DIY "Lumenarc" reflectors

[fairlan]

isn't the solar sheet material just a bit thin and flimsey espesially with the heat from mh bulbs i wowld use somthing thicker here's a link to the good stuff http://anomet.com/cgi-bin/online/storepro.php sheck out the anolux miro-silver 98% reflectivity .020 thick this is what you should use for durable stiff reflectors

 

[dhnguyen]

Not at all. It's about the same as aluminum flashing sheets as far as thickness go. Perfect for this project since it also makes it easy to cut and bend.

 

[freetareef]

look's good man. thats what i'll do when i up grade!!
hey i was wondering... do you have a problem with your shure flows falling off the the walls of your tank when your using the suction cups like that? i mounted magnets on mine..

 

[dhnguyen]

I actually used magnets on mine also as I dont trust suction cups as far as I can throw em

 

[mfinn]

I gave this a try.
But after having the drawing I found enlarged, I had to do the main body in two pieces.
I also had to order the solar tube from Home Depot.com.












I have a few extra full sized plans if anyone wants to try this.

 

[roscoe]

Looks greeat Marty!!

 

[mfinn]

Looks greeat Marty!!

Thanks
Gonna use this reflector on my zoanthid tank.

Then I may try a smaller version on my 240.

 

[Herefishyfishy]

Unbelievable!

 

[roscoe]

So how cost effective are these DYI lumenarcs?

 

[dhnguyen]

Very cost effective IMO. I paid a little over $50 for my solar tube and built 2 for my 125g. They work very well and are just as good as the real ones IMO.

 

[dhnguyen]

Hmm looks like the price increased a bit since I bought the tube last but it's still affordable IMO

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs...langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100065052

This is more than enough material for one Luminarc.

 

[dhnguyen]

Another even cheaper alternative is to use just regular aluminum sheet to build them THEN line the inside with this.

http://scientificsonline.com/produc...00423C27502&mr:referralID=NA&bhcd2=1218299361

http://usa.dupontteijinfilms.com/informationcenter/downloads/Physical_&_Thermal_Properties.pdf

Mylar melting point being 254C that's about 489F, more than enough to handle MH.

 

[roscoe]

Thanks for the info DH!! So it only cost you $50 bucks to make 2 of them?

 

[dhnguyen]

Yep. But like I said it looks like the price of the extension tube is a bit more now judging from Homedepot website. Still cost effective though IMO.

 

[mfinn]

Another even cheaper alternative is to use just regular aluminum sheet to build them THEN line the inside with this.

http://scientificsonline.com/produc...00423C27502&mr:referralID=NA&bhcd2=1218299361

http://usa.dupontteijinfilms.com/informationcenter/downloads/Physical_&_Thermal_Properties.pdf

Mylar melting point being 254C that's about 489F, more than enough to handle MH.

That is exactly what I did on my first one which was more of a test.

I had some mylar laying around from a previous project.
I can get all the aluminum sheeting (.020)I need from work.
Just used spray glue to adhere the mylar film to the aluminum.

 

[roscoe]

That is exactly what I did on my first one which was more of a test.

I had some mylar laying around from a previous project.
I can get all the aluminum sheeting (.020)I need from work.
Just used spray glue to adhere the mylar film to the aluminum.

How did that come out Marty?

 

[mfinn]

How did that come out Marty?

I only finished it far enough to make sure the panels would fit together, before going onto the final material..
I did cut all the pieces, just didn't put it all together.
It would make a fairly decent reflector, just not as good as the solar tube material.

 

[roscoe]

O Ok thanks for the pics!!!

 

[mfinn]

Very cost effective IMO. I paid a little over $50 for my solar tube and built 2 for my 125g. They work very well and are just as good as the real ones IMO.

You got 2 reflectors from one 14"x20" solar tube?

What was the finished size of your reflectors?


The one I made is 14.5"x14.5"x7" and there is no way enough material left over to make another one.

 

[dhnguyen]

No. I built 2 from a 14X48 tube. It was only a bit over $50 at Homedepot when I bought it but looks like the 14X20 is about $40 now, quite a price increase.