Light reflectors

PedriCronje · 02/07/2008, 06:08 AM

Hi, I tried to post this here, but it ended up in the Coral Propagation and Aquaculture section . (Can a admin please delete it from there?)

Anyway,

Can I use mirrors as Light reflectors, and has anyone ever tried these. The space on my tanks is limited (12" x 12"), and I'm currently using 2 10W t8's.

Thanks

Pedri

indydog1 · 02/07/2008, 07:56 AM

tagging along on this one.

glxtrix · 02/07/2008, 07:59 AM

this has been a topic few have touched on....from a guessing stand point my reef club thought that it was a bad idea. mainly because the reflective property of a mirror is only made by paint. And its possible that the paint could bubble under the heat of the lamps. But seeing as tho you only have 2 T-8's, I guess you could give it a try. Personally tho I'd rather get some reflective metal from HD or lowes and make my own reflector to fit.

PedriCronje · 02/07/2008, 08:38 AM

Thanks glxtrix,

The reason that I'm thinking of using Mirrors, are as follows: Around here, I need to order reflectors from a local supplier, who then tells me that I need to wait up to a month for the reflectors to arrive as no one stocks them.

I'll give it a trial, and let you know what happened.

Thanks

Pedri

dsanfilippo · 02/07/2008, 10:34 AM

it is not the paint that is reflective, it is a thin layer of metal plated to the mirror, that is then painted to protect the plating from scratches.

TomRep · 02/07/2008, 11:28 AM

I've also read mirrors aren't good to use as the light has to travel through the glass twice (into the glass to get to the mirror, then back through the glass to be reflected) and greatly reduces the stregth of the light. Not sure if it lowers par or what exactly, just what I've read.
tom

DarG · 02/07/2008, 12:54 PM

I think I read that white paint is a better reflector than a mirror. Id just save some money on the mirror, use white paint while waiting on some actual reflectors.

PedriCronje · 02/08/2008, 02:01 AM

Thanks all,

Maybe I should just wait for the reflectors, it seems that the mirror Idea isn't as good as I thought.

Pedri

02/07/2008, 06:08 AM	#1
PedriCronje Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: South-Africa Posts: 41	Light reflectors Hi, I tried to post this here, but it ended up in the Coral Propagation and Aquaculture section . (Can a admin please delete it from there?) Anyway, Can I use mirrors as Light reflectors, and has anyone ever tried these. The space on my tanks is limited (12" x 12"), and I'm currently using 2 10W t8's. Thanks Pedri

02/07/2008, 07:56 AM	#2
indydog1 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: round lake, il Posts: 1,590	tagging along on this one. __________________ Learn from the mistakes of others. You can't live long enough to make them all yourself Current Tank Info: 210 gal

02/07/2008, 11:28 AM	#6
TomRep Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Fleetwood, PA 19522 Posts: 1,219	I've also read mirrors aren't good to use as the light has to travel through the glass twice (into the glass to get to the mirror, then back through the glass to be reflected) and greatly reduces the stregth of the light. Not sure if it lowers par or what exactly, just what I've read. tom __________________ "I got me a big wave, ride me a big wave, got me a big..WAVE!" Ed Vedder It's a reef thing, you wouldn't understand! Current Tank Info: 50 breeder w/o sump mixed reef, sps dominant. NEP T5 fixture with no stock bulbs, Bermuda Rogue HOB skimmer, canister filter, DIY hang on fuge, 2x modded MJ400's, Tunze Osmolator ATO, Randy's 2 part dosed with and Aquamedic twin

02/07/2008, 07:59 AM	#3
glxtrix Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: ATL, GA Posts: 882	this has been a topic few have touched on....from a guessing stand point my reef club thought that it was a bad idea. mainly because the reflective property of a mirror is only made by paint. And its possible that the paint could bubble under the heat of the lamps. But seeing as tho you only have 2 T-8's, I guess you could give it a try. Personally tho I'd rather get some reflective metal from HD or lowes and make my own reflector to fit.

02/07/2008, 08:38 AM	#4
PedriCronje Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: South-Africa Posts: 41	Thanks glxtrix, The reason that I'm thinking of using Mirrors, are as follows: Around here, I need to order reflectors from a local supplier, who then tells me that I need to wait up to a month for the reflectors to arrive as no one stocks them. I'll give it a trial, and let you know what happened. Thanks Pedri

02/07/2008, 10:34 AM	#5
dsanfilippo Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 151	it is not the paint that is reflective, it is a thin layer of metal plated to the mirror, that is then painted to protect the plating from scratches.

02/07/2008, 12:54 PM	#7
DarG Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,515	I think I read that white paint is a better reflector than a mirror. Id just save some money on the mirror, use white paint while waiting on some actual reflectors.

02/08/2008, 02:01 AM	#8
PedriCronje Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: South-Africa Posts: 41	Thanks all, Maybe I should just wait for the reflectors, it seems that the mirror Idea isn't as good as I thought. Pedri