Mirrors

[beareef19]

Has anyone ever used or have you heard of anyone using mirrors as a reflective surface for you lights? Pros Cons any comments or web links welcomed

Barry

[caferacermike]

When I first got my 75 it came with a used stand and canopy, custom jobs. The canopy had 6 40w 48" spectrum bulbs and where all touching eachother. They were up against a mirror that covered teh entire surface of the lid. They did an awesome job of lighting up the tank. The only reason I don't use them is I swtiched to halides that hang like pendants.

[LoneStar]

How well would mirrors work with Halides? Would the extra heat associated with halides cause the mirror to heat and crack? The idea of using them seems pretty good on VHO's, T-5's, and Power Compacts.

[akm]

The proublem with using mirrors is that they have to go through a piece of glass twice. Glass reduces the amount of light considerably so using mirrors as relfectors isn't very effective. You'd be better off using reflective aluminum.

[LoneStar]

ahhhh gotcha

[Richard]

If your lining the inside of a canopy you could use reflective mylar which is 10%+ more reflective than polished aluminum. It's not too expensive....


http://www.aquaticeco.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/product.detail/iid/3657/cid/1143

I'm sure you could find even cheaper than aquaticeco.

[caferacermike]

How does Mylar hold up to heat? I'm looking to line an entire canopy 7x3 with it to help recast any reflected light back to the tank. I'm wondering if MH's would melt it?

[auSS/Tin]

I have read on Reefcentral, that a hood painted white is about 95% as reflective as lining the hood with a retro-fit reflector. To get the best focus out of your bulbs, the more expensive and larger angled relfectors really jump up your performance (ie spider reflectors etc.) Point is, a hood painted white is pretty darn reflective.

Bill

[Ram_Puppy]

How does Mylar hold up to heat? I'm looking to line an entire canopy 7x3 with it to help recast any reflected light back to the tank. I'm wondering if MH's would melt it?

Good enough for apollo missions good enough for you! :)

seriously, not sure... but I expect it will hold up.

I just use white paint, plenty reflective (high gloss marine grade)

[caferacermike]

White paint is a good idea but what about that silver spray paint?

[LoneStar]

I've used the marine grade white paint they sell at HD. I laid it on thick and it has a uv blocker built into it.