Help traping more light

[rogergolf66]

well some of you know my setup some don't. I have a 125 inwall reef. I am looking for a way to keep more of the light in the tank. I am lighting up the back wall of my fish room. It seems that is a lot of light to loss but maybe not.

Any ideas?

Roger

 

[chrismhaase]

Cheap way -->Why don't you use aluminum foil back there? Leave a couple inch gap at the top to allow hot air to escape and this can help.

-->Also have to inside of the canopy/enclosure painted white.

Best way -->If you don't want to use the foil, I think you could use a reflector like this http://www.hellolights.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=583

 

[magnoliarichj]

have a piece of mirror cut to size.

 

[Don Lino]

I was just told, being that I have this same issue, that shade cloth will work great. I am definately going to give this a try.

 

[chrismhaase]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11218215#post11218215 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Don Lino
I was just told, being that I have this same issue, that shade cloth will work great. I am definately going to give this a try.

I guess I misunderstood the question; are you trying to reflect it or stop it from going into your fishroom?

If you are trying to trap it, then yes the cloth will work great. If you are trying to reflect it, I think some people have offered some plausible ideas.

 

[mlivvy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11218215#post11218215 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Don Lino
I was just told, being that I have this same issue, that shade cloth will work great. I am definately going to give this a try.

Damn with how hot MH lamps get, I wouldn't mess with any kind of cloth near the lights. :eek2:

 

[Don Lino]

That may be true, good thing I only run T5's

 

[mlivvy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11218464#post11218464 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Don Lino
That may be true, good thing I only run T5's

owned.

well.. half way owned. roger runs mh's

 

[rogergolf66]

I want it to go into the tank not trying to trap it. I have good light in the tank but it is not cheep to run so don't really want to pay to light the fish room with them

 

[triggerfish1976]

Get different reflectors. Putting a mirror on the back will direct it back toward the front but not necessarily into the tank.
Lumenarc or other like reflectors direct the light into the tank more efficiently than spider reflectors which I assume you are using.

 

[gsellers1245]

its not worth redirecting the light back in....it will cost you more in materials to make then it will be beneficial...With a high quality reflector you can go wrong. Consider it free electricity or 2 birds with one stone

 

[gsellers1245]

putting a mirror on the tank is not worth it either
Mirrors create hot spots, and since the reflective material is behind glass the reflected light has passed through the glass twice before reaching the tank thus losing alot of light output

 

[BlueCoast]

quality reflectors do AMAZING things with light... Without seeing the latest on the setup... I remember when you were trying to find brackets for some T5 mounts. It would be cool if someone had some decent thickness mylar, but I've only seen it mail order. Gsellers hit the mirror problem on the head, you would be better with flat white paint than mirror.

 

[chrismhaase]

Roger what kind of reflectors are you using currently?

 

[landragon]

You can get Mylar at Wormsway in Tampa. They sell shiny and specular which is washable and tougher, as well as diffusing the light without hot spots. I used to use it in VHO canopies, and would spray-adhesive it to the inside to get as much light back down as possible when the customer didn't want to splurge on reflectors. I may still have some laying around my messy garage. How many Sq. Ft. are we talking?

 

[rogergolf66]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11227210#post11227210 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by chrismhaase
Roger what kind of reflectors are you using currently?

reefstar reflectors. I don't think the problem is the reflector as I need to hand the lights about 10inches above the tank and the tank is only 18 inches deep is the problem.


Roger