Thoughts on using a mirror instead of parabolic reflector for VHO lamps.

n8rad · 02/14/2007, 11:33 AM

In my 120 im tackling the issue of light. I will be going with 4 4' 110watt VHO bulbs. 2 10k and 2 actinic. My main concern is instead of using a polished aluminum reflector, can't i just put a 3.5' sheet of mirrored glass under the bulbs and expect that to make it even brighter? I know that using an aluminum relflector will be better, but not enough to justify the hassle of finding a sheet and making the bends in it, when glass will be better than nothing.
Has anybody tried or seen something like this done before?
Thanks,
Nate

rustybucket145 · 02/14/2007, 11:54 AM

The only problem with mirrors is that the light actually has to pass through the glass, be reflected, and pass back through the glass, then make it's way down to your tank. This would be equivalent to having a stack of glass over your tank. It will diminish the power of your lights.

Also! A flat surface like a mirror is not going to reflect flourescent tube bulbs very well at all. In essence it will greatly 'scatter' the light beams and few will actually make it in the tank.

You should really look into the parabolic reflectors specifically built for VHO tubes. They will greatly increase your light intensity.

Here's an example of what I'm talking about:

http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod...GroupKey=10951

n8rad · 02/14/2007, 12:10 PM

but still its going to look a whole lot better than just scewing 4 bulbs into the wood on the canopy right?

i dont eat fish · 02/14/2007, 12:30 PM

why not just get the VHO bulbs with internal reflectors?

n8rad · 02/14/2007, 12:33 PM

I see that advertised on every bulb ive seen online. Can anybody explain that terminology?

Craig Lambert · 02/14/2007, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bimmernate
I see that advertised on every bulb ive seen online. Can anybody explain that terminology?

All URI brand VHO bulbs are constructed with an internal reflector. It is inside the tube itself so the majority of the light isdirected over 180 degrees rather than 360 degrees.

n8rad · 02/14/2007, 01:13 PM

so what would you do? (anybody can answer)

02/14/2007, 11:33 AM	#1
n8rad Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Idaho, USA Posts: 374	Thoughts on using a mirror instead of parabolic reflector for VHO lamps. In my 120 im tackling the issue of light. I will be going with 4 4' 110watt VHO bulbs. 2 10k and 2 actinic. My main concern is instead of using a polished aluminum reflector, can't i just put a 3.5' sheet of mirrored glass under the bulbs and expect that to make it even brighter? I know that using an aluminum relflector will be better, but not enough to justify the hassle of finding a sheet and making the bends in it, when glass will be better than nothing. Has anybody tried or seen something like this done before? Thanks, Nate

02/14/2007, 11:54 AM	#2
rustybucket145 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: valdosta, ga Posts: 3,707	The only problem with mirrors is that the light actually has to pass through the glass, be reflected, and pass back through the glass, then make it's way down to your tank. This would be equivalent to having a stack of glass over your tank. It will diminish the power of your lights. Also! A flat surface like a mirror is not going to reflect flourescent tube bulbs very well at all. In essence it will greatly 'scatter' the light beams and few will actually make it in the tank. You should really look into the parabolic reflectors specifically built for VHO tubes. They will greatly increase your light intensity. Here's an example of what I'm talking about: http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod...GroupKey=10951 __________________ 400gals of various tanks in the same system. Current Tank Info: 2 175w MH, 2 VH0 Actinics, Lots of Live Rock, tons of copepods, a Fat Mandarin Goby, Niger Trigger, Yellow Tang, Falco Hawkfish, Bi-Color Pseudo, numerous soft, SPS and LPS Corals

02/14/2007, 12:10 PM	#3
n8rad Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Idaho, USA Posts: 374	but still its going to look a whole lot better than just scewing 4 bulbs into the wood on the canopy right? __________________ Current Tank: DSA NEO 185, Bubble King SM 250, Red Dragon 3 80w, DIY/GEO 612 CaRx, Deltec km500, Gyre 150, (4) Tunze 6105's, (4) AI Hydra 52's 360 gallon Envision in the works

02/14/2007, 12:33 PM	#5
n8rad Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Idaho, USA Posts: 374	I see that advertised on every bulb ive seen online. Can anybody explain that terminology? __________________ Current Tank: DSA NEO 185, Bubble King SM 250, Red Dragon 3 80w, DIY/GEO 612 CaRx, Deltec km500, Gyre 150, (4) Tunze 6105's, (4) AI Hydra 52's 360 gallon Envision in the works

02/14/2007, 01:13 PM	#7
n8rad Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Idaho, USA Posts: 374	so what would you do? (anybody can answer) __________________ Current Tank: DSA NEO 185, Bubble King SM 250, Red Dragon 3 80w, DIY/GEO 612 CaRx, Deltec km500, Gyre 150, (4) Tunze 6105's, (4) AI Hydra 52's 360 gallon Envision in the works

02/14/2007, 12:30 PM	#4
i dont eat fish Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 166	why not just get the VHO bulbs with internal reflectors?