Tin Foil For A Reflector

[ptyson21]

As it says in the title will tin foil be ok as a reflector instead of paying over £5 for the things?
Anyone use it thereselves?
Cheers

 

[Neo8223]

Use tin foil on my REALLLY small tank. Its not particularly brilliant but it does work. It is deffinatly not as efficient as the real thing and i really would invest the cash in to it.

I canty really think of any cheap EFFECTIVE DIY way of doing it.

 

[chrisdoesntmiss]

I use it rather than the expensive reflectors. Only problem is that aluminium foil will eventually disintegate as it dissolves in low ph levels. You will get dissolved aluminium in the water and its not to nice. If you want to use it however replace it once a week. I use Tesco Value and go through a 40 pence roll one every couple of months.

Just a thought but the proper reflectors do a better job in the long run.

Chris

 

[angelmouse]

i used some mirror finish sticky back plastic from B&Q works a treat, was able to line whole lid with less than 1 roll of it

 

[chrisdoesntmiss]

i used some mirror finish sticky back plastic from B&Q works a treat, was able to line whole lid with less than 1 roll of it

Thats a brilliant idea. How much did the roll cost you?

 

[Underwurlde]

Tin foil is surprisingly useless as it does more to scatter the light than to reflect it.

Those reflectors are expensive but are worth it: They MUST be used in my opinion otherwise you are only getting about 30-40% rating out of your bulbs. When people mention 'Watts per Gallon', 'How much lighting have you got' etc. etc. this is for bulbs WITH reflectors. It makes a HUGE difference, so don't be tempted to skimp on it (especially in planted tanks). Also, bear in mind that the SHAPE of the proper reflectors comes into the equation as well.

TBH, DIY'ing such a thing appears on the surface to be relatively easy, but as is the case with most things in life, it is not.

Andy

 

[chrisdoesntmiss]

Granted its not the same as the mirror finish of a reflector but it does still provide an adequate, cheap solution. They do scatter the light slightly but it is better than using nothing at all.

Chris

 

[Underwurlde]

Yes I agree, they are better than nothing... but only marginally! Like I say, if you don't use a reflector you're wasting money on good bulbs (because they are instantly 60% derated without) and you're also throwing away over half the electricity to power them, so a completely false economy IMHO.

Andy

 

[chrisdoesntmiss]

True but when you have four tubes and then need to buy 4 refelctors, as in my case. Budget didnt quite cut it that month. It is using the thought that "its better than nothing", lol

 

[angelmouse]

i used some mirror finish sticky back plastic from B&Q works a treat, was able to line whole lid with less than 1 roll of it

Thats a brilliant idea. How much did the roll cost you?

Can't remember exact price but it was under £5, get good reflection and good plant growth, thought it might come unstuck but its still stuck firmly. Also use it on another tank with reflectors on the sides and spaces between reflectors to make sure every bit of light is not wasted and reflects back into tank.(they do wood effect as well which i once used to cover my hood so it matched my stand)

Recomended by Blue Peter
Angel

 

[ptyson21]

I did the same with the plastic fablon for my hood to match the stand n it looks great. As for gallons it is 15 UK gallons, 70 litres n it is just the light unit that came with it 15 W, not very much.

 

[Underwurlde]

True but when you have four tubes and then need to buy 4 refelctors, as in my case. Budget didnt quite cut it that month. It is using the thought that "its better than nothing", lol

OK, I know hindsight is a wonderful thing, but if you'd have just got 2 tubes, two transformers (or one, whatever) and 2 reflectors you'd be getting the same light as 4 tubes with no reflectors / tinfoil.

I think using 'proper' reflectors really does make that much of a difference. Did I mention 'false economy'?

Andy

 

[ptyson21]

Cool cool, there seems to be some conflicting views however think i would just go with a reflector. What would be the best bulb to put in my jewel rekord? It has a bulb in at the mo but dunno how old it is, it is gonna be a planted tank.

 

[Underwurlde]

What kind of planted tank?

 

[Stroker]

A little food for thought

aluminum foil is about 60% to 70% reflective
gloss white paint is about 70% to 75% reflective
flat white paint is about 75% to 80% reflective
white plastic is about 70% to 80% reflective
mylar is about 95% reflective