cushcameleon
New Member
I noticed that several people have aluminum foil placed behind their UVB lights to better reflect rays. Should all UVB tubes have aluminum foil behind them? Or is it only needed for special circumstances (i.e. tall cages)?
Adding foil to UVB lights
- Thread starter cushcameleon
- Start date
lbesok
Avid Member
It's good to have the reflecting tape/foil along with a hood on the tubes, because it yields higher UVB output. I experimented with this this past weekend with the meter and it seemed to make the basking spot about 10microwatts higher with a 5.0 than previous measurements.
cushcameleon
New Member
Is there any circumstance where you can have to much UVB if your using a tube? I have a 5.0 on both of my cages but the height of each cage is only ~24 inches, would adding foil to the lights be beneficial or too much?
chambabysitter1
New Member
Probably need a UVB meter in the correct spectrum to be really sure.
cushcameleon
New Member
Ya your right about that. I don't want to add foil and kick my ratings up to high, but at the same time I wonder if adding foil would make it better. Quite the predicament
Dean Pulcini
Avid Member
Actually bright white reflects more light then foil that's why the reflectors in newer model lamps are white.
Dave Weldon
Avid Member
Howdy Dean,
I couldn't spot the article at the moment, but there was a write-up about white vs. aluminum reflectors and aluminum reflected the UVB at much higher levels than the white paint or porcelain reflectors. I was surprised too
. It was a fairly controlled study. I thought it was on the UK UVB site but I didn't spot the part about white vs. aluminum there .http://www.uvguide.co.uk/fluorescenttubereflectortests.htm
Dean Pulcini
Avid Member
It must be a new study because with my frog tanks the plants need high light levels and most frogers use white. But I could be mistaken if you find the info that proves foil is brighter please post.
cushcameleon
New Member
How exactly is it a fire risk?
EC22
New Member
To Dean and Dave
I think this is the article you're referring to. It's for MV lamps but I would guess it also applies to fluorescent tubes as well.
http://www.uvguide.co.uk/mercvapourreflectortests.htm
Etienne
I think this is the article you're referring to. It's for MV lamps but I would guess it also applies to fluorescent tubes as well.
http://www.uvguide.co.uk/mercvapourreflectortests.htm
Etienne
jojackson
New Member
Why would you mess with it anyway? You buy a tube designed to output a suitable level of UV for your species, presumabley the product has been tested very carefully and with various commercially avail hoods/colors in mind , in a scientific manner and deemed suitable, 'as is' for normal use with normal reflecters.
You should consider ANY artificial source of UV, supplimentary at best in any case, If you want better UV for your animal, take it outside! Everyone has sunny days happening,
unless you live in antartica (6 months of fridgid twighlight)
You should consider ANY artificial source of UV, supplimentary at best in any case, If you want better UV for your animal, take it outside! Everyone has sunny days happening,
unless you live in antartica (6 months of fridgid twighlight)
cushcameleon
New Member
I was just curious because I saw other members using foil. Here's a link about usefulness of reflectors http://www.uvguide.co.uk/fluorescenttubereflectortests.htm#reflectors
