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Thread: Reflectors

  1. #1
    Join Date
    08-20-2008
    Location
    NW San Antonio Braun/1604
    Posts
    413

    Default Reflectors

    Has anyone ever made there own reflectors before? I have seen some articles about using SolaTube? Just curuious to see what people are doing and using for T5's instead of purchasing them for $25 each.

    Thanks
    Mark-

  2. #2

    Default

    Havent seen any DIY reflectors for the T5's!

  3. #3
    Join Date
    02-25-2008
    Location
    Way out West. Culebra and 1560
    Posts
    5,347

    Default

    Not for T5's really. You could try putting mylar inside your canopy. The thing is that the reflectors really help with the par of T5's. Icecap and Tek reflectors are best, not sure what the difference is other than they are single lamp reflectors.
    200g-No Corals Yet!



  4. #4
    Join Date
    11-10-2005
    Location
    NW San Antonio
    Posts
    767

    Default

    for the price of the material and the time bending and shaping it would be better to pay the money and get the real deal.

  5. #5

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Jeff View Post
    for the price of the material and the time bending and shaping it would be better to pay the money and get the real deal.

    Yup. You save in the long run just buying whats on the market rather than making your own.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    08-20-2008
    Location
    NW San Antonio Braun/1604
    Posts
    413

    Default

    sounds good. thanks for the info.

  7. #7

    Default

    The drawback is the bending. You can buy a 10 foot roll of reflector like metal from HD for 11 bucks. If you have the ability to bend the stuff up, you should be able to make reflectors for tons of people. if you want you can shine it up with a polishing wheel on your grinder or some elbow grease and polish.

    If you don't have a bender device or a good way to do it it is pointless.
    30L w/10gallon sump 4xt5ho; Up and running:125g long, 30g sump, 50g fuge.

    "Life is tough, but it's tougher when you're stupid.”
    John Wayne

  8. #8
    Join Date
    08-23-2003
    Location
    N.E.SanAntonio
    Posts
    500

    Default

    you have to buy the solar tube material you cant buy regular flashing and expect it to reflect even if you try to polish it out. I made 4 reflectors for less then $90 bucks and if you didnt know the difference you would say they were the real deal. It took me less than 4 hours to make one and I had no fancy tools just patience. I will post some pics tomorrow.
    Barry
    The Fish Tank
    Is now a
    Bare Reef

  9. #9

    Default

    is there any were local were i can order a reflector for a MH ???

  10. #10
    Join Date
    08-23-2003
    Location
    N.E.SanAntonio
    Posts
    500

    Default

    As promised Photos of the ones I made. Contact me if you would like some made.
    Barry





    The Fish Tank
    Is now a
    Bare Reef

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