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DIY Reflectors

LancsRick

LancsRick

Member
Joined
18 Apr 2012
Messages
683
Morning all!

I've just picked up a Trigon 190, with standard T8 lighting. I was intending to see how I got on with the T8s before contemplating the expenditure of T5s, and to that end was going to include reflectors.

Is there any reason why I can't glue some tinfoil to the inside of the lid to act as reflectors and do things that way?

Cheers!
 
won't be as focused reflection back as the parabolic reflectors are but you'll still get the same amount of overall energy reflected back it'll just be more defused acrossed the entire tank rather than focused either way it'll work just fine.

remember shiny side of the tinfoil to the water :)
 
Presumably if anything that would be beneficial though to ensure even light distribution?

I'm going to bond it with tank silicon so that I don't run the risk of introducing any "nasty" chemicals to the tank with Bostik or similar.
 
What's the reflective tape please? It sounds less of a "bodge" solution that my idea of tinfoil.

Cheers.
 
its tape with tinfoil pre-attached :)

rather than using silicone which will be a bitch if you ever rip the foil (highly likely) use double sided sponge tape it'll make it much easier for replacing the foil/fixing rips
 
Thanks for the pointer. I'm just trying to come up with a way to reduce costs if possible, plus I like experimenting!

Also looking at "normal" T8 tubes at 6500k, trying to identify any difference, if any, to the "proper" aquarium tubes. Buying stuff when I can make it myself never really appeals :p.
 
LancsRick said:
Thanks for the pointer. I'm just trying to come up with a way to reduce costs if possible, plus I like experimenting!

Also looking at "normal" T8 tubes at 6500k, trying to identify any difference, if any, to the "proper" aquarium tubes. Buying stuff when I can make it myself never really appeals :p.
Click to expand...

Just paint the inside of the lid white simple and cheap. I remember seeing a thread over on the barr report about testing differnt reflector mediums. If I recall correctly the op used t5s and tested mirror finsh mylar, tinfoil, white paper and a few others and tinfoil gave the best boost to the par readings followed closely by the white paper. The mylar was not very good at all. Ill dig up the thread and link it if I can. Off the shelf 6500k tubes are fine and will only set you back a couple of quid. The aquarium bulbs may have a slightly differnt spectrum but nothing that will help or hinder just cost alot more money
 
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