Lighting Enclosure Color (interior)

[Raskolnikov]

Is there any appreciable difference between painting the inside of a wooden lighting enclosure/canopy black or white? Casual observation would lead me to believe that a white interior would reflect more light than a black one (and thus result in more light in the tank). However, would it even be a worthwhile difference?

I ask mostly because I already have some good black exterior paint, and I'd be able to save the cash and the trip to the hardware store if I didn't need to go buy some white. If there's no great advantage to a white interior, I'd just as soon finish painting this project tonight (all in black).

 

[Roan Art]

Good question!

Stands to reason that yes, the white would reflect the light better. All the light strips I've ever seen have been white on the inside, unless they had aluminium reflectors. Even better would be a high gloss white and not a matt white as it would reflect even more.

What I used on my old reptile lights was aluminum duct tape. If you can find some that doesn't have any manufacturer's writing on it rolleyes: ) it reflects *extremely* well -- better than high gloss white imho -- and also keeps the heat away from the canopy.

Roan

 

[Raskolnikov]

Yeah, that's what I was thinking. Though to clarify, I do have reflectors for the bulbs. What I was thinking about was more the excess light bouncing around the inside of the canopy, not directly reflected light.

 

[downloader]

you can do even better, cover the inside of your canopy with shiny sheet metal

www.bluewhippet.net

 

[RTR]

Actually, flat or matte white is more reflective than high-gloss white.

Balck would not be as reflective.

 

[ttan]

yea white is best, and make sure that the metal is very reflective, and put this n perspective tin foil will diffuse the light, which is bad. um someone will know what I am talking bout.

 

[Raskolnikov]

Thanks, all. I opted for the black (and not buying more paint) since I have reflectors, and I couldn't find anything that definitively indicated measureable differences btw colors, beyond that white would reflect 'some more' light.

 

[Captain Hook]

Considering that you already had the reflectors and black paint I'd say you made a good choice. Looks like a nice fixture with lots of light there. Should be able to grow plants pretty well.

 

[ttan]

Your lighting looks nice and neat, wiring is tight as well. Looks like you have some workhorses, what is everything else? Where did you get the parts?

 

[Raskolnikov]

Thanks. That's a '4x55 watt Bright Kit' from http://ahsupply.com/
I've only got a rudimentary understanding of electronics, but it was very easy to assemble. I'd recommend AH Supply to anyone.