looking for reflectors

[jasontammy]

I am fixing to retrofit 2x175 MH in a canopy so I am seeing if anyone has any reflectors just sitting around. I also am doing 2x250MH in another canopy, I have the reflectors for the halides but not the T-5's so I am looking for those as well.
Thanks Jason

 

[omega981]

i think you should paint the canopy white gloss enamel i couple cans will do it will reflect more light and hold moisture

 

[jasontammy]

I understand the idea behind painting. I usaually line the whole under side of my canopies with metal. Just paint is a fire hazard IMO.

 

[omega981]

why paint is a fire hazard tx

 

[jasontammy]

oil based paint is flamable. It can be used and be fine I just dont like the idea of the hea that MH puts off that close to something flamable. Thats why I prefer reflectors.

 

[H@rry]

I use reflectors in a hood with white paint.

 

[jasontammy]

I had the same thought Harry. My other tank has metal lining with reflectors. I personally think there should be something between the light and the paint.

 

[H@rry]

Agreed!

 

[omega981]

tx

 

[8BALL_99]

believe it or not but flat white paint reflects better then glossy paint.. Seems odd i know but its true. You should definitely use reflectors. Painted or even a metal lined canopy will not reflect or direct the light into the tank anywhere near as good and some decent reflectors. On top of that better reflectors can easily give you 30% more light in the tank compared to cheaper ones. Your paying for the wattage and bulbs regardless. Might as well get as much of that light in the tank as you can. A wood surface inside a canopy is pretty safe from fire as long as you have some kind of reflector. With MH reflectors I always use a couple flat washers between the canopy and the reflector just to reduce the amount of contact area. But really I don't think the reflectors get hot enough to cause a problem. The first time I installed MH in a canopy I made sure to use Nylon washers to keep the hot metal off the wood. I don't bother doing that now cause they just dont get that hot.
Will

 

[H@rry]

My reflectors are mounted directly to the wood surface. They have a couple of bends in them that air can circulate through. I have fans on the end of the canopies blowing a cross current across the bulbs and reflectors and have never had a heat issue.

 

[jasontammy]

is there any where local to buy some reflectors that any of you know of. Lowes of course does not have any thing of use.

 

[H@rry]

They are sold for reef tanks so none of the local places would have them except possibly a LFS. I have wondered why you couldn't just get some polished sheet metal and make some with tin snips and bend them to shape. If must be harder than I think because I haven't heard about anybody doing it.

 

[8BALL_99]

You can make your own. Infact on RC there are even some cad plans floating around for making DIY Lumenarcs. Those do take some time though. I just bought mine even though I seen the plans. A spider type reflector wouldn't be that hard to make though. But by the time you buy the materials and you mess up the first one you probably wouldnt' save that much. Also if you dont have a par meter you really don't know how well you did. I think for people that need several it would probably be worth while. If you only need two not sure if its worth the trial and error.

 

[jasontammy]

I had thought of making my own. I do some metal work. Actually I have done alot, considering that is one of the things that got me into commercial work was doing metal buildings ans such. Now since being laid off I am just doing side jobs, fixing doors, windows, porches ect. I am starting to build in a coral room in the back bed room right now. The problem with home projects is they dont pay!!!!

 

[H@rry]

I think finding polished metal would be harder than building it. You need something that won't rust or corrode. Actually, I would think if you could make one out of an old mirror that would be better than any kind of metal.

 

[8BALL_99]

Mirror doesn't work well for a reflector because of the glass. It would be like placing 1/2" glass between your light and tank. You really need polished aluminum. You can find it on line. Some people use solar tube extensions sold at lowes and home depot to cut the pieces needed for their reflectors. The extensions aren't that cheap though, But they are something like 95-98% reflective depending on brand.

 

[Tomoko Schum]

MIRO 4 from Germany is a highly polished aluminum. You can get it online. I have a few reflectors made of this material for PC's on my planted aquarium. They are far better than the reflectors in Coralife PC fixtures.

Some people use the reflector material for tanning beds. Years ago, when Philip was at Fishtails, he carried some reflectors that someone was making using that. The material might have been MIRO 4 after all.

I understand that the bending angle is just as much or more important as the material for the effectiveness.

Tomoko