"Lumenarc" Reflectors...

[banditpowdercoat]

bringing this thread back from the depths...... Going looking for Alum today. I know I can get regular alum, and just polish it... wonder how long the polish job would last?

[Marlin65]

You could clear coat it with powder. Somehow I think you might know someone who does powder coat.

[brizzo]

Originally Posted by banditpowdercoat

bringing this thread back from the depths...... Going looking for Alum today. I know I can get regular alum, and just polish it... wonder how long the polish job would last?

Check your local hydroponics store... Turns out a shop here in Kelowna manufactures their own reflectors, and was willing to sell me a 4x4' sheet of 98% reflector mirror finish aluminum for $90

[RCFA]

Not that this would be completely practical but what about using actual glass mirror? I know I have a bunch of old mirrors sitting around that could easily be cut up. You could arrange the pieces at different angles by gluing to wood supports or something. what is the reflectivity index of actual mirrors?

[brizzo]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the reason you can't uses mirrors is because it will create hot spots. Similar to using a magnifying glass and the sun

[mike31154]

I've read that mirrors are not an efficient reflective material for lighting. The light needs to pass through the glass to get to the reflective material behind the glass, bounce off and then pass through the glass a second time. Apparently a lot of light is lost in this transition.

[RCFA]

Originally Posted by mike31154

I've read that mirrors are not an efficient reflective material for lighting. The light needs to pass through the glass to get to the reflective material behind the glass, bounce off and then pass through the glass a second time. Apparently a lot of light is lost in this transition.

Makes sense, similar losses to putting 2 sheets of thin glass on top of your tank.