mylar

[houndour]

I got some mylar from ebay...the stuff i got was advertised for using for plants and it said something about increasing heat levels and light.

I've since been too scared to put it in my hood! Was going to try at weekend so if it boiled my tank i'd be around at least.

Anyone put my mind at rest?

 

[jimbooo]

i've never used it but i've heard it's glorified tin foil, with superior reflective qualities.

it will keep more heat/light in the tank rather than using wattage to light up the underside of your hood (wasting light).

pm bloozoo2 she has a cartload of it. (sorry another "now you tell me" line)

 

[Bloo]

lol I do indeed have it (still only recent) and haven't personally experienced heat increase
It's not quite like tinfoil - but kinda - it's more like shiny foil type paper and does not have the ridigness and ability to conform as tinfoil does. Well at least not the Mylar I bought from eBay - and they claim to be one of the few "official" and legit suppliers.....

 

[houndour]

yeah I already have the stuff. It's been sitting on my sofa for a week now! just too scared to put in in tank...also waiting for government to come knocking on my door to check why I ordered it. It was only £2.99 and was send by special delivery! And has this stuff says that it has to be used for what its advertised for. Isnt this stuff used in spaceships and stuff?

 

[andyj]

I'm going to be ordering a couple of metres of this stuff from Ebay soon, unless anyone's got a couple of sparemetres they want to sell me

 

[leafs]

How would you attach mylar to a light fixture? My light fixture is white so I was thinking of trying something different to see if it helps.

 

[jimbooo]

you dont you line the entire hood with it (silicone glue i suppose unless it's sticky backed which i think some is)

 

[Bloo]

I just used small pieces of double stick tape and that did the trick
andyj - depends how much you need - I still have a stack load but I'm now sending some to Jimboo.

 

[smithrc]

Mylar is a reflective insulater - there will be heat increases using it...
it will keep heat in and reflect more heat from the lights...

Looks like the british summer is over though, so nothing to worry about untill next year

 

[Bloo]

British Summer was over the day I bought my very expensive cooling fan - sorry should have warned you guys......

 

[jimbooo]

yeah tell me about it. i altered all 4 timers to shift the photoperiod, turned the heater right down and a week later gotta put it all back.

what a glorious country we live in. 10 months of grey sky here we come, yeehaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

 

[jimboliana]

The only reason you get an increase in temp is because it reflects heat as well as light (as apposed to aluminum that absorbes both) and because it is so good you get a little free heat from your lights, it is also that good that the back of the mylar is alot cooler than if you had foil behind your lights

 

[houndour]

The only reason you get an increase in temp is because it reflects heat as well as light (as apposed to aluminum that absorbes both) and because it is so good you get a little free heat from your lights, it is also that good that the back of the mylar is alot cooler than if you had foil behind your lights

ooohhh. Thanks. That's useful to know. I shall get myself some double sided sticky things tomorrow and I'll finally attach it to my hood!

 

[Bloo]

just one question Houndour - is it my eyes, or are both sides equally reflective. I honestly can't see one side being shinier than the other

 

[houndour]

I agree I think both side look as reflective as the other.