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Reflective HVAC Tape

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Reflective HVAC Tape
Rusty_Shackleford Offline
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#1
09-10-2012, 07:50 PM
I bought a roll of this the other day at the HD. 3" wide by 150' for like $7.68. Has anyone ever used this as a cheap reflector? I'm thinking I'm gonna retrofit some of my old aquarium fixtures. I may even do some of the Exo-Terra hoods as I personally don't think their cheap metal reflectors are that effective. Any thoughts anyone?
Jon
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frogfreak Offline
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#2
09-10-2012, 08:28 PM
Hi Jon,

You could probably get the same effect painting them white.
Glenn
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Rusty_Shackleford Offline
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#3
09-10-2012, 08:37 PM
Hey Glenn, that's a good idea. If they were both equally effective the tape would be much easier to use. Just cut to fit, peel off the backing, stick it on and your ready to put your light bulbs back in. Paint would be nowhere near as easy. Plus I would spill the paint all over :oops:
Jon
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Philsuma Online
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#4
09-10-2012, 08:39 PM
Flat white paint is supposed to be more 'reflective' than a mirrored or polished surface.....who knew>?
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frogfreak Offline
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#5
09-10-2012, 08:57 PM
If the tape is easier for you, I'd use that. Spray paint is pretty quick though. Smile
Glenn
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Chuck Lawson Offline
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#6
09-10-2012, 08:58 PM
Yeah, I seem to recall a few years ago one of the "light gurus" in the reef hobby did some measurements and painting canopies flat white supposedly did a better job than a reflective mylar coating (and neither were close to actual specular reflectors). I'm not sure it's enough difference to matter, tho.
Chuck - Reprobatids - Frogs behaving badly
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Chuck Lawson Offline
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#7
09-10-2012, 08:59 PM
frogfreak Wrote:If the tape is easier for you, I'd use that. Spray paint is pretty quick though. Smile

Lol... Was just thinking that too -- roll of masking tape, can of Krylon, done! :mrgreen:
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Rusty_Shackleford Offline
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#8
09-10-2012, 09:06 PM
Well there ya go...the thought of spray paint never crossed my mind. You kids and your new technology.
Jon
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KGB Offline
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#9
09-10-2012, 09:09 PM
I have a fixture lined with the tape and it works well... I made a home made fixture for cfls out of aluminum gutter Smile
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frogfreak Offline
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#10
09-10-2012, 09:19 PM
Rusty_Shackleford Wrote:Well there ya go...the thought of spray paint never crossed my mind. You kids and your new technology.

LOL!
Glenn
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Rusty_Shackleford Offline
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#11
09-10-2012, 09:26 PM
Glenn, sometimes we make things way more complicated than they need to be lol.
Jon
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fieldsmith Offline
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#12
09-11-2012, 05:30 PM
Don't be sad Jon...now you can make that Tin Man costume you have always wanted...now where to find a brain?
-Field Smith
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Rusty_Shackleford Offline
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#13
09-11-2012, 07:18 PM
fieldsmith Wrote:Don't be sad Jon...now you can make that Tin Man costume you have always wanted...now where to find a brain?

Not in Kansas I can tell you that, all I'll find is the Lion and the Scarecrow in a mixed tank.
Jon
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RichFrye Offline
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#14
09-11-2012, 07:22 PM
Been a long time since I whiled away the hours conversin' with the flowers.
Darts with parasites are analogous to mixed tanks, there are no known benefits to the frogs with either.


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RanaVenenosa Offline
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#15
09-11-2012, 08:00 PM
I used the reflective tape on my exo terra hoods. It was cheap and prob a waste of time as I realized after the fact that my LEDs are directional... they point down .... Dooohhhhh
Scott - North Dallas
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RichFrye Offline
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#16
09-11-2012, 08:17 PM
RanaVenenosa Wrote:I used the reflective tape on my exo terra hoods. It was cheap and prob a waste of time as I realized after the fact that my LEDs are directional... they point down .... Dooohhhhh


Yes, but light still bounces off stuff like glass and plexi, think glare. So a reflector of some sort is still useful to an extent.
Darts with parasites are analogous to mixed tanks, there are no known benefits to the frogs with either.


If tone is more important to you than content, you are at the wrong place.

My new email address is: rich.frye@icloud.com and new phone number is 773 577 3476
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fieldsmith Offline
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#17
09-11-2012, 11:04 PM
Rusty_Shackleford Wrote:Not in Kansas I can tell you that, all I'll find is the Lion and the Scarecrow in a mixed tank.

Careful bubba...I hear that lion may carry raccoon aids...
-Field Smith
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