aluminium foil

[mark peacock]

:?: Hi and good day to all i am going to build a new hood for my tank and will be using t5s and t8s under it would tin foil be ok to completely cover the underside of the hood as a reflector instead of individual reflectors i will be putting six cooling fans around the side and the top of the hood simular to what krish has done with his thread of his hood.

 

[Meche]

I doubt it will be as efficient as shaped, polished, and individual reflectors. If your going to spend the money on hi-tech lighting why not get all you can from it?

 

[mark peacock]

see your point but already have the lights and reflectors for some of the tubes just thought it would do the job the same.

 

[Meche]

Im sure it would be better than painting the inside of the hood white.

 

[Scooterman]

The idea is to reflect the light into the tank, you can't form foil like a polished reflector, it would be wise to get the other reflectors needed other than waste your lighting.

 

[mark peacock]

ok get the message i will get more reflectors sound like the right thing to do, cheers guys your always a help

 

[addicted_2_reef]

You could use Mylar which is mistaken for Tin foil. Most hydroponics shops sell it. Like some of the others have already said tin foil just doesn't have the reflective qualities that is need for aquarium lights.

http://www.hydroponics.net/i/242901

 

[burning2nd]

Mylar

theres a Local hydroponic store sells rolls of that stuff.

200 times more reflective them glass.

 

[addicted_2_reef]

Threre's a place around the corner from my in Bristol PA that sells it. The only thing is I don't know how well it holds up to heat. I would check into it before getting it too close to MH lights. I don't think you want broiled reef tank.

 

[burning2nd]

MYLAR has to be pulled tight, and taped.

you should have let at least a half a foot away
thats my guess

 

[Meche]

200 times more reflective them glass.

:?: Probably 200 times more reflective than concrete too. :lol: