aluminum flashing for a reflector?

[zanemoseley]

can I use aluminum flashing from lowe's for reflector material? it seems pretty reflective but not mirror finish or anything? how good would it be compared to getting a true reflector from hellolights.com , what are the performance differences of the two

 

[zanemoseley]

ok guys this stuff comes in different sized rolls, one is 20" wide by 10' long for $10, has anyone ever seen this stuff?

 

[hondo]

I've used it before and it does an OK job. Is it just as good as a true purpose built reflector made out of polished material. Probably not. But then ask yourself if the extra cost is worth the differance in performance, and my answer was also probably not. So make your own and save the $$$.

 

[krishj39]

I made a reflector for my old refugium light out of aluminum flashing. It dulls pretty fast, and so isn't too great at reflecting after a while. I knew that before I started, and since it was just for my fuge I didn't really care. IMO, a legitimate reflector doesn't cost very much, and probably not enough to make the hassle and reduced performace of using flashing worthwhile. I only used flashing because I was trying to convert a LOA undercabinet fixture into something I could just set on top of my refugium. They don't really make reflectors to fit LOA undercabinet fixtures so I sorta didn't have a choice but to make my own.