Problem with light penetration...

[DazzleDiscus]

ok I confess- I've read a few threads about lighting and stuff and have found it very overwelming and confusing. For one thing I don't know many abbrieviations (what do t5 and PL stand for? ), and am not a very high-tec kind of person.
Anyway, I had read somewhere that it's a good idea to have a light reflector in your setup, especially if you don't have alot of light. Right now I am using one floresant tube (the lid can only fit one) designed for plant use, but I'm not too happy with the amount of light reaching the bottom. The tank is about 14inches deep (somewhere around 35 cm). I can't take good pictures like I used to when I didn't use a plant lightbulb.

The plants are doing fine, though they are growing slow(I'm not complaining! I'm just glad their growing!) - most are new and are settling in.

so... I've checked out some refector kits and found them to be expensive, and as I'm on a low budget, I don't like to pay 100+ $ for something that's not really necessary. I was looking for other alternatives and came across a small article that talked a little bit about painting the inside surface with non-toxic white paint. The article didn't talk much about it- just that a people have tried it. So I'm still looking for info about this to see if it's really what it's cracked up to be.
If you have any info on this or even another way to solve this light issue, I would be grateful to hear!

[ankank]

I had read somewhere that it's a good idea to have a light reflector in your setup, especially if you don't have alot of light.

That is correct, and quite logically so: FL tubes radiate in all directions whereas the light is needed only below. Reflectors redirect the light that's otherwise going everywhere else but in the tank below. They can increase light to the tank by 100% or more (no, that's not an error, we're really talking more than doubling the light amount).

I was looking for other alternatives and came across a small article that talked a little bit about painting the inside surface with non-toxic white paint.

White paint may make a difference but not a huge one. On a low budget, I've seen great results using self-adhesive mirror foil (available in DIY markets and car accessory stores). If not available, use the shiny side of aluminum foil. It's not as good as a real reflector, but it definitely increases light to the tank that's otherwise wasted on the black top of your cover.

[bossteck]

Hi Freddy,

I beg to differ on the use of aluminum foil. It is almost impossible to get it right without wrinkles lowering the reflective value of the foil. If I am forced to choose between foil and white paint, I would choose white paint.

Here's an article written by someone who did a comparative study on the reflectivity of white paper (not paint) vs foil

It may be of interest to you and Dazzle. http://fins.actwin.com/aquatic-plant.../msg00069.html

There is also similar post and discussion in the krib http://www.thekrib.com/Lights/reflectors.html#18

[ankank]

Here's an article written by someone who did a comparative study on the reflectivity of white paper (not paint) vs foil

I (as usual, happily) stand corrected as for the white paint vs. aluminum foil case. In any case, I regard white paint as well as aluminum foil as kind of "last resort".

I stand by my recommendation of mirror foil as second best choice. Its reflective plastic sheet won't wrinkle. Formed to a curve it's even used as reflector in low-cost lighting bars.

Yet, if anything, your study shows that a good reflector triples the light amount and is well worth its money (compared to the cost of two additional light bars). And that it cannot be substituted by paint, paper, or foil, regardless of their quality.


(P.S.: The study, which is the third I've seen in this regard now, is as incomplete as the other ones, tho. A tank is a three dimensional area, yet the studies do spot measures, probably centered under the light tube. As there is no other way for reflected light but to go into the tank below, only the reflectiveness of the material used should matter. But this can be discussed ad nauseum, so I'll better leave it at that.)

[bossteck]

Hi,

I agree with you on the choice of mirror foil over paint of aluminum foil. I believe someone here used in in his DIY project and it is readily available in hobby shops here.

Oh yes, the study has its shortfalls, but I am glad that someone took the time to conduct the study so we can use it as a point of reference.

[jellydot72]

Hi folks,

I would increased my substrate level bringing the water column shallower. But not too thick a substrate incase some roots cannot access to the bottom nutrients. That's one of the thing I do for better light penetration. Just my 2 cents info.

[DazzleDiscus]

Hey thanks alot! I'm looking into the Triton Enhancer reflector, as it seems to have the best performance, and I can scrap the 25 dollars easily enough. On the subject of increasing the substrate level - I've already done that... The gravel is a mixture of browns, a bit on the light side.

Aluminum foil is definately off my list of stuff to use!
Any other info would be welcomed!

[DazzleDiscus]

does anyone know where I can find the Triton Enhancer reflector thingy? None of the fish stores around me sell any kind of reflector and I can't find any thing on my websearches...