What would make a better DIY reflector

[Michael Scarn]

I have a 48" shop light over my tank. It's the one that is $12.98 at Lowes. I have seen it mentioned here several times, and I know Howard of TXAquaGardens has several of them. For a while I have been toying with the notion of adding a reflective material to maximize the output of the light. After stopping by Howard's house the other day, I want to go for it. I have read a couple different options that I can use and was wondering which would be better. Option 1 would be to mount aluminum foil to the light. Option 2 would be to use foil tape on the inside of the light. I have read on other sites that the foil tape is the preferred method because it comes out a lot smoother and does not have wrinkles like the aluminum foil might. Cost wise, they are pretty close it'd be about $5 for a can of spray adhesive or $7 for a roll of the tape. So, which route do you guys think would be better?

[greeneyed]

Do you want to concentrate the light?
This will be what is happening with the foil or tape. The light will be reflected off the same angles your reflector is currently.
If you want to scatter the light and make it more even, then flat white paint is your best option.
It all depends on what you are trying to achieve.

[Michael Scarn]

Honestly, I am not sure. I have just read that doing the foil will increase the output of the light by like 30% I have read this in numerous places, and Howard and I talked about it. He said it really does work. I'm basically just trying to get the most out of the light.

[sirphipps]

Well I say try different things and find out what you like the best. Its only a 12$ light. So if you screw it all up your not out much...

[Stickzula]

FWIW mylar is said to be the most reflective material known to man. You could spray glue a space blanket in there if you really wanted to go through the hassle. Should be cheap and effective.

If you really want to increase the "output" enlarge the reflector. I like to accomplish this by building a canopy over the tank and painting the inside brilliant white. This allows more surface for the light to reflect off of, hence increasing the perceived light output.

I wouldn't mess with either the foil or the tape, because while both are shiny, neither are polished. And . . . the shop light people have already made the fixture reflective by painting it white. The results would probably not be worth it. But you never know until you try. . .

I have toyed with the idea of using a shop type light as a hanging fixture, but like you I am not too happy with the amount of light output. I had thought of buying some mirror polished chrome or aluminum stock metal and attaching it to the shop fixture. The work involved coupled with the cost ruled that out. If you were going that route you could just buy a retrofit reflector and attach it to the fixture . . . not cost effective though.

If you really like what Howard has done, just do what he did. Using the same material and technique should yield the same results.

[Edog610]

I rigged up 9 CFL 100W equivalent.
Looks like the sun is rising in my tank.
http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af16/elliottbower/Fish%203/036.jpg (http://www.dfwfishbox.com/forums/production/%3Ca%20href=)">http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af16/elliottbower/Fish%203/036.jpg (http://s989.photobucket.com/albums/af16/elliottbower/Fish%203/?action=view&current=036.jpg)

[juice04]

I'll tell you my experience. I went for the cheap Lowes $12.98 option, the housing is black. After I installed two of them in my garage, I was really unimpressed with the amount of light. After going back to Lowes, there was a noticeable difference in the black housing and white housing as far as light reflectiveness was concerned (using the same bulb). Still I didn't like the white housing. I went to Home Depot and saw the Reflective Diamond Plate was way brighter than the regular white housing and installed in my garage. Using the same exact bulbs, the light was WAY more reflective and MUCH brighter. The 48" light at Home Depot cost me $30 each. Comes with a pull string for easy on/off. I couldn't be happier with my garage lighting now.