Reflecting side light from LED fixture

Jyetman · 10/14/2013, 12:27 PM

Is this possible with aluminum foil or is it a waste of time? I'm trying to fill in some shadowing and hoping to avoid spending $250 for an additional LED fixture.

snulma1 · 10/14/2013, 02:12 PM

probably a waste of time, that kind of foil is not that reflective. But you could look at different optics for the LED, which may spread the light more

Jyetman · 10/14/2013, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snulma1

probably a waste of time, that kind of foil is not that reflective. But you could look at different optics for the LED, which may spread the light more

They already have 90 degree optics and I have the unit hung around 12" above the water line. The tank is 48" long the fixture is 27" long with 3 sets of clusters.

Rbs07fxstc · 10/14/2013, 05:03 PM

I don't think anything you do can cover the 20" that's not covered. Especially with them being clustered. Maybe taking optics out should help.

Ron Reefman · 10/15/2013, 06:31 AM

Leds without lenses are normally 120 degrees. Take the lenses off the outer half of the clusters of leds at either end of the tank. You should gain about 4"-6" of light at each end.

zachts · 10/15/2013, 12:10 PM

you would gain some "brightness" at the ends of the tank by removing some of the optics but you would reduce the amount of light being delivered in the center of the tank and not really gain a usefull amount for coral growth in the dark areas.

Raising the fixture might be a better option, if you'r not at full power then I'd go this route, but you'll have a lot more light spilling out, same as removing optics really.

Now if you don't have things running at full power presently I would just remove all the optics, that should give you enough total spread and light power for the entire tank. Leaving some of the optics on will give you a very hot spot in the middle of the tank, which might be okay depending on your coral placement but would make the light levels very uneven over the lenght of the tank, IMO

10/14/2013, 12:27 PM	#1
Jyetman Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,712	Reflecting side light from LED fixture Is this possible with aluminum foil or is it a waste of time? I'm trying to fill in some shadowing and hoping to avoid spending $250 for an additional LED fixture. Last edited by Jyetman; 10/14/2013 at 01:09 PM.

10/14/2013, 05:03 PM	#4
Rbs07fxstc Registered Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Bartow, Fla Posts: 425	Reflecting side light from LED fixture I don't think anything you do can cover the 20" that's not covered. Especially with them being clustered. Maybe taking optics out should help.

10/15/2013, 06:31 AM	#5
Ron Reefman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cape Coral, FL Posts: 10,431	Leds without lenses are normally 120 degrees. Take the lenses off the outer half of the clusters of leds at either end of the tank. You should gain about 4"-6" of light at each end. __________________ The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. (Neil deGrasse Tyson) Visit my build thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2593017

10/14/2013, 02:12 PM	#2
snulma1 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: New York, NY Posts: 2,281	probably a waste of time, that kind of foil is not that reflective. But you could look at different optics for the LED, which may spread the light more

10/15/2013, 12:10 PM	#6
zachts Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: St. Louis, MO. Posts: 3,259	you would gain some "brightness" at the ends of the tank by removing some of the optics but you would reduce the amount of light being delivered in the center of the tank and not really gain a usefull amount for coral growth in the dark areas. Raising the fixture might be a better option, if you'r not at full power then I'd go this route, but you'll have a lot more light spilling out, same as removing optics really. Now if you don't have things running at full power presently I would just remove all the optics, that should give you enough total spread and light power for the entire tank. Leaving some of the optics on will give you a very hot spot in the middle of the tank, which might be okay depending on your coral placement but would make the light levels very uneven over the lenght of the tank, IMO