improve the amount of light getting into the tank?

[babblefish1960]

Well, I have been upbraided yet again, it would seem that Bigdaddy should never be questioned, particularly if Bigmomma says so.

On the other hand, it behooves me to point out that the link provided only spoke of square reflectors with mH bulbs, a horse of a different colour you might say.

Point taken though, I shall never transgress in this field again, except of course, to say that flat white is rather, well, flat, and boring, and white.

This was a very good point Artibartfast, if the silly man paints the glass flat white, better reflective quality notwithstanding, it will not let the light pass, as Gandalf said.

It should be pointed out, that the reflective centre of the bulb is equally important, and missing this spot would be a rather silly thing to do, and nullify the benefits of the reflective surface altogether.

[BigMomma]

You're absolutely right Babble, my apologies to you ... I read "flat paint" instead of "flat white paint reflector" (big difference)... I was trying to be "the supportive one" and find some logical explanation to the use of Flat white paint... now I have none ... I am verklempt!

So perhaps we should ask the expert himself for a logical explanation to his "flat white paint" theory ... (it better be a good one)!

[artw]

I just like asking people to back up his facts with a link or some sort of evidence.  thanks Coco. 

[PaleoFishGirl]

I read this morning that glossy paint should not be used as it lends itself to bright spots and glare.  Flat white paint has the ability to reflect between 75-85% of the light, and does not create hotspots.

[BigDaddy]

If I had to go back and google all the crap I've read over the years... man, I'd need to quit my job   

[babblefish1960]

Well, as #5 is verklempt at the moment, mayhap one teensy little google couldn't hurt to clarify the rather opaque and somewhat mystifying usage surrounding the tenable veracity of the word flat as it pertains to this paint in question and a suitable reflector surface.

On the other hand, "quitting an annoying job", can sometimes be cathartic in starting all over again.

[Toss]

I use white plastic/vinyl eavetroughing from HD.