Foil tape or White glossy paint?

RAGEo2 · 06-06-2011, 11:48 AM

So I have a choice, I have a roll of Foil tape from some duct work done over the winter and some glossy white lacquer paint. What should I use to help get as much light in to my 20H tank?

cggorman · 06-06-2011, 12:38 PM

Despite what I've read, I still vote foil.

jcgd · 06-06-2011, 01:00 PM

It was always my understanding that white is the best reflector. Hence why it is white. But ever else uses polished reflectors... So...

**Hoppy** · 06-06-2011, 03:13 PM

I tested plain flat white paint vs aluminum foil vs aluminized mylar. The aluminum foil was the winner, but not by much over the white paint. The mylar was considerably worse at reflecting light. I wouldn't use glossy white - flat "ultra white" is best.

RAGEo2 · 06-06-2011, 04:10 PM

Thank you, I will go with the foil tape. I imagine it will give it a cleaner look also
.

RickRS · 06-06-2011, 05:50 PM

The metal foil tape is also very easy to apply and ready to go as soon as it's applied.

D'cecilia · 06-06-2011, 06:47 PM

I was just going to head out to buy some Aluminum foil

ahah
Glad I have some back up.

06-06-2011, 11:48 AM	#1
RAGEo2 Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (2/100%) Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 105	Foil tape or White glossy paint? So I have a choice, I have a roll of Foil tape from some duct work done over the winter and some glossy white lacquer paint. What should I use to help get as much light in to my 20H tank? __________________ EHEIM PIMP #322

06-06-2011, 01:00 PM	#3
jcgd Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (6/100%) Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Posts: 1,983	It was always my understanding that white is the best reflector. Hence why it is white. But ever else uses polished reflectors... So... __________________ Follow your Impulse, click here.

06-06-2011, 03:13 PM	#4
Hoppy Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (52/100%) Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 17,198	I tested plain flat white paint vs aluminum foil vs aluminized mylar. The aluminum foil was the winner, but not by much over the white paint. The mylar was considerably worse at reflecting light. I wouldn't use glossy white - flat "ultra white" is best. __________________ Hoppy

06-06-2011, 04:10 PM	#5
RAGEo2 Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (2/100%) Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 105	Thank you, I will go with the foil tape. I imagine it will give it a cleaner look also . __________________ EHEIM PIMP #322

06-06-2011, 05:50 PM	#6
RickRS Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: NW Florida Posts: 221	The metal foil tape is also very easy to apply and ready to go as soon as it's applied. __________________ Eheim Pimp #459 - 2213, 2234 SunSun Pimp #47 - (Perfect) HW302

06-06-2011, 12:38 PM	#2
cggorman Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: May 2009 Location: NW Ohio Posts: 422	Despite what I've read, I still vote foil.

06-06-2011, 06:47 PM	#7
D'cecilia Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: mesa, az Posts: 256	I was just going to head out to buy some Aluminum foil ahah Glad I have some back up. __________________

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