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03-21-2006, 04:28 PM
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#1
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Big Fishy
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Norcross, ga
Posts: 560
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DYI Reflector
I have an 50GL tank with an canopy and need to put in a Reflector.
I been using an build in reflector for my VHO lights, but my new order come in wrong and they all does not have an build in reflector.
I could send it back and wait for them to send me the right 1, or I could try and make a new reflector and save on the cost of a build in reflector.
I am thinking it is going to be better to just buy/build my own reflector and save me the time now and money later on the road.
I try to search for DYI reflector and nothing come up.
Thank
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PUT THE MEAT ON THE BURNNER!!!!!!!! wolfie is comming over for dinner
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03-21-2006, 04:32 PM
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#2
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Milkshake Man
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: SW Florida
Posts: 9,641
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Can you post some pics?? I have built a reflector for my VHO lights from sheet metal at home depot.
Tim |
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03-21-2006, 04:37 PM
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#3
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: spartanburg, south carolina
Posts: 4,703
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what kind of metal is that? Is it safe to place "as is" or would you need to put a coating on it? Just wondering cause I need to make a DIY reflector as well and was going to Home Depot this weekend.
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03-21-2006, 04:37 PM
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#4
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Professor Chaos
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Arkham Asylum
Posts: 9,756
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if you want to go really easy then just get a cardboard tube and cut it in half. then paint the inside Matte White.
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I mix twinkies and ding dongs all the time, in Europe they call it a Dinky -- Homer Simpson
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03-21-2006, 04:40 PM
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#5
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Big Fishy
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Norcross, ga
Posts: 560
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If you mean pic of the inside of my canopy then this is the best 1 can can come up with.
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PUT THE MEAT ON THE BURNNER!!!!!!!! wolfie is comming over for dinner
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03-21-2006, 04:43 PM
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#6
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It can be rebuilt.
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Pittsboro, NC
Posts: 19,158
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studies have found that painting the inside white reflects more light than using a mirrored surface.
example
the big difference is the fact that it is difficult to keep the reflector clean of salt. on a white surface this is not as big of a deal.
G~
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My Build Thread
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03-21-2006, 04:46 PM
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#7
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Milkshake Man
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: SW Florida
Posts: 9,641
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I have done both. Painted the inside of my canopy glossy white and using a reflector. I didnt coat it with anything.
Tim
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03-21-2006, 04:47 PM
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#8
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Big Fishy
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Norcross, ga
Posts: 560
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so you mean I can just paint the inside of my canopy white and that it?
Sound easy 
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PUT THE MEAT ON THE BURNNER!!!!!!!! wolfie is comming over for dinner
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03-21-2006, 04:50 PM
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#9
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Milkshake Man
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: SW Florida
Posts: 9,641
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by wolfie
so you mean I can just paint the inside of my canopy white and that it?
Sound easy |
Yep its that easy......but!!! There is one thing you have to do that is the hard part. Well not really hard but a lot of people dont like doing it.
You have to promise to take pics!!  
Tim
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03-21-2006, 04:51 PM
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#10
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Professor Chaos
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Arkham Asylum
Posts: 9,756
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yup. remember the optic properties of white. it is absent of all color hence it reflects all colors back into your tank. the best seems to be a matte white, not a glossy for some reason.
__________________
I mix twinkies and ding dongs all the time, in Europe they call it a Dinky -- Homer Simpson
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03-21-2006, 04:53 PM
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#11
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Big Fishy
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Norcross, ga
Posts: 560
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hmm what kind of white?
Gloss or Metalic white?
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PUT THE MEAT ON THE BURNNER!!!!!!!! wolfie is comming over for dinner
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03-21-2006, 05:05 PM
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#12
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: spartanburg, south carolina
Posts: 4,703
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are we talking about regular latex paint here or something special?
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03-21-2006, 11:14 PM
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#13
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Little Fishy
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 335
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Coffee tins cut in half and bolted to the top.
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03-22-2006, 12:32 AM
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#14
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It can be rebuilt.
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Pittsboro, NC
Posts: 19,158
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good ole latex paint. it does two purposes. it not only reflects the light it protects the surface from moisture.
G~
__________________
Think Tanker
Friends Don't Let Friends Use Refugiums!
Reef Knowledge Impaired
"J" crowd member.
My Build Thread
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03-22-2006, 12:52 AM
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#15
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Big Fishy
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Norcross, ga
Posts: 560
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Sound easy. Guess I am going to have to drop by the paint shop tomorrow.
THANK
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PUT THE MEAT ON THE BURNNER!!!!!!!! wolfie is comming over for dinner
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