DIY Reflected hoods

First throw of coin
Reflective tape = heads
Paint = tails

flip coin
Heads it is

Second flip of coin
Reflective tap = tails
spray pain = head

flip coin
Tails it is

I.E Reflective tape!!

(I am biased tho)

 

thanks vis - but that link doesnt have any info about position of the CFL. I know it well, its one of the first articles I came across when I started investigating CFLs... In fact I think I posted it on this site at that time...

as for the coin flipping fiasco, white paint really is the only real option. The best is to buy individual reflectors for T5 globes - almost doubles their output. But next best is undeniably white paint.

 

Hi Dane I did not realize that you where looking for angles. I send Zoom 2 articles to look at and he can post them here when I read through them.
I will however say that I am not convinced that vertical downwards is more effective.

I do know however that the way the heat dissipate, back past or away from the globe glass itself will affect its lifetime drastically.

 

I've briefly glanced at the link Vis gave me... the results are VERY close with regards to vertical and horizontal.

What I can say from my EXPERIENCE. My tank has had it's light vertical for 2 weeks now, and the growth of the hairgrass is a LOT more. I've also HALVED the amount of light (from 2 globes to 1)

The theory is controversial to say the least. Whilst one person says go horizontal, another says vertical. I had 2 horizontal. And now 1 vertical. The growth on the single vertical far surpasses the growth rate of the 2 horizontal.

Here's that link:
http://gaia.lbl.gov/btech/papers/40244.pdf
http://www.olino.org/us/articles/200...lamp-6-20w-e27

 

The second link however suggest that 45 degrees would be the best.
Me, I just put them as they fit

 

I read that link a while back. It should then not surprise you why those desk lamps are made this way.

Didn't you also say that it was still early days and the roots had not reached the pfp yet.

How can you be sure it was the light?

Interesting, wonder if it applies here in South Africa. Haven't seen on packaging of the CFL's I've bought.

 

Um... because I SAY SO... So shut it!!

LOL

You have a point. But the difference is still chalk and cheese!

 

My 2 cents. I painted my tank lids white. To get the white paint to stick to the plastic you need to spray on a plastic primer first, Builders warehouse sells. The best white paint to use, I think, is called appliance white as this is very reflective and glossy.