Hydroponic reflective surfaces

A problem that comes up with aquaponics and hydroponics is the fact that there might be cases in which the light available is not enough. Using growing lights is a must, but what shall you do when those give light only to a small portion of your culture?

For those that use a growing room, the struggle is real. Placing the growing light is usually done on the ceiling in order for the light to drop on top of the plants.

But what do you do with those tall plants or those that get curly and extend heretically?

The solution is the usage of hydroponic reflective materials. By opting for the perfect material, you can obviously increase your system`s efficiency. Furthermore, your plants will grow happier and healthier due to the fact that they get all they need. Here is a list with the main hydroponic reflective materials you can make use of.

Aluminum foil

You definitely know how reflective this material is. It has a major disadvantage: it can break easily, so its qualities diminish drastically when that happens. Adding up, it is prone to allowing the electricity to pass, which in certain systems can become a danger for you and your household. When combined with certain light sources, it can get on fire due to the heat. In other words, if you are planning to use aluminum as your reflective material, you will have to be cautious how and where you place it.

Paints and coatings with reflective capacities

If you want to opt for a simpler and safer method, paints and coatings that reflect light represent the best option for you. Make use of any white paint and you will be amaze how much it can bounce the light around. Anyway, this has a major disadvantage: it can encourage the appearance of mold and some fungal diseases. This can turn out to be harmful for both you and your plants.

Mylar

There are few those that known the fact that mylar is a highly reflective material. Basically, it is a polyester film known for its durability. It is thick, easy to use, but it is prone to breaking. Due to maintenance, it has a small life expectance and it gets torn apart pretty fast. Anyway, it represents the cheapest method in the field, so it can do its job for some time.

Foylon

It is expensive, but it is long lasting. It is that kind of material that can be used by those that are planning to make their hydroponic system for a life time. You can do maintenance on it with confidence, it won`t break.

This being said, in some cases it is not enough to buy and install growing lights. Some plants tend to grow in an unexpected manner. So, you will have to fulfill their needs. And what better option than the reflective material? Increasing the amount of light can be pretty benefic for plants that enjoy extensive periods of light on daily basis. Furthermore, for tall plants it can do miracles due to the fact that they get bushy and harder to lighten up.

hydroponic reflective surfaces

Hydroponics