Replace Reflectors

[shrimply]

Hi,

This is just a general interest thread, I'm quite sure none of you replace your reflectors regularly, although I may be wrong.

I was reading an article ( admittedly it was written by Arcadia) but they reckon that the reflective properties of their reflectors decrease over time. The article was in regards to reptiles and UV lighting but I'm sure the same applies to aquatic lighting.

A quote

"Reflectors lose their efficiency over time. Their usual lifespan is around two years before the reflective surface starts to break down. Then, as the quality of reflection is reduced, so is the overall efficiency of the system, and the reflector must be replaced." - John Courteney-Smith, Arcadia, In Practical Reptile Keeping Magazine, May addition 2012.

Of course there is no data here, no word on how much the reflective properties are reduced over what time period, and obviously keeping UV constant for reptiles is much more important in a slight decrease of light for plants. But nevertheless I never thought to reflectors as something that needed replaced.

Any thoughts?

 

[tomtomtom1230]

It makes sense when you think about it. Have you ever seen a mirror that's had a lot of light and a lot of liquid exposure? I guess they'll just start to go rusty and dull within a certain amount of time. It'll probably be very good practice to replace the reflectors every couple of years but whether it's worth the hassle is questionable.You could probably just apply a smooth layer of aluminum foil (rather than tin foil since it degrades quicker) and it would be like you renewed your reflectors.

 

[ZoddyZod]

what are your specific relectors made of?

Sounds like a nice way to fleece you from your cash if you ask me.

 

[tomtomtom1230]

I agree with ZoddyZod here. If it was me, just give them a good clean every now and then and if it gets to a point where they're noticeably not reflecting as much light, put a sheet of aluminum foil over it. My reflectors are made of stainless steel and would probably take nearer to 10 years to degrade noticeably (without wiping them down every now and then).

 

[SO19Firearms]

put a sheet of aluminum foil over it.

Foil doesn't work for various reasons. Neither does a mirror (surprisingly)

My reflectors are made of stainless steel

That's probably quite a good example - in two years SS will oxidise reducing it's effectiveness and probably rejuvenated with a polish if you fancied it. That's probably where Arcadia guy is coming from in general, the same as they tow the 2 yr line for their bulbs or whatever.
The fact is neither is probably top notch after two years - but is it worth replacing them? Only to them.....

 

[tomtomtom1230]

Glad to know that actually - the theory of using foil works in my head but not in practise. Thanks for the advise!

Yeah, I wipe mine down every few months if the mood takes me, same with the light covers just to stop residue building up.

Thanks again for some clarification!

 

[SO19Firearms]

I'd better add to that - By it doesn't work, I mean not as effectively as other stuff. Like you're prolly better off painting your surfaces white rather than lining them with foil or [I think] even mylar