Using aluminum foil as light reflectors

[Riso-chan]

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]

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.

 

[Matak]

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]

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.

 

[Matak]

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.

 

[djlen]

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