Home Made Grow Lights

[veggiechicken]

..........and onions and lettuce and basil - and that's just today

[bearded bloke]

Deffo white paper VM, I'm sure there is a scientific explanation but am too tired to goggle it.

Best ask a decorator then BM Ohhh that would be me then

Its all down to the light reflectance values of colours,which are measured from each colour standard using a spectrophotometer giving the Y value (brightness of the colour) in the Munsell colour system (are you reading this Jules )

The approximate light reflectance value (LRV) of a colour indicates the amount of visible light that a colour will reflect. Black has a light reflectance value of 0% and absorbs all light. In contrast, white has a light reflectance value of 100% absorbing virtually no light.

[redser]

If you have a B&Q nearby you can get different size panels of hardboard for next to nothing. Nice and rigid but you could cut them with a serated kitchen knife no problem to suit the size of your box. Small pot of their own brand matt white and away you go.
The reason white works best is because white objects dont have colour as such. Red objects are red because they absorb the red part of the light spectrum. All the other colours are reflected away. Same for blue etc. But when you see something white you are seeing the whole of the light spectrum reflected back to your eye. Nothing is lost/absorbed. So you have a light source sourounded by a box that reflects the light perfectly back around the box and onto the plants. Makes sense?
BM, out of interest, are you putting something over the open end? You should or the plants will lean in towards the light and away from the dark of the room. Outside there is only one sun providing light, but in a white box it's like an infinate number of suns shining from all directions. The plants love it - they'll be super plants Only problem is they will be spoiled and tender as hell and will need careful hardening off before moving them out. In fact starting this early with lights is a problem as they will grow so well the conditions outside wont be right yet when they get too big for your box. That's what I've learned and so I'll be waiting till March. But enjoy the experiment!
And please dont burn your house down!! Not scaremongering, honest, just be careful.

[Urban]

Thinking about doing this

Will probably go the white box route just posted, just wondering about ventilation in an enclosed box

Might try sticking a small fan in there to keep the air moving

[Bren In Pots]

Would this work the same using fish tank only I've got one upstairs complete with hood and tube.

[Bigmallly]

Would this work the same using fish tank only I've got one upstairs complete with hood and tube.

I was thinking exactly the same Bren. Instead of starting the tube low & raising it as the plants grow, you would have to start the plants high on blocks, books etc then lower them as the plants grow if that makes sense. Is it a growlux or flourescent tube you have in the tank? Be careful of the heat if it's a bog standard light bulb.

[Bigmallly]

Best ask a decorator then BM Ohhh that would be me then

Its all down to the light reflectance values of colours,which are measured from each colour standard using a spectrophotometer giving the Y value (brightness of the colour) in the Munsell colour system (are you reading this Jules )

The approximate light reflectance value (LRV) of a colour indicates the amount of visible light that a colour will reflect. Black has a light reflectance value of 0% and absorbs all light. In contrast, white has a light reflectance value of 100% absorbing virtually no light.

I wasn't aware you was multi-lingual BB..........one of your many hidden talents.........

[Bren In Pots]

I was thinking exactly the same Bren. Instead of starting the tube low & raising it as the plants grow, you would have to start the plants high on blocks, books etc then lower them as the plants grow if that makes sense. Is it a growlux or flourescent tube you have in the tank? Be careful of the heat if it's a bog standard light bulb.

BM I've had a look and its this light mines F014 so I'm going to give it a go.

Arcadia - Original Tropical Lamp

[veggiechicken]

Two pots of lettuce sown (4/1) and I'll do a test to see which grows the better - in or out of the Box!

Two pots germinated - one in BluePeter lightbox and the other on SE facing window - same room. Watch this space

[Bigmallly]

BM I've had a look and its this light mines F014 so I'm going to give it a go.

Arcadia - Original Tropical Lamp

Sounds perfect Bren as you have the tube that stimulates plant growth.......waste not want not.....

[Bren In Pots]

I've re-read the whole thread and picked up lots of tips one being to use white paper instead of the foil i would have used.

[Bigmallly]

I too have enjoyed all of the advice Bren, I've certainly learned something.

[veg man]

And i certainly have thanks to all

[Bigmallly]

FTAO Bramble:

Cheap LED Light and Grow Box - The Cheap Vegetable Gardener

Read Updates 2 & 3.........really interesting.

[redser]

Thanks a million BM. That solves a problem for me as I only want to start a few things early and it would have been wasteful to set up the 5 foot lights!