Reflective bottom.

[Shiggknight]

Has anyone ever put reflective sheeting on the bottom of the tank to get more light exposure? Maybe even all the way around the tank reflective sheeting to bounce light everywhere.

Is this crazy talk? I’m just curious.

 

[Hugh Mann]

I would think the reflective coating would drive the fish nutty. Especially the more aggressive ones that don't get along with their same species. Like a cat trying to fight its reflection in a mirror.

 

[CMMorgan]

I would think the reflective coating would drive the fish nutty. Especially the more aggressive ones that don't get along with their same species. Like a cat trying to fight its reflection in a mirror.

yep... my thoughts exactly.

 

[Shiggknight]

I wasn’t looking at from that view just to grow SPS. They need maximum light exposer. Supplemental lighting provides different angles. Would this in theory grow SPS better?

 

[Hugh Mann]

If you're talking a Coral only tank, I don't see why it wouldn't work. Just ask anyone who has ever grown... Herbs... In their basement. Reflective tents are a must. Unless coral are easily scorched by intense light, I don't see why it wouldn't work.

 

[MentalNote]

When observing white starboard on a bare bottom, it seems to reflect some amount of lighting upward. No idea how much.

Fish aside, maintaining a clean reflective material on the bottom, or glass clean enough to reflect it back, seems challenging. Not impossible, but over time will get harder and harder. My white starboard is now covered in coraline.

 

[Reefer Reboot]

I actually have done that using mylar sheeting under the bottom. Keeping it clean was a PITA and it eventually was covered in coralline algae and then GSP. Fish never seemed to care.

 

[kenchilada]

Just run it bare bottom and put metal halides inside your stand. Maybe you can get your corals to grow upsidedown! You’ll be on BRStv before you know it.

 

[Shiggknight]

Or could you hold the light up higher with a reflective skirt to prevent light to spill into the room.

 

[Shiggknight]

Has anyone tried this? Bump!