Using White PVC piping as a reflector of T5

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ziyaadb

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its white, its reflective .. cant see why not? I have read somewhere that white actually works better then reflective metal surface, due to scattering or something.. buy maybe wait for someone with a bit more experience.

You are thinking of using a round pvc pipe, cutting it in half and use this "dome" as reflector? mmm sounds like a plan to me... would be very intrested in the result of this.... so keep us updated if you actually go ahead and do it.
 
Ziyaad, why not get the polished aluminium reflectors designed for this? Too expensive?

FW planted guys use the white PVC gutters that are already open ended ;)
 
neil.h said:
Ziyaad, why not get the polished aluminium reflectors designed for this? Too expensive?
Click to expand...

Its a terrible type thats available. Like a half dome and at 120 each(i need 8) I would not mind paying if i was getting Parabolic or gullwing type.
 
interesting...when I get my par meter back from Rob I will giv it a try and let you know the results
 
Well. now that I think about it, let us go back to Std 7 Science... Black colour absorbes all the light spectrum, whilst white reflects it fully... That is why black paper in sunlight doesn't hurt your eyes, but white paper in the same sunlight will hurt your eyes...

Logic tells me it will work, but a PAR meter reading might tell us more.

Personally I think that a reflector might be better, but not in margins that makes justifies buying them at R100 each...
 
Will use the cheap stuff now and see for the expensive stuff later on. Great reflectors do make a beeeg difference but i want to buy proven reflectors. until then lets see what we can do
 
really dumb question here, but would a mirror not be best? ie positioned above the lights where your reflector would be assuming you didn't opt for a curved surface?
 
light has to penetrate the mirror then reflect back out the glass again.
plus the glass would get very very hot
 
Considering it doesn't come into contact directly with the water, I would go the PVA route, you need some sort of paint which does not allow the moisture to get between the canopy and the paint otherwise it will just bubble in no time at all and you would have just wasted good time painting for nothing.

Ultimately, painting works, but why not just save up for the reflectors which are tried and tested? If your LFS can't supply, ask someone on MASA to help out with their LFS or try one of the sponsors - they are sure to be able to help.
 
I use half a 110mm pipe covered on the inside with aluminium tape as a reflector for my algae filter. (big energy saver bulb fits in fairly well, think its a 45W)
 
aarg decide to rather spend a bit and get the reflectors. Will buy a few at a time and do it right 1st time.
 
ziyaadb, i made some from alanod, highly reflective alumium, at 1200mmx15mm they worked out to be R35 each
 
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