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Easiest Cooled Reflector

I

Inspired333

Is there a clear definitive answer on which type of reflector is easiest to cool/has the least impact on higher temperatures when used in a grow tent, or room for that matter.
(Note: I'm like finger on the trigger with buying a reflector and I'm thinking of the conventional enclosed square reflector; a 6" silverstar by hydrotek.)

Which one:
The regular square or rectangular style fully enclosed, glass lens sealed type.
-can remove glass for more UV.
-I've heard it said these actually add heat to the tent/room because they heat up and radiate.
-less streamline air movement passing inside the rectangular shape.

The "cool tube" with built in rectangular hood style. Like the "Cool Star 6inch" (search it). Seems like a tube would provide a straight streamline tunnel for pulling the air.
-no option to remove glass.
-?..

The plain old open reflector, preferably four sided (not a "wing") as you aren't lighting a wall on either end.
-It's been said that it's actually easier to cool a tent or room with these style reflectors because they don't trap and radiate any heat.
Similar to how in the vertical growing world it's just 'bare bulb' baby - with a little honeywell or maybe a box fan underneath the bulb blowing up slowly over the bulb to where the extraction of hot air occurs.
-Downside is it's not sealed so you couldn't do a co2 setup or say cool the bulb and exhaust the room independently for whatever reason.

With less heat being the main focus, which of the option do you all think is the best?

Thanks for advice and info,
Peace.
 

Jhhnn

Active member
Veteran
I think that reflectors with inner aluminum reflectors probably pass less heat through the outer shell with a fan attached. Dunno that it made much difference, but I put a leftover piece of this stuff over the reflector, cut to size-

http://www.yourautotrim.com/thercarpad.html

Extremely flame resistant.

I've never used a tent, but they're obviously different because they transmit heat through the walls via convection, making them a little easier to cool than, say, a closet w/ sheetrock. Even then, whisking away the heat right off the bulb through a hood would seem to be better with a sufficiently powerful fan.
 

justanotherbozo

Active member
Veteran
...yeah man, this is a 4 x 4 closet not a tent but i also have a DR120 so i've flowered in tents too.

picture.php


so i'd say the cheapest hood out there is the one you don't need.

...frankly, i wish i'd discovered vertical growing before i bought my SuperSun II so i wouldn't now have a SS II gathering dust, lol.

picture.php


...of course i didn't have a tent back then so...lol.

[URL="https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?threadid=127881"]Benefits of Vertical Growing[/url]

peace, bozo
 
I

Inspired333

I think that reflectors with inner aluminum reflectors probably pass less heat through the outer shell with a fan attached.

You mean a traditional rectangular reflector over a glass tube type? That what you're saying?

http://www.yourautotrim.com/thercarpad.html

Thanks for that link! I was looking for a something exactly like that months ago for something else and had to opt for a different solution.

...so i'd say the cheapest hood out there is the one you don't need.

Get a quality hood if I end up getting one you mean? lol.

...frankly, i wish i'd discovered vertical growing before i bought my SuperSun II so i wouldn't now have a SS II gathering dust, lol.

Yea vert is cool, I did one before, didn't optimize it though. I don't think it's the best for a small tent. I think it's good if you have limited height but only if you also have lots of horizontal space (wide room/footage)... Which I don't. Also, wouldn't make much sense with 1 plant, to go vert.
I gotta stay scrog for now.

peace, bozo

So I guess I'm needing the best affordable air cooled square (rectangular) reflector, preferably the least tall (bottom to top measurement) to save vertical height.

Anybody have experience with either Hydrotek's "Silverstar", or Maverick Sun's "Magnilume Pro"?

Thanks.
 
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