aquariumrookie
Member
I'm looking to upgrade to T5s as some of you know, but for now is there any way I can make my own reflectors for my PCs? They are 48" long. Could I do tin foil?....I've seen this done in a few pics. Any other methods?
Any Way to Make Light Reflectors?
- Thread starter aquariumrookie
- Start date
scsinet
Active Member
It goes without saying that unless you have the ability to polish aluminum and have access to a bending brake, you probably won't be able to make a reflector that performs anywhere near as well as a commercially bought one.
However, you can make ones that work alright. One thing to look at it metal flashing. You can get it at any home improvement store. You can:
- Make it out of roll flashing. This is the stuff you put on roofs where two rooflines meet. It's thin aluminum, already fairly brightly polished. It comes on a roll. This stuff makes the best DIY reflectors, but it's fairly springy and hard to bend to shape, but it can be done.
- Make it out of pre-formed flashing. This is the stuff that goes against chimneys, on top of doors and windows, etc. This is usually made of galvanized steel, so it's not as shiny, but you can bolt pieces together to make different shapes. If you want to increase reflectivity, you can cover it with the foil HVAC tape they use to join ductwork together.
However, you can make ones that work alright. One thing to look at it metal flashing. You can get it at any home improvement store. You can:
- Make it out of roll flashing. This is the stuff you put on roofs where two rooflines meet. It's thin aluminum, already fairly brightly polished. It comes on a roll. This stuff makes the best DIY reflectors, but it's fairly springy and hard to bend to shape, but it can be done.
- Make it out of pre-formed flashing. This is the stuff that goes against chimneys, on top of doors and windows, etc. This is usually made of galvanized steel, so it's not as shiny, but you can bolt pieces together to make different shapes. If you want to increase reflectivity, you can cover it with the foil HVAC tape they use to join ductwork together.
aquariumrookie
Member
Awesome guys, thanks for the advice and I'll keep looking into it!
spiked09
Member
I would caution against the use of mirrors, they will get hot and with one splash of cool water they will crack. Depending on how you attached the mirror you could end up with glass in your tank.
It would add a lot of weight to your canopy as well.
I have polished aluminum a fair bit and when done right it can look just like chrome. This is what I will be doing when I build my next canopy.
Just my 2 cents
It would add a lot of weight to your canopy as well.
I have polished aluminum a fair bit and when done right it can look just like chrome. This is what I will be doing when I build my next canopy.
Just my 2 cents
reefraff
Active Member
I tested an AquaZ reflector that looked just like the Ice Cao SLR except it was made from polished aluminum. It was over 20% less output than the Ice Cap.
Mirrors make a poor reflector. They are 2nd surface coated meaning the reflective coating is on the back side of the glass, So the light must travel through the glass,off the mirrored surface and back out the glass. Not good
Mirrors make a poor reflector. They are 2nd surface coated meaning the reflective coating is on the back side of the glass, So the light must travel through the glass,off the mirrored surface and back out the glass. Not good
tomato clown
Member
Couldn't you simply paint the inside of the canopy with a reflective paint?
An easy way to bend the roll flash is to use any straight edge. A few nice 4ft. 2x4's can hold the flash in between them as you press the bend. When you get the flash bent just enough to where you want a crease, tightly s.c.re.w(it filtered the word) the 2x4's toghtly together, get the hammer and striking block to make the crease. Simply cut off excess flash that you don't need.
OR
Ask the supplier to precut it for you.
SOMETIMES, and it's hard to find because they are typically made from copper, windowsills (usually in schools) are fabricated from polished aluminum in a variety of sizes, and these will have straight sections divided by a bend.
An easy way to bend the roll flash is to use any straight edge. A few nice 4ft. 2x4's can hold the flash in between them as you press the bend. When you get the flash bent just enough to where you want a crease, tightly s.c.re.w(it filtered the word) the 2x4's toghtly together, get the hammer and striking block to make the crease. Simply cut off excess flash that you don't need.
OR
Ask the supplier to precut it for you.
SOMETIMES, and it's hard to find because they are typically made from copper, windowsills (usually in schools) are fabricated from polished aluminum in a variety of sizes, and these will have straight sections divided by a bend.
flricordia
Active Member
I have been through the trying to make reflectors and just a waste of money and ended up buying the reflectors for T5s. I tryed the flashing too and it doesn't even come close to the polished mirror reflectors made for T5s. Best to jsut break down and buy them. In the end you will make out better becuse you will have much nicer lighting and better growth from your corals.
