DIY lumen___ reflectors

[Steve Canyon]

Steve, what do you think it would cost to get them laser cut? Is there a flat setup charge? I can give you solid models or 2d drawings or whatever you need.

Also, there's a few types of MIRO and I think it's the "Silver" stuff that is the latest and greatest.

Cad files reduce engineering expense.

This is good stuff: Anomet Anolux Stucco MIRO 9

 

[Willistein]

that's pretty cheap for setup, but I'll probably stick to tin snips. If you could fins out the cost and minimum purchase for the material that would be cool though, I can see making a dozen of these pretty easily.

I think for mine, I'd like to encorporate a glass shield to keep the reflector clean

 

[Steve Canyon]

that's pretty cheap for setup, but I'll probably stick to tin snips. If you could fins out the cost and minimum purchase for the material that would be cool though, I can see making a dozen of these pretty easily.

I think for mine, I'd like to encorporate a glass shield to keep the reflector clean

Clean is KEY. Even good glass is going to filter out PAR.

Send me your files. I'll work up a variety of volume prices for everyone.

 

[Willistein]

Here is the file, couldn't figure out how to attach it to the private message...

I think acrylic might do a little better with transmission, but it won't do well with the heat. I'm thinking 1/8" glass will be OK.

 

[Steve Canyon]

Here is the file, couldn't figure out how to attach it to the private message...

I think acrylic might do a little better with transmission, but it won't do well with the heat. I'm thinking 1/8" glass will be OK.

Got it.

 

[Henry Colf]

Just a FYI , i'm running one of Steve's ballast have been for about 3 weeks now with no issues...

I'd also be interested in purchasing some material to make some reflectors....

 

[superkat]

i might be interested as well...waiting to see what scraps show up at hubby's work before i commit.

 

[Steve Canyon]

Let me know everyone. Volume equates to lower prices across the board. Shipping on raw material, laser set up, press brake set up, etc.
The ballasts are designed to use 2 per 400 watt bulb. 1 really lights up a 175. Name your price. Frags are cool. I have a soft spot for softies and LPS.. especially Suns. They love my tank. I'd love to try some dendros. Hundreds of ballasts available. If they don't all go to locals, eventually I'll post on the RC site-wide for sale. At that point, they may be an ultra low cost mh starter kit for DIYers.

 

[Willistein]

So I've got the ballast, bulbs and cord sets on order. Now, all I need is a plan for the reflectors! I've got the drawing for the lumenarch-mini printed out full size. How many people are interested in DIYing these things? Steve, let me know what you can find out about the material. The only other way I've seen to get miro-silver is by buying solar-tube extensions from HD or Lowes. I'll check at lunch for prices.

Price for cord + socket = ~$25, so you have to figure that in when comparing to real lumenarchs.

 

[Willistein]

This is enough to make 8 minis:

http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=28_100&products_id=6238

Before shipping (which is free on orders over $175) that's about $16 each! But I'd need to find homes for 6 other reflectors

Note: this is the miro textured surface

 

[jfl14609]

Dan what would you use to cut it

 

[Willistein]

I would use a shear at work to get it to the right overall dims, and then tin snips to do the other cuts. I would use the brake at work to do the bends.

 

[jfl14609]

what would you charge to do that

 

[superkat]

at 16 bucks...i'm in. that leaves 5 homes.

 

[jfl14609]

i am in for two as well

 

[Willistein]

I'd have to make one to see how involved they are. Looks pretty simple though. Just need to find a pop-rivet gun and that's about it. I think that pebbly-stuff is really thin... i'll do a little more looking.

 

[jfl14609]

i would assemble mine but if you could cut them for a reasonable price it would be cool

 

[superkat]

actually...i'd do two as well...that leaves one more....

 

[Willistein]

I contacted a place in Ohio that sells the stuff. We'll see what they say for small quantities.

 

[jfl14609]

i wonder if any of the lighting places have it locally