painting inside of canopy white

[Husky_1]

Guys, I am wondering if I should paint the inside of the canopy white. From what I understand it helps reflect the light back into the tank, but since i am using lumenarc reflectors for the MH and SLR reflectors for the T5's does it make any sense to do this?

Also, is there a special paint that I should use? Flat, semi-gloss, gloss? Thanks

[KaniRyde]

It can't hurt.

[ct_vol]

I used outdoor glossy white for mine... :D

[HornetMech242]

I used a latex gloss white just to protect against humidity. I put flat white but it got dirty easy and did not clean up very well, so i went over it with a gloss and it cleans up better.

Chris

[xtm]

If you have the reflectors then it might not make that much of a difference, just gives you extra work.

[ultra spikey]

I would think that it would help reflect some of the light that has reflected off of the water, back down into the tank

[trmiv]

With those reflectors I don't see a need for it.

[Husky_1]

Thanks everyone, it sounds like it may not help me all that much with light reflecting... but if I do use it, glossy white would be the way to go. Maybe even the stuff that is easy to clean that they market for kids rooms.

Other than light, do you think it would help inhibit possible mold growth? or any other benefit?

XTM, When you said more work, did you mean more work upfront, or more maintenance. I do not mind work up front, but maintenance is something I want to decrease :)

[Akrite]

I think glossy white wil help a little.

[hyperfocal]

Gloss white would be easier to clean -- reason enough for me :-)

[mkarston]

I agree with "ultra spikey", light does reflect back off the water. Now whether there is really that much light that gets absorbed or reflected back with wood color or not I don't know. But yeah, it couldn't hurt to paint it with all the other upgrades you're doing, this is an easy one! And I would used glossy as well.

[reeftankjunkie]

I painted mine white and the went over it with a clear polyurethane. I did mine more to keep the wood from absorbing moisture than to reflect light.

[J. Montgomery]

I used Kilz primer/sealant in the inside of my canopy.

[Alphabet]

If you do paint, S-Williams makes a latex based acrylic that has a quick recoat time, is easily cleanable and durable. Works well IMO.

[luke33]

I painted white just for heat issues and water repellent. It reflectls light, yes, and doesn't absorb water but it doesn't take in heat like the darker colors and this is the main reason i did it. Its like wearing a white shirt in the desert or wearing a black shirt in the desert.....what makes sense?

[Husky_1]

Thanks all, I will go ahead and paint the inside. It seems like there a few unexpected upsides that I did not think of, like heat and cleaning.

[rsw686]

I would paint it just to keep the moisture off the wood.

[ginger7286]

This an interesting concept and I can see the usefulness. I would guess you use an interior paint? How long should it cure before the canopy is placed back on top of the tank?

[rsw686]

I used behr exterior enamel paint as I figured it would hold up better against saltwater. When I painted the inside of the stand built the sump together just hours after. It doesn't take long for the paint to dry.