Effectiveness Of White Refletors

[Mako Man111]

Alright, I'm considering getting this fixture for my 20 gallon high to give me 1.5 wpg. With a total of 30 watts of light. It comes with a white reflector for the 24" model. My question is, how effective will this be? Will it hurt my chances at a good low tech setup?

http/www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod...=2004&Nty=1

 

[voo]

I know white does reflect but i cant see it being as good as the proper silver/metal reflectors.

 

[JamesC]

I've done a bit of research of this in the past and have found that a matt white reflector is actually a lot better than most people think and better than tin foil which most people would think is very good. Matt white is about 92% reflective compared to the shiny metal sheet which is about 95% reflective. The type of parabolica used is the most important issue as this will determine how the light is reflected downwards into the tank.

 

[Mako Man111]

I've done a bit of research of this in the past and have found that a matt white reflector is actually a lot better than most people think and better than tin foil which most people would think is very good. Matt white is about 92% reflective compared to the shiny metal sheet which is about 95% reflective. The type of parabolica used is the most important issue as this will determine how the light is reflected downwards into the tank.

So you think the one posted above should be fine?

 

[JamesC]

It's probably not too bad but is hard to say as the picture is a hard to see properly. A good parabolica reflector will reflect the light that is emitted upwards from the tube back down into the tank. The reflector in the piture looks like it just reflects light out in all directions so will not be as efficient. To be honest I wouldn't be too worried about it as it will still work pretty well for what you want.

 

[Mako Man111]

It's probably not too bad but is hard to say as the picture is a hard to see properly. A good parabolica reflector will reflect the light that is emitted upwards from the tube back down into the tank. The reflector in the piture looks like it just reflects light out in all directions so will not be as efficient. To be honest I wouldn't be too worried about it as it will still work pretty well for what you want.

Sounds good, does anybody else have an opinion?