black eggcrate

[sixfins]

Does anyone know where to get black eggcrate locally? I don't like the way the white looks in the tank.

 

[Bret61081]

if you find it...Id like to know too!!I m not a big fan of the white either

 

[MediaHound]

hop hop count me in on some too

 

[kiknchikn]

I'd like to know too...

 

[Ding2daDong]

If you tank is running 400ppm+ in calcium it will all turn purple in a few months anyways.

-Matthew

 

[kiknchikn]

Not if it's ontop of the tank in my case -- to keep jumpers in

 

[REDDAWG43]

Keep in mind , they sell white and silver eggcrate...but not black.
You have to paint it yourself. Eggcrate is sold as a light diffuser
in white and a light reflector in silver.
Black eggcrate on top of your tank to keep in jumpers wiil absorb some of your light and you will lose some of the intensity...

 

[kiknchikn]

The white/silver ones already block a significant amount of light in my opinion, painting it black won't make that much more of one. I could be wrong but when the light is "diffused" it bounces off the egg crate at angles that will likely reflect off the surface of the water since it isn't perpendicular. If that is indeed the case, that light is wasted anyways, right?

 

[Ding2daDong]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10657653#post10657653 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kiknchikn
The white/silver ones already block a significant amount of light in my opinion, painting it black won't make that much more of one. I could be wrong but when the light is "diffused" it bounces off the egg crate at angles that will likely reflect off the surface of the water since it isn't perpendicular. If that is indeed the case, that light is wasted anyways, right?

Someone did a test here on RC and if I remember correctly the light was not absorbed by the white egg crate.

-Matthew

 

[kiknchikn]

I have a VERY hard time believing that when there is a noticeable difference when I put my white eggcrate over the the tank. I don't think it's my imagination either. It's not a huge difference, but it is noticeable.

Maybe the distance from the light source is the key. I'd like to see what the distance was between light and eggcrate. Mine is about 5 - 6 inches and it seems like more light is blocked towards the edges of the eggcrate, probably since the light comes in at more of an angle there.


I love your avatar by the way

 

[sixfins]

I'm not to keen on painting it. I know they make black I've seen it at modern plastics online, but I would prefer to get locally.

 

[REDDAWG43]

I believe there is a difference when you have eggcrate between your water and your light. I am no expert, in anyway....
So I asked the maintenance guy at my job as to the purpose of the eggcrate, and he told me the white eggcrate is used to give the light a softer appearance, and the silver eggcrate is used to intensify(sp?) the light. Neither white nor silver will make an extreme difference but it is noticable.
From my high school physical science experience I know that some colors reflect light to an extent and others will absorb it. White reflects light and black (or any darker colors) will absorb light.

 

[ninjamini]

OK I smell group buy on this stuff. If we can get a dozen people to order, which I am sure we can, its only $12.66+tax+shipping. Which means $16-17 per sheet. Anyone want to take charge?

3/8" x 23.75" x 47.750" Black Eggcrate Styrene Lighting Panel

Black Eggcrate Styrene Lighting Panel

Modern Plastics Black Eggcrate Styrene Lighting Panels are made of 1/2" by 1/2" open cells that permit air circulation, lower operating temperature, and improve lamp performance and ballast life. Our Eggcrate panels will not interfere with ceiling sprinkler systems and are destaticized to repel and retard dust accumulation.

These are versatile and beautifully crafted panels that we've been supplying for over forty-years worldwide and now make them available to you on-line with one easy click!

Hundred's of other use's as well -

Decorative applications
Fish Tanks
Shelving
Drying Racks

 

[REDDAWG43]

wow....I think I would get a sheet just to have from when I want to do something in my tank. I have never seen black eggcrate.
Thanks for the hook up...Steve

 

[ninjamini]

I started a group buy thread if anyone is interested.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1195620

 

[kiknchikn]

Man, I wish I could get in on that group buy, but being in MD that would make it difficult to say the least.

Sorry for barging into your reef club forum by the way, it was just a topic I had a real interest in

 

[ninjamini]

There is always a vacation down in sunny ft lauderdale. We got lotsa great LFS here. You would drool.

 

[kiknchikn]

I would love to take one, but grad school doesn't allow for vacations and neither do reef tanks for that matter lol

I'm scuba certified, so I plan to go dive the keys again soon -- possibly next summer. I also love going fossil hunting at my favorite beach down there. I love Florida

 

[MediaHound]

Is it coated black or through and through dye in the plastic?
I was always concerned with using the silver one, that stuff seemed to me that it might alter the water chemistry. Thoughts?

 

[scubasteve247]

ive seen the silver flake off over time.

just curious...... why dont you just buy flat black krylon spray paint. and paint the white one?

just sounds so much easier to me.