Could you use plexiglass as a barrier between your plants and the lights, or is there a similar material that can be used this way?
I personally think plexiglass would be perfect to use with CFLs to keep the plants from burning. You've got to be kind a jedi to cut it with a circular saw though.
Well, sir. I just so happen to have finished my jedi training 20 minutes ago (that's right, 12:30am est)
Nice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I've seen my Dad cut plexi glass with a circular saw. I think he used a saw blade with the maximum number of teeth and also used some kind of tape where he was going to make the cut. He'd use the tape where he'd make the cut.
Yeah a table saw with a blade that has a very high tooth count would be ideal. I've cut the stuff with a reinforced dremel cut-off wheel before. I wasn't worried about straight lines though. Have to be careful about rotational speeds though, too high and it'll melt the plastic as it cuts it. Actual plexiglass is probably good. It apparently lets through most UV light. Lexan really depends. Some of them have coatings that will block UV light. Overall it really depends on the formulation of the plastic you're looking at using.
actually you dont even need the cfls. cfls can be less than an inch away and it wont burn the plants. only if they touch is when you have a problem. however. if you have a large amount of cfls. you could used plexi to enclose your hood and vent out the heat. i built my own hood and it works like a damn charm. heres a link of mine if you need ideas http://forum.grasscity.com/grow-room-design-setup/530090-flowering-room-hood-upgrade.html http://forum.grasscity.com/advanced...to-dwc-bubble-bucket-grow-21.html#post6632616