Hi all With using Tin foil as a reflector, the foil gets a dull colour due to evapouration taking place. I have used reflective self adhesive graphics material , it works well, but over a period of time, a year the coating does start to tarnish. I have found however the best yet reflective material, it is a highy polished aluminium sheet that the guys use for sky lights. I managed to get a length thereof, it has a plastic covering sheet to protect the polished area,once removed, man I tell you, it is the best yet, that I discovered. Unfortunately these sheets are quite pricy if one wishes to purchase.last price quoted from the supplier,as this product is imported from belguim R 220.00 for a size of 1mtr x 400mm. The sheets are all precut, so all one has to do, if you have friends in the steel business who has a bender, then they can bend it to any profile you want, but remember, if you do bend it, and you make an error and you try to straighten it again it will break. Try to cut the sheet via a guillotine and bend to maximise the light output. If anybody is interested, I can try to get some more,bend and cut it .
I used reflectors from a flourescent light fitting as used in office complexes. (see my Brazil stream biotope thread). Much cheaper and does the same job. You just need to find a place that does demolishions, or chat up the maintenance people at your work. They often toss these things out when the hinges break.
for Alanod try Arcona International 14 Basil Street Ferndale Randburg Tel: (011) 792-9308 R270 for 1250x1000 Other Sizes: 1250x1600 and 1250x1800
I remember reading a thread on reef central where they took different materials for reflectors and measured the light intensity at different distances. This was for florescent tubes (normal and high out put).They used mylar , the reflective aluminium, and other surfaces. one of the best performing surfaces was a matt white painted surface. James
James Mylar is used, but nobody stocks it in SA, and to import it ,it comes in a roll of a certain legth and width,so if you do your sums,it is not worthwhile.
Hi all yopu can get mylar from the Grow Shop. they have branches in JHB and CT and also do mail order. Mylar is R80 per meter. www.windell.co.za
If I remember correctly, then a white painted surface out performed mylar. This was the big surprise. So don't worry about all your fancy surfaces, just paint a mat white paint that is fish safe.
that is interesting and sad news as i have painted 2 canopies that way...ill just spray some matt over next time im free. Weird though, you would think matt would disperse light more and gloss would have a smoother surface and reflect more light. Perhaps its a case that glossy reflects alot more light out the tank than the matt would....im getting confused thinking about it, might just have to accept.
thanks R.C. ive tried to get perspex but have not had much luck in jhb but im sure i could have looked harder. I see grow shop has the mylar for R80 and the shop is a stone throw away. Im redoing my 2ft and want it to be open top with luminaire style fittings, DIY of course. i will try the mylar thing and see what comes of it...
DIY wooden hood, Perspex glued and silicone sealed, not only serves as a good reflector, but also protects the wood from moisture. Also, unlike white paint, it doesn't discolor (become yellow) with time. Maizey's almost always have off-cut pieces and I got mine at no cost. I've got a Hopar PL unit on an open top 1.5ft, which I think has a Mylar reflector. If I had to DIY, I'd probably also go with Mylar. If on a tight budget, some have had great results with PVC gutters (ghetto is not my cup of tea, though). Don't know about the JHB branch, but the one in Obz is one of my favorite stores.
Got my Mylar from the Groshop Randburg, was their last piece and I got it for free. So far its held up pretty well in my 4ft and makeshift 2ft lighting unit
@neilh---how long ago was this? i was planning on stopping by tomorrow. ill give them a call to double check though...
