Hello everyone, I have a question. I am building a canopy for an 80 gallon, (48" wide) tank. I am installing 2 250w Metal Halides and 4 t-5s. It is a tight fit and I just happen to have a bunch of mirrors 1/4" thick, 42"x17" that are perfect size for the inside top of the canopy. Instead of using reflectors I am thinking of using the mirror which would save tons of space, and possibly cutting another one up to use on the sides and ends inside. Would the heat be too much for the mirrors? I'm sure I'm going to install a fan as well. Thanks for any advice. Bryan.
Mirrored Canopy
- Thread starter BryanJen
- Start date
Ken668
New member
Even then, I'm pretty sure mirrors are more efficient then polished reflectors. One thing that might not work in your favor is the shape of the canopy as compared to a reflector that is optimized to direct the light into the tank. I would say give it a shot. Also keep in mind the potential weight of your hood with all those mirror panels.
8BALL_99
New member
Mirrors are about the worse reflectors you can use. The light has to go through the glass twice.. It would be like putting a 1/2 peice of glass between your lights and tank. Flat white paint works 10 times better.. Just try a search on it there are several threads about it already. HTH
energy_crisis
New member
Ya, polished aluminum reflectors are more efficient than mirrors by far.
hllywd
Premier World Traveler
Regular back-coated mirrors are from 75% up to about 90% reflective for really good ones. Front surface mirrors up to about 98% including coated aluminum, (not to be confused with polished aluminum) like reflector material or SolaTube material.
In other words - regular mirrors, not so good.
Tim
In other words - regular mirrors, not so good.
Tim
Well, thanks for all the info, I had no idea mirrors weren't efficient. I am trying to build the canopy and make it as attractive as possible, there will be about 10 inches between the bottom of the canopy and the tank. I was thinking the mirrors would look much "cleaner" under the canopy, as opposed to a bunch of reflectors. I'm still wondering with that much light in there if I should even be worried about the reflective efficiency of mirrors? I have some polished aluminum that I was going to use for bracketry end to end, I think it would look great... oh well, back to the drawing board I guess... I love building my own stuff!
