Ideas on making reflector for Metal Halide

[Wildcat]

Hello everyone!

I'm about to install a 250w metal halide in my 65g tank but i need to make some kind of a reflector. Does anyone have any links, pics, or ideas on what I can use??

Wildcat

[Greg Moore]

As low tech as it sounds (and is), I use extra heavy duty tin foil :)

I have used polished aluminum in past, it is hard to work with to some degree and over time it will corrode.

The tin foil is dirt cheap, it too will corrode, but is readily replacable and has the huge advantage of being very shapable. Place a doubled layer of it over the lamp, ground it (I screw a stainless screw through it with a ground wire) and then using really dark sunglasses, or welders glasses, shape it with the buld on until as much light as possible is reflecting into your face when looking streight into the hood (same direction the light is going to hit)..

Works :)

Greg Moore

[Dman]

Wildcat,
If you talk to REEFIN GEEK he has some hammertone which is great for reflectors. I'm sure he would part with some for some frags or better yet if you can tell him what the heck kind of fungus or algae is growing in his tank.
Dman
:spin:

[maimz]

id actually like to get my hands on some hammertone as well..i have a buddy in the states who did a whole hydroponics system with homemade air cooled hammertone reflectors which were better than anything out there...maybe if he wasnt so lazy he could be marketing them right now...im wondering about the variations of thickness that it is available in? anyone?
REEFIN GEEK?

[Mitchell]

Hammertone????????????????????????????????
Did someone say HAMMERTONE?????????????????????????????

Got lot's

BLOW OUT PRICES

lookin for frags
email me

[stephane]

how much for the Hammertone did they are completly polished?
how many do you have maybe I could take them all

email me zapdesign@sympatico.ca

[Ocean Images]

I made my own light hood, I lined the entire underside with aluminum tape, you can find it in the hardware store right beside duct tape. Its not as cheap as tin foil but it is durable and VERY easy to apply.:D

[maimz]

are you using halides with this setup? the reason i ask is that i am thinking of making it air cooled when i eventually do get halides into my system..i am just starting out though and am going to take gregs advice and start with fluoros...thanks

[Ocean Images]

You can use the tape for any lids, I use at least two cooling fans on every lid I make. The halides get hot you have to make sure you get a good amount of air across them. I have never had a problem with the aluminum tape and I have built many canopys.
Good luck with your project