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Hi,

I currently use an 18w normal (gro-lux) flourescent tube inside a black-painted PVC housing over my planted 15g (24"x12"x12". I read that adding a reflector material above the bulb can help increase the light output. Instead of using aluminum foil, does anyone have any experience using an aluminum reflector that attaches to the tube (something like http://www.arcadia-uk.com/en/130fluorescentreflectors.html)?

Do they really work? One vendor of a similar product here says that it increases the light output by at least 50%. Does that mean it will actually increase the output from 18w to 27w? Or more like bringing it closer to the true 18w output of the tube? If the product truly works as advertised, that would be quite ideal for me, as it would only cost me A$20 instead of buying a new double reflector or CF reflector (>A$80).

Thanks in advance for any advice!

Last edited by upikabu at 02-Oct-2005 06:36

-P

I use lighting from the following company. check it out, they've got some good info on reflectors...though I don't think theirs will work with what you're wanting to do.

http://www.ahsupply.com/

James

If you add a reflector, you will probably nearly double the light.


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i got some a couple of years ago , i think it was $20 for an 18w tube and $40 for a 36w . these are stainless steel and at trade price so i dont know what retail is but they work great

OH TOLEEDY!

A reflector is always a good idea, so you get some of the rays being emittied from the top and sides of the bulb into the aquarium, thus making the bulb more efficient.

Also, painting the hood a dull white will reflect more light than black.

Thanks everyone, I will give this a try.

-P