reflective tape on flo lights

I was just reading an article on putting reflective tape on the tops of flo lights so as to try and maximize downward direction light output. I have noticed that my seedlings seem kinda stretched and thin and was thinking that the extra light reflected by the tape might help things out a little. It seems like a good idea and I want to do it, I just want to make sure I'm not overlooking anything negative in doing this. It seems like the more light the better, so this would appear to be a no-brainer, right?

edit: For whats its worth, my plants are in cups in little domes so i can't the light closer, but i can move the cups up higher from inside on the tray. Or I could ditch the dome and move the light down closer...what are peoples opinions on domes vs no dome for seedlings/clones?

Um, i'm not so sure about that. Not going against it, just haven't heard of it before so I can't really evaluate whether it works. Can't you just get your lights closer to your plants, or raise your plants closer to the lights? It would be much more helpful to you than reflective tape, in my opinion.

A decent hood will do this just as well. I wouldn't recommend putting tape on you lights. You can a decent flo hood from one of those tri-fold carboard presentation things.

depends on the lights you have, if they get too hot, the glue will melt and the tape will start to peel off. either buy a reflective hood, or just move your light closer..

mal_crane said:

Um, i'm not so sure about that. Not going against it, just haven't heard of it before so I can't really evaluate whether it works. Can't you just get your lights closer to your plants, or raise your plants closer to the lights? It would be much more helpful to you than reflective tape, in my opinion.

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I think for now, i will just try to move my plants closer to the light source. I read about the reflective tape thing through a link from a post and/or article on this site. I think the theory was that you could get the light thats being shined through the top of the bulb and have it reflected back down so it shines with the rest of the bulb that can shined outward. I see its practicality but wanted to make sure I wasn't overlooking a problem with that set up. In the mean time, I will consider moving my plants higher up within their dome. I have long stretchy kind of plants and I 'm just trying to optimize the light I can get with the light I have...(a flo light) and wait to hear back form more people regarding the reflective tape idea.

thescientist said:

I think for now, i will just try to move my plants closer to the light source. I read about the reflective tape thing through a link from a post and/or article on this site. I think the theory was that you could get the light thats being shined through the top of the bulb and have it reflected back down so it shines with the rest of the bulb that can shined outward. I see its practicality but wanted to make sure I wasn't overlooking a problem with that set up. In the mean time, I will consider moving my plants higher up within their dome. I have long stretchy kind of plants and I 'm just trying to optimize the light I can get with the light I have...(a flo light) and wait to hear back form more people regarding the reflective tape idea.

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yeah for sure. always good to ask, who knows.. it might help a lot. i've figured out some pretty amazing shit, just make sure if you do try, you have back up bulbs lol. lemme know if you do.

Chronic Connoisseur said:

yeah for sure. always good to ask, who knows.. it might help a lot. i've figured out some pretty amazing shit, just make sure if you do try, you have back up bulbs lol. lemme know if you do.

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good point on the backup bulbs. Will sleep on it and decide tomorrow when I go do some more grow shopping (my favorite kind)

thescientist said:

good point on the backup bulbs. Will sleep on it and decide tomorrow when I go do some more grow shopping (my favorite kind)

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Hahaha permanent CAPS LOCK FURY!!!!!