My DIY Reflector

htn86 · 01-13-2008, 05:45 PM

I guess I just got bored or something over the weekend and decided to make reflectors for my planted tank. I ordered a roll of mylar film online and got an unrolled galvanized pipe from my local hardware store, I got to work. I first cut up the galvanized pipe to the desired dimension, in this case, it's for my 18" fluorescent. I then fold it to form angles for maximum reflectivity. I tried to mimic the ahsupply reflector design. It really doesn't matter how much you need to bend the angle because it can be fixed later on. I cut out a piece of mylar, then glued it on. I used wood glue (these stuffs really works) because I had good experience using it before on my other reflectors and it's the only glue laying around in my house. blah blah blah Not bad for a 3 hour project huh? I had a hard time taking pictures to show you guys the folds because these things are too bright from the light in the room.

Sponsors

AndrewH · 01-16-2008, 03:24 PM

Pretty nice build!

What'd you say was your overall cost in this project?

**Orlando** · 01-16-2008, 03:42 PM

Good stuff!

htn86 · 01-16-2008, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndrewH

Pretty nice build!

What'd you say was your overall cost in this project?

Well the most expensive thing here is the mylar film of course. It cost me 22$ shipped, but I barely used any of it since each roll is 50"X25'. The unrolled galvanize pipe cost $6 at my local hardware. I would say $28 total unless you do some sort of group sharing project on the mylar film.

rolloffhill · 01-22-2008, 11:56 PM

What exactly is unrolled galvanize pipe???

swylie · 01-23-2008, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rolloffhill

What exactly is unrolled galvanize pipe???

Stovepipe? It's either for that or some other kind of ventilation. Maybe just standard forced-air ductwork, dunno. It has corrugations at each end, and a fold along each edge for you to crimp it into a tube.

I'm pretty sure that htn86 only used it because it was a cheap source of non-rusting sheet metal.

**dekstr** · 01-23-2008, 04:04 AM

Great DIY project.

Galvanized pipe, basically the thin metal that air ducts are made of (if I'm correct).

Easy to form into shape and holds the shape.

I also second using wood glue, it was the only handy glue I had at the time of gluing mylar sheeting to my shoplights, works great.

Also, for anyone wanting to cut metal sheets, make sure you have real sheet-metal cutting scissors. Don't do it like me with paper-cutting scissors.

htn86 · 01-24-2008, 06:33 AM

Swylie: That's correct. Galvanized pipes are used in ventilation for wood/gas stove to carry the hot air around the house. Thus, it'll be able to withstand the heat from the lamps, and it's pretty much the cheapest non rusting metal I can think of.

dekstr: I got blisters on my hands now for using a scissor. It's worth it because my plants just grew like wild fire once I installed the new reflectors. The wood glue seems to be holding up pretty darn well. I also heard that guerrilla super glue works great for this project, too.

01-16-2008, 03:24 PM	#2 (permalink)
AndrewH Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (4) Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Fort Worth, TX (CowTown USA) Posts: 464	Pretty nice build! What'd you say was your overall cost in this project? __________________ Thanks, AndrewH check out our local fish forums: www.dfwfishbox.com

01-16-2008, 03:42 PM	#3 (permalink)
Orlando Green Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (57) Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Gainesville FL Posts: 2,368	Good stuff! __________________

01-22-2008, 11:56 PM	#5 (permalink)
rolloffhill Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (4) Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 155	What exactly is unrolled galvanize pipe??? __________________ www.dfwfishbox.com FPC#127

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

01-23-2008, 04:04 AM	#7 (permalink)
dekstr I am on temporary hiatus! (View User Tanks) PTrader: (2) Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,136	Great DIY project. Galvanized pipe, basically the thin metal that air ducts are made of (if I'm correct). Easy to form into shape and holds the shape. I also second using wood glue, it was the only handy glue I had at the time of gluing mylar sheeting to my shoplights, works great. Also, for anyone wanting to cut metal sheets, make sure you have real sheet-metal cutting scissors. Don't do it like me with paper-cutting scissors.

01-24-2008, 06:33 AM	#8 (permalink)
htn86 Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (15) Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: CT Posts: 219	Swylie: That's correct. Galvanized pipes are used in ventilation for wood/gas stove to carry the hot air around the house. Thus, it'll be able to withstand the heat from the lamps, and it's pretty much the cheapest non rusting metal I can think of. dekstr: I got blisters on my hands now for using a scissor. It's worth it because my plants just grew like wild fire once I installed the new reflectors. The wood glue seems to be holding up pretty darn well. I also heard that guerrilla super glue works great for this project, too.