A crazy idea.... that might be crazy enough to work

[firebirdude]

So while reading the Coral Culture in Suspension article stickied at the top of this forum, I got an idea.

For those that have no sand/rock in their frag tank, what if you put mirrors all along the bottom? Or directly underneath the tank in the recess between tank bottom and structural rim? Would this help reflect, otherwise lost, light back at your corals? Specifically using the coral suspension method.

Or hell, why stop there? What if I affixed mirrors to all 5 sides? Maybe I could bump down to 100W halides. lol :hmm6:

I realize glass naturally reflects some light, but I think we can agree a real mirror could be superior.

 

[mike_cmu04]

A mirror on the bottom may help a little but on the sides i dont think much will be reflected back. Worth a try though take par measurements before and after.

 

[littlefish72]

the mirrors will grow algae so you will have to clean those as well

 

[Steveb]

reflective mylar film might be a better option

http://www.google.com/products/cata...=X&ei=XtfETcWjNcqXtweHxNybBg&ved=0CFAQ8wIwAA#

 

[dahenley]

you could put the mirrors on the outside of the glass, so they will be removable for your viewing pleasure, plus you can see what you need to clean.

i think people have done the mirror on the bottom, but never thought of the sides.
i know a lot of bare bottom tanks become purple boxes, so as long as your a frequent scraper, you will be fine.

 

[firebirdude]

reflective mylar film might be a better option

http://www.google.com/products/cata...=X&ei=XtfETcWjNcqXtweHxNybBg&ved=0CFAQ8wIwAA#

Cool idea :beer:

you could put the mirrors on the outside of the glass, so they will be removable for your viewing pleasure, plus you can see what you need to clean.

Exactly what I was thinking. Like I said, you could put them (or the mylar) underneath the bottom glass. As for viewing pleasure, I don't really care for a true frag tank. Built up coralline would defeat the purpose obviously, but just having the reflective surface in place at all times would be fine with me.

 

[ashtree68]

If it works you could get some really interest growth patterns from stuff.

 

[organism]

reflective mylar film might be a better option

http://www.google.com/products/cata...=X&ei=XtfETcWjNcqXtweHxNybBg&ved=0CFAQ8wIwAA#

+1, mirrors actually absorb more light than they reflect. Realistically though how much light is a coral going to get if it's coming from under it? Maybe some acros that really start branching off of the plug, aside from that not much...

 

[firebirdude]

lol

 

[Qwiv]

White is more reflective than a mirror. All my frag tanks have white bottom and sides until covered on coraline algea

 

[chucktd321]

I did tin foil carefully placed underneath and reflected quite a bit back. But didn't really change much growth patterns besides a couple sps frags growing a little more to the sides then up but who knows if that was due to the reflector on the bottom, overall just a ton of light spill. I also tried the suspension method. I honestly didn't like the suspension method too much cause it didn't make the corals grow faster if not slower and also made it much hard to glue down when all set and done.

 

[MechEng99]

I used tin foil as well - never noticed an improvement.

 

[mr.wilson]

Yes, white is the most reflective and yes it becomes a maintenance issue that will exceed the amount of light you gain.

 

[msr224]

So in making a sump with fuge we would be better to have the baffle between the fuge and other sections done in white than in black as is common....if we wanted to go this route.......

 

[profntbtr]

it would be much more cost effective to paint the outside white. it is much more reflective of useful light than mylar or mirrors and much easier and cheaper to apply

 

[mr.wilson]

it would be much more cost effective to paint the outside white. it is much more reflective of useful light than mylar or mirrors and much easier and cheaper to apply

yup!

 

[derek4real]

I thought of this a couple of years ago, but due to money pinching GF I was not able to fund this project. She thinks one tank is enough, LOL.

I slipped in some TUNZE powerheads in the past and she noticed it on the bank statement. LOL
Bought 4 x 6055s, 2 x 6101s, and a wavebox.

She decide to regulate my expenses in this hobby. LOL

 

[gmpolan]

I thought of this a couple of years ago, but due to money pinching GF I was not able to fund this project. She thinks one tank is enough, LOL.

I slipped in some TUNZE powerheads in the past and she noticed it on the bank statement. LOL
Bought 4 x 6055s, 2 x 6101s, and a wavebox.

She decide to regulate my expenses in this hobby. LOL

Nice, time for a seperate bank account or an offshore, lol...

But yeah, i def think you d be better off just painting white like others have noted.

 

[mr.wilson]

Rule #1, don't let your wife audit your tank account.

 

[coralnut99]

I wouldn't advise placing mirrors inside any tank. The backing will most likely break down and cause issues. Although I agree 100% that white is the most efficient and reflective, mirror sides can produce an interesting visual effect where the glass can be kept clean. Running magnets over the real panel is near impossible in most cases, but where folks use minimal aquascaping it might work.