Lighting problem

[Paul0582]

At the mo I have rubbish T8's, would love to upgrade to a halide or T5 but just not possible at the mo. My tank looks so dull compared to those with better lighting.
Anyway was in shop yesterday and saw a relector which you put behind the lights and this is supposed to boost the lighting by 100% (bit far fetch me thinks)

Is this worth a try (they are a fiver) or am I just been gullable.
Anyone tried anything like this

[Tetley]

Hi,

What sort of reflector was it ?. Having a good reflector will increase the amount of light getting down in to the tank, but by 100%? - hmm, not so sure.


ATB

[Paul0582]

Not sure, think it was made by arcadia. Just looked like a silver tube cut in half which fitted behind the bulb I think.
Any thing which would increase my light would be a bonus. Just thought Id check see if anyone had any good/bad results with them

[Tetley]

Not sure, think it was made by arcadia. Just looked like a silver tube cut in half which fitted behind the bulb I think.
Any thing which would increase my light would be a bonus. Just thought Id check see if anyone had any good/bad results with them

Hi,

Well the arcadia reflector will help. In the long term, save those pennies and upgrade your lighting.

ATB

[stevieh]

all my t5's have reflectors and they work well

[MR Teee]

Reflectors do increase the amount of light significantly, if you cannot get hold of the arcadia ones, then painting the inside of the hood white, or using some tinfoil will increase the light levels quite a bit.

[Tangman]

Reflectors do increase the amount of light significantly, if you cannot get hold of the arcadia ones, then painting the inside of the hood white, or using some tinfoil will increase the light levels quite a bit.

Or better still paint it with gloss paint and then stick the tinfoil on top so that it sticks to the paint. I did this to my freshwater tanks years ago and it works quite well:D Eric

[moorish]

a reflector does increase the light quite a bit,worth investing in one.derek

[Pinkfish]

I havea hood on my tank and it is painted white and then varnished over with claer marine varnish.

[Pinkfish]

you can make your own reflectors ..... get a piece of that U shaped roofing pipe (cant remember the darn name) drill some holes for the light connectors to go through and also some screw holes to attach it. Then cover with glue (inside of the u pipe and glue sheets of foil onto it. .... try not to get any creases on it.


HTH Mike