Reflector 20"
- Thread starter TheFighterFish
- Start date
Yep, I have a plastic one and it stinks, literally.
With the retrofit kit that I order, there came some pop in vents. However, I wasn't able to install these because I don't have a drill that can make 1 inch circles. Some of the heat must not be escaping and creating that bad smell.
Where can I find this speed tape?
With the retrofit kit that I order, there came some pop in vents. However, I wasn't able to install these because I don't have a drill that can make 1 inch circles. Some of the heat must not be escaping and creating that bad smell.
Where can I find this speed tape?
Well,
my relector has been busted. Cracks everywhere and flaky too. I threw it away. I've thought about using aluminum, but I'd have no way of mounting my bulb sockets. And also, where would I put my ballasts. It'd be pretty dangerous if they got heated up.
I've thought about ordering some more from AH supplies. I really want to save money, and I hate paying shipping. The speed tape is an okay idea. I don't know if I'll go with it in the long run.
my relector has been busted. Cracks everywhere and flaky too. I threw it away. I've thought about using aluminum, but I'd have no way of mounting my bulb sockets. And also, where would I put my ballasts. It'd be pretty dangerous if they got heated up.
I've thought about ordering some more from AH supplies. I really want to save money, and I hate paying shipping. The speed tape is an okay idea. I don't know if I'll go with it in the long run.
Aluminum tape works well.
You saw how I used it on my DIY lighting thread.
Here is a post from that thread www.myfishtank.net/forum/417253-post50.html
If you were going the route of ridgid metal, aluminum roof sheeting might be your best bet.
You would need to use some regular steel wool to polish/clean the metal.
After that, polish/wipe it off and it'll shine.
Maybe to attach it you should look into some sort of construction adhesive.
You will need a drill and/or tin snips.
Make the holes you need then mount the ballasts on the inside of the hood, inside the DIY reflector.
I'm assuming the ballasts have mounting brackets.
Make sure you drill or cut out venting on the top of the hood and also near the bottom.
The problem with having high heat and only top venting is a lack of air circulation.
You need low vents to allow cool air to be sucked into the hood while the hot air rises.
If not you'll create an oven.
Your other safe bet is to install a CPU cooling fan.
The bulbs are long and narrow this is good for space saving.
I am assuming the sockets are mountable to the hood as well?
These are going to have to be mounted to the top or the back.
Unfortunately the plastic hood is going to have to be drilled and bolted through.
I suggest that you attempt to do all of the mounting on the back of the hood.
This way it'll save the front/top from any unsightly hardware.
Once you get all the components needed, the installation should be easier than DIY lighting w/ screw in CF.
The crappiest part of DIY w/ CF is figuring out how to mount the sockets.
You saw how I used it on my DIY lighting thread.
Here is a post from that thread www.myfishtank.net/forum/417253-post50.html
If you were going the route of ridgid metal, aluminum roof sheeting might be your best bet.
You would need to use some regular steel wool to polish/clean the metal.
After that, polish/wipe it off and it'll shine.
Maybe to attach it you should look into some sort of construction adhesive.
You will need a drill and/or tin snips.
Make the holes you need then mount the ballasts on the inside of the hood, inside the DIY reflector.
I'm assuming the ballasts have mounting brackets.
Make sure you drill or cut out venting on the top of the hood and also near the bottom.
The problem with having high heat and only top venting is a lack of air circulation.
You need low vents to allow cool air to be sucked into the hood while the hot air rises.
If not you'll create an oven.
Your other safe bet is to install a CPU cooling fan.
The bulbs are long and narrow this is good for space saving.
I am assuming the sockets are mountable to the hood as well?
These are going to have to be mounted to the top or the back.
Unfortunately the plastic hood is going to have to be drilled and bolted through.
I suggest that you attempt to do all of the mounting on the back of the hood.
This way it'll save the front/top from any unsightly hardware.
Once you get all the components needed, the installation should be easier than DIY lighting w/ screw in CF.
The crappiest part of DIY w/ CF is figuring out how to mount the sockets.
Thanks GIS Guy,
I'm heading to Costco today and might pick up an electric drill. I don't think they sell any metal hardware. I might head over to Home Depot or Osh's to get what I need. The hard part about this thing is figuring out where to put each item and also how to attach it to the hood.
In the retrofit kit, they gave me two side pop-in vents. I will need to drill two 1 inch holes on the side of my black hood. This will create the low vents you mentioned earlier.
GIS Guy, you assumed right. Both the sockets for the bulbs and the ballasts have mounting brackets. What kind of nuts and bolts should I use? They gave me 3/8" long #6 screws.
I'm heading to Costco today and might pick up an electric drill. I don't think they sell any metal hardware. I might head over to Home Depot or Osh's to get what I need. The hard part about this thing is figuring out where to put each item and also how to attach it to the hood.
In the retrofit kit, they gave me two side pop-in vents. I will need to drill two 1 inch holes on the side of my black hood. This will create the low vents you mentioned earlier.
GIS Guy, you assumed right. Both the sockets for the bulbs and the ballasts have mounting brackets. What kind of nuts and bolts should I use? They gave me 3/8" long #6 screws.
So I went to Home Depot today and couldn't find anything that I wanted. I think I might just order some reflectors online that go with my retrofit kit. A little bit more money, but makes the job easier.
As for the installation, my neighbor has some power tools that I might be able to use.
Currently, I am using a aluminum sheet as a reflector. This is bad because the lights are not mounted and are just sitting on the glass canopy. It is the same with the ballasts. I might pick up some better hardware.
EDIT:I just checked the website right now and its so expensive. With shipping, its a little over 20 dollars for 2 reflectors. I don't know what I am going to do at this point.
As for the installation, my neighbor has some power tools that I might be able to use.
Currently, I am using a aluminum sheet as a reflector. This is bad because the lights are not mounted and are just sitting on the glass canopy. It is the same with the ballasts. I might pick up some better hardware.
EDIT:I just checked the website right now and its so expensive. With shipping, its a little over 20 dollars for 2 reflectors. I don't know what I am going to do at this point.
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Well, I have a game plan.
I found some mylar sheets online @ this url:
Reflective Mylar Sheeting (for use in DIY lighting systems)
The only problem is that ordering the quantities are confusing. I am not sure what they mean by 4' (is that inches or foot). If anyone can figure this out, let me know how much I should order.
I will most likely go to my friend's house to borrow his drill. Poke a few holes here and there. Mount the ballasts to the back of the hood. Next, I would attach the mylar sheet to cover up the ballasts while still exposing the wires to connect the ballasts. Drill some more holes, attach the bulb sockets. Lastly, make a one inch hold to put in the side vents. This allows for more ventilation which is always good. When I have that all set up, I will snap pictures of course.
My plans for this tank are no more fish, but to rather plant the thing out. I would like to try my hand at more medium-end lights.
I found some mylar sheets online @ this url:
Reflective Mylar Sheeting (for use in DIY lighting systems)
The only problem is that ordering the quantities are confusing. I am not sure what they mean by 4' (is that inches or foot). If anyone can figure this out, let me know how much I should order.
I will most likely go to my friend's house to borrow his drill. Poke a few holes here and there. Mount the ballasts to the back of the hood. Next, I would attach the mylar sheet to cover up the ballasts while still exposing the wires to connect the ballasts. Drill some more holes, attach the bulb sockets. Lastly, make a one inch hold to put in the side vents. This allows for more ventilation which is always good. When I have that all set up, I will snap pictures of course.
My plans for this tank are no more fish, but to rather plant the thing out. I would like to try my hand at more medium-end lights.