Re: [tomato] Seed starting advice - Thanks Chuck!
Richard Yarnell (Tomato@GlobalGarden.com)
Tue, 2 Mar 1999 15:36:11 -0800 (PST)
Mylar is hard to handle and foil in proximity to electricity can be rude,
if not fatal.
Get a can of silver engine paint or any other paint which will tolerate an
elevated temperature. Put your lamps into their sockets to determine
which side is "down." Using masking tape, mask the down ward half of the
tube. Spray or brush on a coat of the silver or aluminum paint. You
won't double the amount of light emerging from the bottom half of the
tube, but I've found there is some additional light. Someone with a light
meter might be able to estimate the increase.
Why does it work? the paint which adheres to the glass forms a very
uniform reflective surface right at the glass. Light still has to travel
through the glass twice.
>4. Do you think coating the white inside of the shop light with
>reflective material (tin foil, reflective Mylar?) would increase light
output...
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