Aluminum foil effective material for DIY Reflector?

**SCMurphy** · 09-14-2005, 12:26 PM

Rex be nice, aluminum foil is better than nothing, not much better, but better.

I don't know of anyone who wants to argue with the lousy idea of painting the tops of the bulbs though.

Rex Grigg · 09-14-2005, 12:38 PM

If nothing is white paint/plastic then aluminum foil is NOT better than nothing. And even if nothing is nothing then the aluminum foil is maybe going to give you 1% more light in the tank.

But if it makes you feel good...........

**SCMurphy** · 09-14-2005, 03:50 PM

Yes, nothing meant nothing, not a surface with white paint, nor white plastic. However, since a 50% gain over nothing (nothing is still nothing) is possible I'll hold to my statement that it's better than a bulb suspended in the air, lacking a reflective surface above it.

http://www.thekrib.com/Lights/reflectors.html#0

All this has nothing (nothing remains nothing) to do with making me feel good.

I also hold to my first suggestion that the specular aluminum reflectors, parabolic preferably, are the best idea.

**random_alias** · 09-14-2005, 11:38 PM

I bought a shoplight that had a nice semi-gloss white painted finish. I tried lining it with aluminum foil but the foil was too unruly. I instead purchased some foil plumber's tape.

I lined the underside with this tape and then observed the brightness of the tank, the color of the lighting, and the plant pearling as compared to using the original white paint only.

The results of my findings:

I am sorry but I do not have a picture of the time I wasted.

Rex Grigg · 09-15-2005, 12:00 AM

Any type of metal foil (with the exception of mylar) is not going to have a finish that will make a good reflector.

**DiabloCanine** · 09-15-2005, 04:20 AM

If you are going to paint use flat white it reflects better (suprised me), check out hydroponic forums for info. Mylar is cheap but you will have a tough time finding a place that will sell you a little. I bought a 50 foot roll for 20 bucks at a hydroponics shop, enough to last a lifetime.

**DiabloCanine** · 09-15-2005, 04:26 AM

Let me clarify something, when I say paint, I mean the canopy not the bulb. Painting a bulb is dangerous. Keep in mind when using a reflective material that wrinkles are negative reflectivity and actually become absorbent. Hydroponic forums are very educational in this area.

John P. · 09-15-2005, 06:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DiabloCanine

flat white

... probably doesn't resist moisture as well though.

09-14-2005, 12:26 PM	#16
SCMurphy PT Biologist (View User Tanks) PTrader: (4/100%) Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Maryland USA Posts: 3,198	Rex be nice, aluminum foil is better than nothing, not much better, but better. I don't know of anyone who wants to argue with the lousy idea of painting the tops of the bulbs though. __________________ Sean Aquascape? I'm a crypt farmer. It's a fine line between fishing and standing on the shore looking like an idiot. That IS an aquascape, it's titled "The Vacant Lot".

09-14-2005, 03:50 PM	#18
SCMurphy PT Biologist (View User Tanks) PTrader: (4/100%) Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Maryland USA Posts: 3,198	Yes, nothing meant nothing, not a surface with white paint, nor white plastic. However, since a 50% gain over nothing (nothing is still nothing) is possible I'll hold to my statement that it's better than a bulb suspended in the air, lacking a reflective surface above it. http://www.thekrib.com/Lights/reflectors.html#0 All this has nothing (nothing remains nothing) to do with making me feel good. I also hold to my first suggestion that the specular aluminum reflectors, parabolic preferably, are the best idea. __________________ Sean Aquascape? I'm a crypt farmer. It's a fine line between fishing and standing on the shore looking like an idiot. That IS an aquascape, it's titled "The Vacant Lot".

09-14-2005, 11:38 PM	#19
random_alias Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (18/100%) Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: NC Posts: 838	I bought a shoplight that had a nice semi-gloss white painted finish. I tried lining it with aluminum foil but the foil was too unruly. I instead purchased some foil plumber's tape. I lined the underside with this tape and then observed the brightness of the tank, the color of the lighting, and the plant pearling as compared to using the original white paint only. The results of my findings: I am sorry but I do not have a picture of the time I wasted. __________________ "Insanity: doing [or asking] the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

09-14-2005, 12:38 PM	#17
Rex Grigg Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (65/100%) Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Portland Orygun Posts: 9,600	If nothing is white paint/plastic then aluminum foil is NOT better than nothing. And even if nothing is nothing then the aluminum foil is maybe going to give you 1% more light in the tank. But if it makes you feel good...........

09-15-2005, 12:00 AM	#20
Rex Grigg Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (65/100%) Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Portland Orygun Posts: 9,600	Any type of metal foil (with the exception of mylar) is not going to have a finish that will make a good reflector.

09-15-2005, 04:20 AM	#21
DiabloCanine Everyone has an opinion (View User Tanks) PTrader: (88/100%) Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Greenwood Posts: 1,674	If you are going to paint use flat white it reflects better (suprised me), check out hydroponic forums for info. Mylar is cheap but you will have a tough time finding a place that will sell you a little. I bought a 50 foot roll for 20 bucks at a hydroponics shop, enough to last a lifetime.

09-15-2005, 04:26 AM	#22
DiabloCanine Everyone has an opinion (View User Tanks) PTrader: (88/100%) Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Greenwood Posts: 1,674	Let me clarify something, when I say paint, I mean the canopy not the bulb. Painting a bulb is dangerous. Keep in mind when using a reflective material that wrinkles are negative reflectivity and actually become absorbent. Hydroponic forums are very educational in this area.