I've always heard reflectors behind UV tubes spoken about positively... But now that I actually have one, I feel like it concentrates the UV down in a line and stops it spreading throughout the viv, and I haven't figured out a way to get my basking spot under both the heat lamps and the UV light... I was wondering if anyone else had this problem, and if they thought that the extra UV is worth the decreased coverage? (I'm using the Arcadia Luminaire reflector hood)
You can tilt it towards the back a little for the desired effect from the front with the basking light towards the back in a corner. Reflectors make the light more efficient and, you are using all of the uvb value you are paying for. Also, it is my understanding that, uvb rays bounce of of reflective surfaces and, keep deflecting until it hits a nonreflective surface. You cannot see uvb rays but, they are there. This is why you can get a sunburn on a partly cloudy day when you are around water, (sun sends rays to water, water sends rays to clouds, back to water, back to clouds and, so on) same in a viv.
Yes .... definitely worth having a reflector behind the tube or globe as it will effectively focus the UVA and UVB where you want it and essentially doubles the penetration distance for any given tube or globe.
See the link to the UK UV Lighting Study I already provided in my previous reply in your other thread (last night)..