DIY Reflector?

[Static]

Originally Posted by StirCrazy

I have made them for VHO, PC, and MH. I would recommend using spectral aluminum and nothing else for a few reasons, one it doesn't corrode, it is way more reflective than anything else, and it is easy to work with.

Any hints about where to find the spectral aluminum? I've asked a couple metal suppliers over here, but haven't had any luck yet.

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by Static

Any hints about where to find the spectral aluminum? I've asked a couple metal suppliers over here, but haven't had any luck yet.

metal supermarket can get it but you pay more. there are several different names for it depending onthe brand. I actualy found a place that will sell me prebent reflectors made of spectral aluminum for a deicent price.. it is a matter of me looking and seeing if they have what I want at the time.

Steve

[Bartman]

Originally Posted by StirCrazy

I actualy found a place that will sell me prebent reflectors made of spectral aluminum for a deicent price.

Steve

Can you tell us the name of this place?

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by Bartman

Can you tell us the name of this place?

Ok wouldn't be cost effective to get it from my place but I can tell you how to find a place of your own

look in the phone book under lighting contractors and then look for one who specilizes in office lighting upgrades. these reflectors are made for putting into floressent fixtures to increase the light output. they come in various sizes and shapes, so the trick is finding a place that will let you go through them and find what you think you need.

Steve

[smellsfishy]

polished stainless steel mixing bowls Walmart $6 each. all you need are tin snips to cut a slot and a hammer to pound in dimples for diffusion. i can send to a pic if you want.

[TheReefGeek]

Interesting idea!

Can you put a pic up in this thread for everyone to see?

[Denis]

Originally Posted by StirCrazy

Ok wouldn't be cost effective to get it from my place but I can tell you how to find a place of your own

look in the phone book under lighting contractors and then look for one who specilizes in office lighting upgrades. these reflectors are made for putting into floressent fixtures to increase the light output. they come in various sizes and shapes, so the trick is finding a place that will let you go through them and find what you think you need.

Steve

This is exactly what I did.
I got these reflectors from Dickinson Mtg. #407-204 Cayer st., Coquitlam 604-525-6444.
One reflector @ $27 about 3 years ago.
They can also cut you a piece, but more expensive.

[smellsfishy]

I was out shopping with the family being annoyed i wasn't able to finish my tank setup, and it hit me, 12$ later and 6 months use i see no need to replace them they work so well, not bad for a cheap substitute until i could afford better. Notes: i was able to attach them to the flashing which lines my hood thus no heat transfer problems, i wouldn't just screw them into wood. and the placement of the center of the bulb to the center of the bowl is important. I used the 13" ones and the most non scratched and refletive ones i could find, the sharper your refletion the better.

[TheReefGeek]

Cool, thanks for the pics!

[muck]

Do you have any pics with the bulbs mounted in them?
That looks like a really neat DIY idea.