Diy Reflectors

[dylema]

i read somewhere that aluminum foil is actually a light diffuser not a reflector.

I don't doubt this if the foil is not dead flat but the light would mainly be diffused into the tank so it would still have the right effect.

 

[fozzy_wozzy_woo]

Well i have made my lighting hood and i have lined it with white mdf laminated board. it has increased the lighting in the tank from having no reflectors lets say 100KW ( i cant remember the actual candel watt I got ) and it increased it to 194 KW so s reflection of 94% which i found great and it was cheaper then Mylar just for the extra 3%.

I havent even added all the lights yet and it is looking good....

 

[fozzy_wozzy_woo]

Well i have just cleaned the white laminated MDF and it really comes up clean and is so easy to clean. with the silver you would get the white streaky film over the silver mylar unless you really cleaned it but with the white it doesnt make a diferance.

I would go for the white laminated MDF

 

[TwoTankAmin]

The shape of the reflector as well as the positioning of the bulb relative to it have a major impact on light levels that reach the tank.

A major problem with the common broad flat-top unit is restrike. Much of the light going directly up from the bulb is simply reflected back to the bulb. And when the bulb is positioned too close to the reflector, much of the light going up at other angles is also reflected back to the bulb. In addition to this initial light loss, restrike also increases the temperature in the fluorescent bulb which, in turn, results in overall reduced light output, including the light that is emitted from the downward facing side of the bulb.

One of the best reflectors around is sold by AH Supply check out their site for info on reflectors ad why their's is superior.

 

[fozzy_wozzy_woo]

The shape of the reflector as well as the positioning of the bulb relative to it have a major impact on light levels that reach the tank.

A major problem with the common broad flat-top unit is restrike. Much of the light going directly up from the bulb is simply reflected back to the bulb. And when the bulb is positioned too close to the reflector, much of the light going up at other angles is also reflected back to the bulb. In addition to this initial light loss, restrike also increases the temperature in the fluorescent bulb which, in turn, results in overall reduced light output, including the light that is emitted from the downward facing side of the bulb.

One of the best reflectors around is sold by AH Supply check out their site for info on reflectors ad why their's is superior.

Problem here is that you have to buy the whole hood as well

 

[McMurray]

foss,

can you take a picture of the mdf so i can get an idea of what your talking about??

Also how have you attaced the mdf to the inside as mdf breaks apart when damp??