Inside canopoy

[barebucta]

I just wanted to know what you guys used to reflect the light in your canopies? Do you just paint the inside? What would you guys recommend? Didn't really just want to paint it, so I was brainstorming and thinking about using tin-foil :scratchch How does that sound?

 

[zahner]

tin foil is useless, I think you'd be better off just painting the inside white with a waterproof epoxy paint if you don't want to use a reflector.

why not use a reflector though? they are pretty cheap, you can pick them up used. what kind of lighting are you planning?

 

[HAVIC]

Before I got a reflector I used White paint, but I recommend a reflector.

 

[aaron]

What Zahner said, just pick yourself up an aluminium reflector, it increases the efficiency of your lights by directing all the light energy down into the water where you want it. I bought a large flat CF reflector from hello lights and bent it like a spider reflector

 

[barebucta]

sorry guys, I shouldn't have been so vauge, I have 2 spider reflectors w/10k MH bulbs. Just though that there might be some sort of stray light hanging around.

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

MH's get hot nd could cause a problem with the tin foil. Whay not add a couple more reflectors to cover any non reflected areas. I am sure you could cut and mount them.

 

[scarf_ace1981]

i too have the inside of my canopy painted white to reflect more light.

go for it.

 

[barebucta]

MH's get hot nd could cause a problem with the tin foil. Whay not add a couple more reflectors to cover any non reflected areas. I am sure you could cut and mount them.

I guess by popular demand reflectors win hands hands down, stupid question, but how come no one has ever mention mirrors as good reflectors? brainstorming......:Thinking:

 

[nanoreefer22]

I guess by popular demand reflectors win hands hands down, stupid question, but how come no one has ever mention mirrors as good reflectors? brainstorming......:Thinking:

They're less reflective than the polished aluminum reflectors

 

[ming]

mirrirs use glass. glass isn't completely clear. they have a extremely light tint of green to it. also, light gets trapped inside the glass and gets reflected back and fourth inside the glass which is lost light. both these combination makes polished aluminum reflectors much better

 

[zahner]

the moisture will also eventually ruin the mirrors. since you already have reflectors, white paint is the way to go.

 

[PalmTree]

I have HQI pendents installed inside my canopy and they each have their own reflectors. I've always went to take the canopy off the tank to paint the inside white but the thought of it makes me cringe. I have a 180.