hobogato Posted August 31, 2006 Share Posted August 31, 2006 no, it isnt a typo, its my cheezy name for a reflector i made for my tank. i have wanted to put luminarc or luminarc minis on my tank, but there wasnt enough space. after studying a luminarc mini, i came up with this modified reflector that is 2 inches narrower, but the normal 14.5 inches long - it just so happens that will fit perfectly over my tank. one down and two more to assemble, then i will replace one spider reflector with one of these and take a quick pic to compare its output to the other spider reflectors in the tank. i am making them out of the solar tube material that they had for sale at lowe's. it comes out to about $60 to make two. ill keep ya posted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hammondegge Posted September 1, 2006 Share Posted September 1, 2006 very cool ace. did you deconstruct a luminarc or get some help from NASA? i want to do something like that for my 200 project. did you make a template? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hobogato Posted September 1, 2006 Author Share Posted September 1, 2006 i just took some measurements on a luminarc mini, then made posterboard templates to trace onto the metal. i am making 5 in all, and it will probably work out to about 12 hours of work and $160. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hammondegge Posted September 1, 2006 Share Posted September 1, 2006 but can you make a violin out of that?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hobogato Posted September 1, 2006 Author Share Posted September 1, 2006 happy2.gif happy2.gif happy2.gif Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hobogato Posted September 1, 2006 Author Share Posted September 1, 2006 here is a pic with all lights off except two 250 watt mh. both are the same ballast and bulb, the one on the left is the old spider reflector, and the one on the right is the new reflector. i think the difference is even more noticable in person Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hammondegge Posted September 2, 2006 Share Posted September 2, 2006 do you see an increase in area illuminated as well as intensity? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hobogato Posted September 2, 2006 Author Share Posted September 2, 2006 the difference (now that i have all three in) is REALLY noticable. brighter, more shimmer, more color in the corals and the color of the light is better. im running 14k coralvue bulbs in those reflectors and the color doesnt seem quite as blue. also, i turned on the 10k DEs for a minute to see if the tank looked better with them on as well, and the corals didnt seem to wash out in color as much as they used to, so the 2 DE fixtures dont completely overpower the SE fixtures any more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GKarshens Posted September 2, 2006 Share Posted September 2, 2006 That is an amazing difference. I think you may have found a new job. Making reflectors for all of us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hobogato Posted September 7, 2006 Author Share Posted September 7, 2006 ok, so i finally finished this lighting rework project. here's a recap - i made luminark type reflectors for my 3 single end 250 watt mh lights, i made replacement reflectors (didnt change style) for my DE 250 watt pendants, and i made brackets so my PC actinics hang just above the water level but can easily be hoisted for access to the tank. here are a few pics. tank with all lights on before i started - 8 @ 65 watt PC true actinic, 2 @ 65 watt PC 50/50, 3 @ 250 watt SE CV 14k with spider reflectors and 2 @ 250 watt DE CV Reeflux 10k standard pendants tank with all lights on now - 8 @ 65 watt PC true actinic, no PC 50/50, 3 @ 250 watt SE CV with new reflectors and 2 @ 250 watt DE CV Reeflux 12k (new bulbs) with new reflectors in pendants - it doesnt really look this blue in person. pendant with old reflector pendant with new reflector anyone want these? you can have em just pm me, they are the old DE reflectors - nothing wrong with them (well, one of them has been straightened out and rebent, so it isnt perfect) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Entropy Posted September 7, 2006 Share Posted September 7, 2006 Wow! The color difference is amazing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
celebrityovernight Posted September 10, 2006 Share Posted September 10, 2006 hey ace, very nice project. i was wondering, how did you manage to get the joints together for the se reflector. i'm looking for some good reflectors, but luminarcs are just way out of reach for a college student like me. can you post a documentory of this projecT??? that'll be great!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hobogato Posted September 10, 2006 Author Share Posted September 10, 2006 i didnt take pics during assembly, but the seams are just pop rivetted together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thedude Posted September 10, 2006 Share Posted September 10, 2006 Ace, Any chance I could convince you to make me a reflector on a DE fixture? I have an aquamedic one right now and the reflector is made out of dented aluminum.... not so effective. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hobogato Posted September 10, 2006 Author Share Posted September 10, 2006 the DE is VERY easy, just take the old one out and flatten it. trace it onto the solar light reflector material and cut it out. there is no bradding involved, it just has four tabs that fit into slots. you could do it easily for about $30. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thedude Posted September 11, 2006 Share Posted September 11, 2006 Where is the solar tube material specifically in Lowe's Ace if I may ask. Also, what do you use to cut the reflector material? John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hobogato Posted September 11, 2006 Author Share Posted September 11, 2006 it was aisle 47 in our lowe's - by the windows. it is called solar tube or sun tube (cant remember for sure). i used tin snips to cut it, it is very thin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thedude Posted September 11, 2006 Share Posted September 11, 2006 I'm fairly DIY retarded so I may have to just persuade you to make them for me Ace but I'm going to give it a shot! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hobogato Posted September 11, 2006 Author Share Posted September 11, 2006 ill do it if you really want me to, but i need one of the old reflectors as a template. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GKarshens Posted September 11, 2006 Share Posted September 11, 2006 John, I am pretty good with DIY stuff so I can try and help you if you want. Just let me know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thedude Posted September 16, 2006 Share Posted September 16, 2006 So... I don't think the Lowe's around here carries it as I looked for about 1 1/2 hours and couldn't even find an employee who knew ANYTHING about it. Another really fun fact is that the Lowe's computer system cannot search items by name. Gabe there is a good chance I'll be soliciting your help for one of these dontknow.gif Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GKarshens Posted September 16, 2006 Share Posted September 16, 2006 I would like to help you because I am thinking about trying to modify my spider reflectors to make them better as well. Call me if you want tomorrow. -My wife is going to be busy all day so I will be free. 657-5472 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reefman Posted October 2, 2006 Share Posted October 2, 2006 I would like to help as well, John, just for possible future experience. I'm not normally a complete klutz on DIY either, and years ago in my old SCM days I made a complete upper body set of stainless steel plate armor ( fought in it for almost two years). Your not far away so let me know. Stephen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reefman Posted October 2, 2006 Share Posted October 2, 2006 I just noticed the date Gabriel posted, so I might be late to the party, but the offer still holds if you haven't done it yet. Stephen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reefman Posted October 2, 2006 Share Posted October 2, 2006 This might help as to material from Lowe's stie: http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=howT...Skylight.html#2 Hobogato, is the solar tube material the right stuff? Stephen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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