View Full Version : Using aluminum foil as light reflectors
Riso-chan
02-08-2005, 6:57 PM
Just a curiousity of mine: I wondered if one placed foil behind the light like a standard reflector a flourescent fixture has, would it increases the light? I just tried this theory out by folding some foil and taping it in place behind the tube, making sure it didn't come in contact with the bulb. When I turned it on, the light was brighter than before. I don't know exactly how to determine by how much of an increase this is, but I just wanted others opinions on this idea, and possibly its affects. By the way, I believe this should be safe since foil is made to be capable of using in a microwave or an oven. :)
Mooch28
02-08-2005, 6:59 PM
It may if you keep it wrinkle free, because then it would just scatter the light unevenly. Probably still wont be as good as a real reflector though, but it should give more light.....just pure speculation here though.
Or you could 'stress' the foil so that it really made the light sourse multi directional, sort of like a diffuser. I have heard that bright white (like bristol board or paper) reflects something like 97% of light, very close to the 99% that a mirror reflects. The trick is in having the light reflect into the tank, not back to the emitting bulb.
Karnaaj
02-08-2005, 9:08 PM
Aluminum foil is a light diffuser, exactly the opposite of what you want. All you have to do is shine a flashlight at it to see what I mean.
Wouldn't it be ideal to be diffused, yet directed? What I mean is you can 'aim' the reflection of diffused light to where you want it in the tank.
Foil is not nearly as effective as a plain white surface, at reflecting fluorescent light.
If you have white units don't cover them.
The only surface better, to my knowledge, is polished aluminum.
Len