does anyone know were to buy mylar???

[tyler_ hobbyist]

I'm looking at making my own grow tent and I was wondering if it's cheaper to do so or to buy a tent I would make my own frame steel price is 60cents per foot but I can't find were to buy the mylar covering???? I'm looking to build a 5x5 by 7feet

[DW2]

tyler, there are several places on the internet to get the reflective Mylar, although they are all very expensive. Most is very thin (2 -5 mil) and is difficult to work with, it tears easily and adhesives do not adhere well to it. I have read that it also contributes to 'hot spots' due to it's 'mirror' like reflectivity and that a 'crinkled' material will better distribute and spread out the reflected light. I converted a close to be my grow space and I tacked up aluminum foil to the walls with thumb tacks. The foil has a bright side and a dull side, the walls in my house have a texture finish, so when I smoothed the foil out it became crinkled. To use aluminum foil on a tent or frame, would require a backing support surface like foam board, or cheap paneling, or if You're as cheap as me, corrugated cardboard! (LOL).
Have fun.

[tyler_ hobbyist]

I have herd a lot of people say aluminum foil gives hot spots what has been ur exsperince with that?

[DW2]

I have not had any problems using the foil on my walls except the it made my ladies turn into giant bushy monsters! Not complaining, just bragging (lol). The finish on my walls is textured and rough (was popular in the 70's) and when I put the foil on it, it came out crinkled also. I should mention that I am using CFLs (a total of 440 watts), so I can not say that with a higher power light source (MH, HPS, or LED), that You would not get any hot spots, but I have not had any problems like that. (I'll post a photo of my grow space)

[DW2]

tyler_hobbyist, Here is a photo of my grow space. It is 71 1/2 in. wide, by 22 1/2 in. deep, and 97 in. tall (a closet).

[tyler_ hobbyist]

Awesome thank u

[tyler_ hobbyist]

Those are some beautiful plants nice setup by the way

[DW2]

Thanks, it has been a work in progress (started in fall of 2014). My next (and current) project is a lamp with six of the 55 watt CFLs in a single reflector, giving me 330 watts for each planter. In the future, I want to have an other space to grow in, and will, most likely, build a 'tent' or enclosure to do so. I will have to clean out some space in the spare room, but with a bad back (it is directly connected to my lazy ass!! LOL), it takes time.
Have fun with Your build and good luck with your grow!

[PRIMO]

A C-note will get a 4x4x80" apollo tent on amazon. I have one works great. Half hour assembly & you're hanging your light.

[tyler_ hobbyist]

Awesome thank u primo

[tyler_ hobbyist]

I checked amazon and the item doesn't ship to canada. That's been my issue is shipping. It either doesn't ship or its extreamly espencive

[Flockshot]

I got mine on Ebay. A long roll for very little money.

However, after using mylar, windshield screens, and white paint, I prefer flat white paint. Yes, the 'hammered finish' mylar seems to get the best numbers, but really just because something is the 'Best' doesn't mean that it is really that much better than anything else. Nobody is running a thread on how adding mylar instead of white paint gave them more ounces. Just say'n.

[tyler_ hobbyist]

That's a very good idea thank u flockshot

[Potted]

Mylar emergency blankets on amazon super cheep,I scotch tape to cardboard I think I got a dozen for 5$ good size too.lol

[PigSquishy]

I know you can use the emergency foil blankets, Walmart ($2 US), a hardware store called Mac's also sells it right off the roll like fabric and other upholstery by the foot right off the roll, as an idea of places you might try to look around you. There is a special spray on glue that I used to use to adhere the space blanket to things like cardboard that worked really well, some brands are better than others for this. If you try to staple mylar make sure you use something like that cardboard strip from Weatherization Plastic for your windows you Nail on, that works great. I used to buy the plastic for my windows and then use it along side the mylar as a 2nd layer, roll the edges around the cardboard strip and then staple it up and as I was doing it for heat reflection and it worked out great. I would later learn about a mylar bubble wrap called "Reflectix" the hardware store Menards (cheapest I've found) carries it as does others like ACE and sold in the growing shops they really jack the price and call it IR Foil Wrap. I've also seen mylar on the roll sold in 25' to 100' rolls in places that sell growing equipment, that weren't overly expensive. The thing to know about Mylar is that it comes in different thicknesses and that is why some is more expensive than others.

I once did look at the cost to build your own tent, or buying a quality tent... the short of it was this, the cheaper tents have light leaks, some people complained the thread was breaking, zippers didn't work properly, some even had issues with the plastic corners needing to replaced where the polls connect, etc... All in all I just personally thought a cheap tent is just something to get started with and then hurry up and upgrade it hopefully before it falls apart. While the best tents seemed to be Orca Tents who makes the Ocra wrap, that stuff is seriously amazing, check out a YouTube video on a Mylar Tent compare to the Ocra Tent if you want to see the difference in reflective materials. Gorilla Tents made the best diamond mylar tents which were seriously strong, and meant to hold up to use and still be light tight, but you paid for it in the price too. In the end I choose Ocra and its more than paid for itself repeatedly because of the difference light reflection really does make.

[PigSquishy]

I should also point out did you by chance read the email from:
[GWE] Reflection - Increase Yields Indoors with Reflective Walls

sent out on Feb 12th in email to those who have subscribed to it. I'm not sure where NebulaHaze has it posted, but honestly if you are serious about the walls spend the time to read that article it is impressively well written. One of the many points it brings out on Mylar is when it gets dirty its extremely hard to clean and depending on the brand of it I've even heard the reflective side can wipe or wash off too. Hope that helps you.

[gbauto]

I'm with Flockshot on this one-I have used foil and mylar sheeting and they are a real chore to put up and keep up. I ended up just using a decent white wall paint in my grow room/closet and it does just as well as any of the other coatings I've used. I like simple solutions.....