Would Tin Foil Work As A Reflector?

[aaronnorth]

i have the white ones that come with the tank and was wondering if foil was better.

i have seen the proper aluminium refelctors, i might get these when i get some more money

 

[TribeOfShroom]

I'm not sure about this, but I'll add my part. When I use to propergate seedlings for the vegy patch, I once covered the inside of my wardrobe with tinfoil (yes wardrobe.. it was the easiest and most out of the way place I could get decent seedling without any hassle)

Anyway I found that, if you didn't make sure the tinfoil was flat and without creases it would create heatspots that would burn the leaves of my plants. Now due to refraction of the water surface I'm not sure if this would apply, but it would definately be something I would take into consideration.

 

[ulster exile]

I'm sure this has been discussed and discounted before - something about the tin foil diffusing the light too much and proper reflectors having that nice concave shape which reflects light better. I can't fit reflectors in, the way the light fitting is arranged in my tank, so I use mylar (bought from a hydroponics shop) as a backing, which works quite well for me but probably not as well as a proper reflector.

 

[xxBarneyxx]

I have been using tinfoil on the refugium on my marine tank. A the moment it has two sps corals in there and they seem to be doing fine with it. You can really notice the difference in light intesity with it on and with it off. That being said I still plan to get a proper reflector when I have more then 10 minutes to go and get one.

 

[dave_gray2077]

I used tinfoil in my old 125 litre planted tank and it worked a treat.

The only downside is that it will scatter the light. A proper reflector will be slightly more efficient as they are angled correctly and smother so direct the light better.

I think its splitting hairs more than anything. What we need is someone who can test the light intensity with tin foil and reflectors and with nothing at all.

 

[garuf]

just of note, I found that gloss white paint worked A LOT better than tinfoil ever did.
Give them both a try you may find different, but white paint worked better for me.

 

[RYO]

so I use mylar (bought from a hydroponics shop) as a backing,

Much better way source this is wine boxes (the silver bag) , Added bonus is you have to empty the bag first.

 

[aaronnorth]

so I use mylar (bought from a hydroponics shop) as a backing,

Much better way source this is wine boxes (the silver bag) , Added bonus is you have to empty the bag first.

Ha ha, only 14

 

[lisa_perry75]

Thanks for asking this question, I was wondering myself. In my fluval duo deep 600 the reflectors have warped and keep falling out. I may consider covering them in tinfoil for a while to see what difference it makes.

 

[frozenbarb]

Tinfoil scatters light too much into every directoin. try to aim a laser at the foil and see where it reflects.

like Garuf said use white its better