CD reflectors?
- Thread starter Cichlasomaniac
- Start date
Have you been saving up all those AOL disks? 
I suppose you could get creative with them. Maybe put them all over the back wall of the tank?
I suppose you could get creative with them. Maybe put them all over the back wall of the tank?
Better off trying something else...
I've been looking for a good source of reflective material myself. Pre-made kits are way too expensive. I've seen some polished aluminum sheets pre-bent for two florescent bulbs as high $200 bucks! Here are some things that I have tried and I am looking into.
1) Aluminum Foil - Its very cheap, and you can bend it any way you want. You can conform it to various shapes by rubbing them on hard surfaces. It does get tricky to connect it to the hood. I used screws.
2) Aluminum Craft Sheets - Search on www.froogle.com for "aluminum sheet metal". You get a lot of results for cheap (2-5$) sheets. The only problem is that some of them are not very polished. You'll have do do that part yourself. They are also pretty small, with the most common size of 10" by 6". At least that is larger than a CD. You'll have to cut and bend them to the desired shape.
3) Mirrors - These provide the absolute best reflection possible, but they are thick, hard to work with, and heavy. You'll also have to make sure they won't be damaged by the heat coming from your light source.
4) Cookie Sheets - Purchase the thinnest ones you can find and I'm sure you'll also discover that they are the cheapest. You'll need a way to cut and bend it though, but it is probably the best way to build your own reflector.
5) Silver Poster Board - This is also very cheap, but make sure it won't catch on fire! I haven't quite figured out how to effectively use this yet.
I've been looking for a good source of reflective material myself. Pre-made kits are way too expensive. I've seen some polished aluminum sheets pre-bent for two florescent bulbs as high $200 bucks! Here are some things that I have tried and I am looking into.
1) Aluminum Foil - Its very cheap, and you can bend it any way you want. You can conform it to various shapes by rubbing them on hard surfaces. It does get tricky to connect it to the hood. I used screws.
2) Aluminum Craft Sheets - Search on www.froogle.com for "aluminum sheet metal". You get a lot of results for cheap (2-5$) sheets. The only problem is that some of them are not very polished. You'll have do do that part yourself. They are also pretty small, with the most common size of 10" by 6". At least that is larger than a CD. You'll have to cut and bend them to the desired shape.
3) Mirrors - These provide the absolute best reflection possible, but they are thick, hard to work with, and heavy. You'll also have to make sure they won't be damaged by the heat coming from your light source.
4) Cookie Sheets - Purchase the thinnest ones you can find and I'm sure you'll also discover that they are the cheapest. You'll need a way to cut and bend it though, but it is probably the best way to build your own reflector.
5) Silver Poster Board - This is also very cheap, but make sure it won't catch on fire! I haven't quite figured out how to effectively use this yet.
Hi again,
This time I will try not to kid around and offer up an idea I used on my set up.
I bought some Krylon metallic paint and painted the white with shiny silver. Then I bought this and put a few cover coats over it. Hasn't burned up, but with 3 flourescents running with this rig I made it does put out alot of light. I took a 2 bulb hood, removed the front feeding opening, bought some hinges at Home depot, and a Cabinet handel. Then I put a single strip flourescent hinged to the 2 bulb so it covers where the opening used to be in front, and since its hinged, it works the same, just adds an extra bulb for cheap.
Just some ideas to toss out there.
This time I will try not to kid around and offer up an idea I used on my set up.
I bought some Krylon metallic paint and painted the white with shiny silver. Then I bought this and put a few cover coats over it. Hasn't burned up, but with 3 flourescents running with this rig I made it does put out alot of light. I took a 2 bulb hood, removed the front feeding opening, bought some hinges at Home depot, and a Cabinet handel. Then I put a single strip flourescent hinged to the 2 bulb so it covers where the opening used to be in front, and since its hinged, it works the same, just adds an extra bulb for cheap.
Just some ideas to toss out there.
HI , What about MYLAR? I got a 3' sq. piece from a plant shop for $9. I figure i'll just attach to the underside of my canopy lid over the flourescent's. I figure for $9 what the heck !! Also I just bulit a canopy and I was wondering about venting. I already made the lid with no opening's. Are there any fans I could use? I have 2 30 watt bulb's inside. Any suggestion's?