Canopy paint

wbdevers · 03/15/2011, 10:38 PM

I am currently running four T5's with individual reflectors on a retro build. I've wondered about painting the inside of my canopy to help reflect more light, but is it really worth it? My tank is 17" deep from sand to surface. My canopy is one of the shorter styles and my lights hang approximately 7" from the surface. Right now I've got soft corals, Zoa's, a couple of LPS, a red Monti Cap and a Pocillopora. Everything is happy but just looking to the future because I would like to try an Acro some day.

Thanks for any advice.

tkeracer619 · 03/15/2011, 11:16 PM

Getting some luminarc, lumenmax, or lumenbright reflectors would make a bigger difference.

sbeason · 03/16/2011, 05:16 AM

I am not sure you were looking for a MH reflector and were referring to a T5 fix for your canopy.

Before I switched over to my MH, I had T5's and I painted the inside of my canopy white. I used KILZ. This way it not only reflected the light, but also helps as a moisture barrier. Even inside my current canopy with MH pendants in them, I still painted KILZ inside the canopy.

Thanks, Steve

wbdevers · 03/16/2011, 07:09 AM

tke, not sure where MH came into this, but I'm just asking opinions about painting the inside of my canopy. I've got four T5's with INDIVIDUAL reflectors. I built a retro light using a 1x10 and clock chain.

Steve, does/did it seem to make a difference with lost scattered light? This is more a curious thing than anything else.

Thanks for the replies.

03/15/2011, 10:38 PM	#1
wbdevers Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: MS Gulf Coast Posts: 754	Canopy paint I am currently running four T5's with individual reflectors on a retro build. I've wondered about painting the inside of my canopy to help reflect more light, but is it really worth it? My tank is 17" deep from sand to surface. My canopy is one of the shorter styles and my lights hang approximately 7" from the surface. Right now I've got soft corals, Zoa's, a couple of LPS, a red Monti Cap and a Pocillopora. Everything is happy but just looking to the future because I would like to try an Acro some day. Thanks for any advice. __________________ Wes Beatings will continue until morale improves!!! "I've sentenced boys younger than you to the gas chamber. Didn't want to do it. I felt I owed it to them."--Judge Smails Current Tank Info: 125g ML dual corner OF mixed reef, Custom stand and canopy, 40g custom sump, lighting (in flux :( )

03/15/2011, 11:16 PM	#2
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	Getting some luminarc, lumenmax, or lumenbright reflectors would make a bigger difference. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

03/16/2011, 07:09 AM	#4
wbdevers Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: MS Gulf Coast Posts: 754	tke, not sure where MH came into this, but I'm just asking opinions about painting the inside of my canopy. I've got four T5's with INDIVIDUAL reflectors. I built a retro light using a 1x10 and clock chain. Steve, does/did it seem to make a difference with lost scattered light? This is more a curious thing than anything else. Thanks for the replies. __________________ Wes Beatings will continue until morale improves!!! "I've sentenced boys younger than you to the gas chamber. Didn't want to do it. I felt I owed it to them."--Judge Smails Current Tank Info: 125g ML dual corner OF mixed reef, Custom stand and canopy, 40g custom sump, lighting (in flux :( )

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03/16/2011, 05:16 AM	#3
sbeason Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Lake St Louis, MO Posts: 1,391	I am not sure you were looking for a MH reflector and were referring to a T5 fix for your canopy. Before I switched over to my MH, I had T5's and I painted the inside of my canopy white. I used KILZ. This way it not only reflected the light, but also helps as a moisture barrier. Even inside my current canopy with MH pendants in them, I still painted KILZ inside the canopy. Thanks, Steve