Aluminum foil for reflector

[Daveo]

Can I just use some aluminum foil to use as a reflector. Will it make the hood too hot and melt the hood.

Tanks,
Daveo

 

[The-Wolf]

Is you hood plastic?
anyway even if it is the heat (small as that is) will be reflected down towards the tanks surface,
I have lined my tank hood with sliver christmas paper and I have had no problems.

 

[Lateral Line]

Aluminium foil can be used as a reflector. You should be aware though, that over time it clouds up and becomes less effective, but of course, is cheaply replaced. Watch for signs of corrosion as well, particulaly over marine tanks, a white powdery build up.

Mylar film is better if you have a source.

 

[Discomafia]

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=69104&hl=foil

scroll down to the last post by fufanu...

 

[Lateral Line]

The only way lining a hood can not result in more light being reflected down is if the foil is less reflective then the material that was there already. Simple physics.

Expecting a simple reflective coating haphazardly applied to be as effective as a professional reflector is, of course, another matter.

Often people try out a cheap quick modification and expect far more from it then would ever be possible.

 

[Great Lakes]

You can buy a roll of aluminum tape and apply it directly to the bulbs.

I did this and it worked well.

You just have to make sure you align it correctly on the uninstalled bulb so when you install it, it is oriented on top.

URI also makes a bulb with an internal reflector, same principal.

GL

 

[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]

I'm not going to repeat myself, I have just entered a response to that of donkey in this thread.

 

[fufanu360]

well i tryed doing this with one of my 24'' bulbs, it didnt improve anything much, i realyl dont notice ANY difference... it was really shiny tinfoil too

 

[donkey]

just keep ya tin foil for the chicken mate

 

[Opcn]

Aluminum foil is a better reflector than white paint, white paint difuses far better, iinfact its impossible to difuse any better than white paint.

A reflector just needs to send the light into the water it doesnt need to be focused defusion is just fine.

 

[donkey]

put a light meter on there and just see how good tin foil is white paint is much better