MH reflectors

I was wondering if anyone has used mirrors as a reflector for MH lighting. What drawbacks would there be if I used mirrors?

 

They will sometimes crack from the heat. Also some will tell you about the mercury and silver used to make them But that was the really old ones not a concern with todays mirrors

 

I use an mirror on the inside of my canopy top (although I have mine set at an 45 degree angle and not attached to the lighting) and it provides an noticeable increase in light given it only cost me $8.00 at home depot.

 

I was considering mounting the mirrors to the inside of my canopy. I already have 6 4" fans installed. The bulbs would be 4" below the mirrors.

 

I would not put one in the water if thats what you mean. I have a mirror in the canopy to reflect the light on to the shawdow from the center brace, works good.

 

Mirrors can be what I call "my poor mans reflectors" -lol- the do seem to work - I started out with one inside my canopy lid and one on the backside. Later took out the back one in favor of better air circulation in order to faciltate cooling down my tank.

 

If installed properly and set up correctly a good quality parabolic reflector does more then many think they do.. they collect all the light rays and focuses them in to beam aimed to direct the lighting much like lenses in a telescope so that they hit the water and cross and disperse evenly through the water Mirrors just reflect and splatter the light. The parabolic reflector is the reason most mount there M/H at 11 to 13 inches above the water where the bulbs are safe from water and the light is reflected to be at its peak when it enters the water.