MH reflector?

[ozman3803]

Has anyone made a reflector before? I was thinking of using some sheet aluminum thats used for rain drainage on a house. It is very shiny and easy would be easy to shape.

 

[reefnetworth]

that would work just keep the salt precip. from entering the tank if cleaning it. the aluminum will oxidize from the salt and poison the tank. stainless is my suggestion, if not available try mirror, glass or acrylic with aluminum foil on the back side, and silicone it. silicone needs about 48 hrs to cure, use 100% pure only. REEF-ON!!!

 

[smcdonn]

Just so you know you don't need something shiny for a reflector. A white reflector will reflect just as much light as a shiny surface, it will just diffuse the light so you don't have the shimmer effect. So you could just use any painted surface if you wanted. Cheers

 

[MrZ]

I thought the same thing too smcdonn. But evidently a white painted surface is better than no reflector at all, but pales in comparison to a well designed reflector.

From Sanjay Joshi & Timothy Marks' article in Advanced Aquarist covering reflector design for SE MH lamps:

"As can be clearly seen from the data, having any of the above mentioned reflectors is better than just having a painted hood."

Article here

I had some success bending polished aluminum into the shape of a spider reflector but can't really recommend it unless you are doing alot of them. I bought a brake (sheet metal bender) from harbor freight for like 30 dollars. And then I used a solatube extension (highly polished aluminum skylight) for bright shiny aluminum for another 30 bux. You can get a great pendant premade for another 30 more that probably works twice as well.