Low-cost, partially effective reflecting surfaces

BrightEyes94

New Member
I am currently on my first grow. I noticed that my grow area (in the abandoned bedroom downstairs) was putting out enough light to see under the crack in the door. I am using 4 CFLs currently (very small, personal grow). I knew I needed to reflect the light back inwards so it wouldn't be so obvious. I found some ways to do so.

I have no money currently and I needed to take care of the problem pretty soon. I kept looking around my house for things I could use to reflect a little bit of the light back in. My first solution is kind of funny sounding, but it gave satisfactory results. I took a large cardboard rectangle and glued aluminum foil to it, being careful not to wrinkle the foil as I applied.

My second solution, which was actually more for reflecting light onto a direct spot, was to use old, empty "Sun Gun" video camera light holders circa 1960s. I just happen to be a vintage photography lover, so I have all sorts of old cameras and camera stuff. The sun guns, for those who don't know, were things that you put bulbs in and you let the little metal dome-thing behind it magnify the light for better filming conditions; also, it is attached to a stick so you can hold and aim it. I had 3 and I used them to redirect some light directly onto certain spots.
There is a 90% chance that you don't have any of these, but...if by some chance you do have any, try 'em out!

The third thing was a framed picture, which obviously had some nice, shiny glass on the front. I put it nearby and let the glass keep some light in. What's really funny is that it's a Bob Marley picture, but it totally wasn't on purpose, hahaha. It amuses me.

I'm a first time grower, so I'm no expert, but I figured I'd share this info with other people who might be having a similar problem.
 
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