hood reflector

[j@mie]

hey peeps, i just bought a 2nd hand tank, will i need a reflector for the light ? or will it be ok with just the light on its own? its a home made hood, so it has brackets for the light, but like i say, no reflectors ?

i havent set it up yet so i need to know asap. Cheers

 

[Barday]

Will you be using live plants?

 

[j@mie]

Will you be using live plants?

yeh

 

[Barday]

Then I'd say yes, some good reflectors increase light output by up to 100% (Well so they say!)

 

[j@mie]

Then I'd say yes, some good reflectors increase light output by up to 100% (Well so they say!)

ok, im from the UK, so what do i need and where can i buy sum reflectors on the cheap i can stick them with silicone i suppose.

p.s what silicone can i use for diy caves btw ? if you know

 

[Lateral Line]

Fluorescent lamps emit light radially, i.e. in all directions away from their axis. All the light they emit that is heading up or otherwise into the wood is being largely wasted, so reflectors are a really good idea if you want to get the most out of your lamps.

Simply painting the inside of the hood white will help. Lining the hood with aluminium foil is a cheap solution. Lining with mylar film is better, it reflects more light and does not cloud up as foil will. Purpose built reflectors are the best bet, but these cost. Look at your budget, and the amount of effort you are prepared to take and choose the solution that fits. I expect other people will have other suggestions.

For building caves etc., you MUST use a silicone that is rated for aquarium use. Most sealants for domestic and building use have fungicides in them to prevent mould growth. This will kill your stock.

 

[j@mie]

Fluorescent lamps emit light radially, i.e. in all directions away from their axis. All the light they emit that is heading up or otherwise into the wood is being largely wasted, so reflectors are a really good idea if you want to get the most out of your lamps.

Simply painting the inside of the hood white will help. Lining the hood with aluminium foil is a cheap solution. Lining with mylar film is better, it reflects more light and does not cloud up as foil will. Purpose built reflectors are the best bet, but these cost. Look at your budget, and the amount of effort you are prepared to take and choose the solution that fits. I expect other people will have other suggestions.

For building caves etc., you MUST use a silicone that is rated for aquarium use. Most sealants for domestic and building use have fungicides in them to prevent mould growth. This will kill your stock.

what about little mirrors stuck to the inside of the hood ?

 

[Lateral Line]

Yup, but note many mirrors do not like to get water on their edges, the reflective surface tends to detatch from the glass. If you have them to hand, then use them. Will make your hood heavier which may be a consideration if you are in the habit of lifting your hood off for maintenance.

 

[fufanu360]

i tried aluminum foil... did absolutly NOTHING

 

[donkey]

Tin foil is not a reflector it's a diffuser. Don't believe me? Try this. Take a sheet of tin foil. Point one of those inexpensive laser pointers at it, or even a bright flashlight. Notice how scattered the reflection is? That's because the tin foil is a poor reflector. Shine that same light source in a mirror. Note the difference. White paint actually makes a better reflector in a DIY fixture than does tin foil. If you head to a craft shop or your local dope growers supply (hydroponics) store you should be able to find mylar sheeting. It makes a good reflector

 

[Lateral Line]

>>> reflector it's a diffuser

It does not matter that the light is scattered in various directions, the point is, it is scattered back down towards the tank. If you want to be experimental, take a piece of Aluminium foil that has not been crinkled up and look at your reflection in it. Now tell me it does not reflect.

>>> Notice how scattered the reflection is?

Ah, so you accept that it does reflect?

Mylar if crumpled, will reflect in random directions, a bunch of small mirrors not perfectly aligned will reflect in different directions. We are trying to increase light downward, not create an image or something.

 

[donkey]

yes its true what your saying but it is still true to say that tin foil is not very good at increaseing the light downward. the best thing to use tin foil for is wrapping the chicken in .and why would you want to get some mylar and crumplel it up ? even white pain is better than tin foil .i have tested this myself with a light meter. get yourself a light meter and test it yourself . mirror whiite pain and mylar for fish tank hoods . tin foil for the chicken

 

[Great Lakes]

Best thing going is a roll of aluminum tape. You might have to trim it for width depending on the bulb.
But you just apply it directly to the bulb half that faces the top of the hood.

I believe it is URI that makes a bulb with an internal reflector in this fashion


GL

 

[BigC]

I have made my own reflectors using 4inch rainwater pipe sliced down the middle and then painted white drill two holes in the pipe and screw the tube holders through the pipe and on to the aquarium lid.
Hope this is of help...