to enlighte your lights

[shrimpster97]

has anyone ever used foil to make their lights reflect to get more light? i know they have that mylar sheeting, but it looks just like tin foil.

is this even possible? i thought there might be an electricity dissaster, because metal conducts electricity.

 

[Lateral Line]

I used to make my DIY reflectors from aluminium foil. As long as you are careful, it works well. Be aware that under warm moist conditions it can corrode, a white hydroxide forms, if you notice this, clean it off outside of the tank, do not let it drop into the tank.

Mylar is more reflective and inert. Is better, but more expensive.

 

[smithrc]

yep - used to use foil...

but saved up a few quid and got the real things in the end as they are a lot flatter and shineier

the fiol disscolours after a while too.

 

[maestro]

foil doesnt work well, i read an article about it, it absorbs alot of the light rather than reflecting it

 

[shrimpster97]

thanks, everyone that helped ALOT!

 

[Lateral Line]

>>> it absorbs alot of the light rather than reflecting it

Odd that many of the worlds best astronomical telescopes use a fine layer of Aluminium as their final layer for highest reflection then.

Ally is very reflective, but does corrode. Even corroded Ally is better at reflecting then wood.

http/www.schoolsobservatory.org.uk/tel/l...sign/mirror.htm

 

[maestro]

From rex griggs, a planted tank expert

"If you build your own light fixtures you might be tempted to use tin foil as a reflector because it's shiny, cheap and available. Well think again kid. 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 also"