DIY light reflector

I am in the planning stage for my lights and was wondering what ideas you guy have for the reflector.

I was thinking about using mirror, that will brighten up the tank pretty well, but is it ok to use it? Would it reflects too much heat?

Thanks!
GKW

 

I used polished 1/16" stainless steel sheets

 

Polished aluminium makes the best reflectors. If your not looking to mailorder you can get good aluminium from your local hardware stores. Home Depot carries the Suntube brand of skylights you can get one of the extension tube and carve it up as needed. A mirror is not as ggod of a reflector as you would think. The light has to tavel thru the glass the first time reflect off the metallic coating and then go back thru the glass. It causes noticable losses versus just decent aluminium.

 

Coo, going to check out homedepot to see if they carry the polished aluminum. Thanks!