic for white.- This gave me the urge to start looking things up, and it appears that the *interior* Behr Premium Plus or Premium Plus Ultra "Ultra Pure White" and Sherwin Williams "High Reflective White" are among the best off the shelf options, coming in at over 90% reflectance. But, since a mirrored surface will reflect less light back upwards, it may outperform white walls even if using an expensive near 100% reflective coating, due to losses from the ceiling, light fixture, and so on, as that light bounces around above.

[@cephasgunn1993]

that one dislike musta asked for a translation. Eye's shut there eh

[@loganosterwise1827]

The mirror was half the size

[@jeremiahbullfrog9288]

Mirrors are nonflammable.

[@bksduskmirror1250]

What about aluminium foil

[@snoopy_peanuts_77]

too weak

[@rando9574]

conducts electricity. usually not a good idea near water and electricity. other than that : yes it probably has around 75% reflection rate.

[@413TomaccoRoad]

Ah yes, 1 wall.

[@dickterpene8697]

Rather ball up tin foil and then straighten it slightly than use actual mirrors

[@kevinisbell1867]

You need to change the angle of your reflection. You need to make sure the reflection is hitting your plants. Going straight up and down doesn't work the lower your mirror the more you need to tilt the top back. Kinda like reflecting the sun off your watch into some ones face. And as you go up the wall the you need to change the angle so the reflection hits the plants. You're going to have to spend time set the angle every couple inches to really get the reflection right. And you won't get hot spots, cause by the time the light reaches the reflection light diminishes and diminishes by the time the light hits the plants.

[@rando9574]

yes. or you can add a floor reflector.

[@kevinisbell1867]

@@rando9574 if light can penetrate your canopy. And by the time light hits such a far distance it substantially diminishes and fairly useless.

[@rando9574]

@@kevinisbell1867 on a large tight canopy, sure. But a long time before That, reflective floor is Great. I have actually done this in large scale greenhouses with Great result. where do you loose your light, when inside a container with reflective walls? Does it magically turn into air? Im aware of what you are refering to, but That is a widely misunderstood concept. Light does not get lost, Unless when it bounces on something and gets absorbed.

[@kevinisbell1867]

@@rando9574 ever use a lux meter against the your reflection. I guess you might get some light back. I don't use any reflection other than the reflector I use directly off my 400 hps. I home made mine it's a tinfoil serving plate from the dollar store I spray painted chrome. I hang the 400 vertical to get 360 degrees of its light and I'm getting 120,000 lux a foot and half at the point of the bulb and along the buld same distance I only get 80,000. My hm reflector sits right on bulb a inch just above arc tube less distance = more reflective Then I run a 135 watt panel for each plant. And I scrog using stucco wire that stuff some use for fencing. So I can make the plants grow around the bulb. So I don't use any reflection I try to fill growing area with plant. But I guess in a big green house with 1000w bulbs and some good space between plants you'll get some light back.

[@rando9574]

@@kevinisbell1867 sounds like a cool setup, and you Def know what you are doing. I work and develop led plant lights, and have also spent some time in this :) The cheapest and therefore most efficient way IMO to increase growth is by far reflective surfaces.. Just from one type mylar to another, i got +25% more average light (umol/area). Not sure what you are growing, but you can play with adding some uva 365nm. Makes some plants create a natural sunblock.. Or oils.. :) Let me know if you want it and dont find it else where Btw, we sell leds to the greenhouses :) We match hps 400 ( Or 480w as i measure the W consumption) with only 220w led. Increases flavor as well

[@montanateri6889]

Mylar sheets win hands down.... but you said grow tent material wins. I enlarged the video to be sure and yes, your meter showed Mylar sheets at 890 to 930. But you say tent grow material at 820 to 870 is higher than Mylar at 890 to 930.... did you get confused? And with Mylar sheets you can drape it around your grow light and get visual light blocked from your eyes, without having to have a grow tent, which are horrendously expensive (or buying the pre wrapped grow tent reflective material is expensive also). Or, like you did, put a Mylar sheet over some cardboard -- can make a 3 sided or 4 sided bendable, removeable reflective 51"x 83" panel for just above one dollar. on 8/20/2023 I ordered Mylar sheets online from Walmart $13.00 for 12 sheets of 51in x 83in (130cm x 210cm) It took 5 days to arrive by mail. Note that Mylar sheets and reflective emergency blankets are the same material.)

[@taylorbrad111]

Next time tilt the damn mirror towards the sensor! Aka THE LIGHT!! PUT THE LIGHT RIGHT ON IT! LOL WERE NOT INTERESTED IN THE SENSOR REFLECTING ITSELF! IT WOULD PROB DOUBLE!

[@JaschaL]

nothing. the best is white foil

[@josecespedes2242]

Sorry brother i love how scientific u are. You know that mirror was much smaller then either of the mylars. Your test is invalid.

[@ashscott6068]

Who even asks that? People with several hundred square feet of mirror lying around?

[@alcurtis93]

Have you seen this Cob Shane? 500w! kzbin.info/www/bejne/h17LgouXrbRgmcU

[@MrKrzys01]

So no real difference other than price. These are margins of error.

[@chuckiephead]

The mirror was much smaller and you held the mirror at an angle as well! So calling bullshit on this one!

[@captainplanet9817]

MIRRORS ABSORB LIGHT. In all seriousness if you follow and listen to this guy you WILL NOT PROGRESS

[@cjhification]

Where are your test videos? Can't seem to see them, or any evidence for your claims?