DIY LumenArcs ...

[wanareef]

Went shopping for a light for the tank, 36"L x 24"D x 21"H thought that one LumenBright 3 Pendant in DE and maybe 2x URI's on either side would cover the tank.

Talked to Keith @ FishyBusiness (cause I was gonna to order the DE Pendant and a 14K DE Phoenix bulb for the free shipping) that it would have shadows in the corners.

So I decided to find a Solar Tube Extension to make my own reflectors. The Velux 14" x 24" is enough material for two reflectors, exactly.

Almost finished one reflector, just ran out of rivets

[wanareef]

almost finished one reflector- need to go store, buy more pop rivites

[OneDummHikk]

Congrats. It looks nice.

[Loverotties]

Looking good!

[ckusnierek]

looks great but I would be concerned that Velux is steel (I think).
MH reflector are usually made from aluminium
I would worry the Velux would rust in no time...

FWIW if it is steel you can buy rolled polished aluminum fairly cheap

[wanareef]

Sorry ckusnierek, it's aluminum. Please don't guess but check it out before you post.

[ckusnierek]

Originally Posted by wanareef

Sorry ckusnierek, it's aluminum. Please don't guess but check it out before you post.

I was going from what I read about the Velux roof top collectors. They are made for Galvanized steel. It was not bash on your DIY I think it looks great!

[quader94]

wow nice! whats the price comparison to DIY ones to normal store bought ones?

[ckusnierek]

Were did you get the patterns for the reflector?

I work in a machine shop and have lots of thin aluminum laying around I may try and fab one up...

[OneDummHikk]

http://www.reefdiversity.com/DIYPage...ectorIndex.htm

[wanareef]

quader94 These cost $39 for the material, $4 for the all aluminum reviets and free labor of course. Another $20 ea for the HQI sockets so $83 for DIY and store bought.

ckusnierek It won't work with just any aluminum piece, the Velux Solar Tube Extension is very very shinny material

[HD Fatboy®]

Originally Posted by wanareef

quader94 These cost $39 for the material, $4 for the all aluminum reviets and free labor of course. Another $20 ea for the HQI sockets so $83 for DIY and store bought.

OK, I have a dumb question...The cost U posted is for the reflector I assume......how much for the bulbs and ballast?....I am interested in building my own, but do not know what to purchase.

[wanareef]

The $ 83 is for the reflectors and the HQI sockets, since I already have 2x dual PFO HQI Ballast all I needed more were the bulbs.

For the bulbs, I will be using 2x Phoenix 14k 250w HQI DE. For me the total is $233, reflectors, bulbs, the sockets.

If you were to buy just the reflectors they are either $129 or $149, then another $60 - $100 depending on the bulb you want, then the ballast or the ICE Cap or this. So for $129 or $149 for the store bought reflector then a bulb to go with it $60 - $100 then the ballast $129 -about $338 for one 250w MH light.

I can't really help you on the bulbs and ballast as that is a personal choice, I'm just shearing something that I made from RC and here.

So by DIY you'll save about $70 or so. Some DIY and some buy.

I choose to DIY. It's fun, sense of accomplishment and save a little $$. So far I've built the acrylic tank and sump, the stand, the reflectors, working on the pendant hood with cheap hangers, plumbing will be a CL with a 3800 Sequence pump, DIY foam rock wall and 3 islands glued with foam.


good luck

[mxracer19]

Right on. If youve got enough time and patience you could most likely polish your own aluminum. Maybe Ill try that...

[Elegance Coral]

I would simply use the soatube extensions like wanareef did. This material is unbelievably reflective.