Reflectors

[Delphinus]

EEYYIIII!!! Don't use mirrors or mylar.

As has been said already. But I second the notions.

Mylar will melt.

Mirrors ... probably will crack under the heat. Yes we use glass in our tanks but not OVER our lighting!

(Um ... are we talking about halide lighting here? I just assumed we were.)

Ok, if we're just talking about NO fluorescents, then the risk isn't as great. But you know what, a canopy is an awesome little heat sink. Even NO lighting will get warm.

If you want to cheap out and do some DIY reflectors, here are some suggestions. Take it from the king of cheapskates, these ideas are pretty workable.

1. Polished aluminium flurorescent relfector. You should be able to get it from a hydroponics store. The stuff is as shiny as a mirror ("hey! I can see my face!! [img]images/smiles/icon_razz.gif[/img] ) Inexpensive, and metal, so no issues of shattering or melting. Cuts (tin snips) and bends pretty easy.

2. Aluminium flashing. You can get this stuff in rolls from the hardware store. It's used in roofing (um, I think.) You then go get a rubbing compound called "Brasso" and start rubbing it on the sheet and rubbing it off with a rag. Supposedly this is how you polish up aluminium up to a mirror like finish. Also easy to cut with tin snips but maybe not as easy to shape. But should work just fine.

3. A white background. Go with melamine paint on the inside of the hood, or white marine paint, something like that .... my 50g has this and it's worked fine for me for the last 4 or 5 years. (Although I will be putting reflectors in my new tank that I'm setting up. Splurge city!)