DIY reflector schematics

Matak · 08-28-2005, 03:28 AM

Has anyone successfully built & covered their own reflectors? Specifically for a t-8 ODNO? I have done searches here and on google, but I can't find any specifics. I did get as far as GulfCoast mentioning that he was going to design his own, but nothing past that.

I know that AH supply has great reflectors for sale, but the budget for my DIY tank is running low. I am also looking for an efficient design so I can get the most out of the bulbs I will be driving.

Matak · 08-28-2005, 09:00 PM

Ok, due to a lack of info on the interweb, I am attempting my own design. Critical input would be appreciated

I just have to attach my schematic somehow...

m.lemay · 08-29-2005, 12:03 AM

Use the search function. Several people have designed thier own reflectors here. Try Searching in the DIY or Lighting section. There's plans and everthing.

Marcel

Matak · 08-29-2005, 12:44 AM

Marcell, I looked but came up empty. What search words should I try?

Wasserpest · 08-29-2005, 01:06 AM

Try this: click on "Search", and type

reflector T8*

Enter

that should get you started.

I have wondered the same thing many times (how to get cheap but good T8 reflectors) and went in circles...

Someone mentioned recently that he polishes and bends aluminum. A while ago Gomer (I think) made his own reflector along with some schematics.

m.lemay · 08-29-2005, 01:12 AM

Check out this thread: http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/sh...tor+dimensions

m.lemay · 08-29-2005, 01:16 AM

Heres another one. http://web.telia.com/~u86438141/arti...g_lighting.htm

Matak · 08-29-2005, 02:25 AM

You guys are awesome, thanks!

In the meanwhile, I came up with this design:

The right angle shape at the top of the parabola will also be a reflector and should eliminate re-strike. Think it might work?

Wasserpest · 08-29-2005, 02:35 AM

<< dreaming of specular aluminum bent into this perfect shape>>

Yes, this would work great!

Matak · 08-29-2005, 02:35 AM

The 'Aquariance' site was gold. Looks like I have re-invented the wheel. Based on that example, I will go with my above design.

Thanks for the links

Matak · 08-29-2005, 03:41 AM

And here is my cutout template. I think 50 profiles should do me

JimmyYahoo · 09-01-2005, 06:15 AM

The famous AHs reflector...

Matak · 09-04-2005, 12:04 AM

So that is what the famous AH reflector looks like. Wish I could afford a few.

We just came back from visiting some freinds near Ottawa. This freind owns a laser cutter and was happy to cut out a 20" X 30" sheet of 3 ply baltic birch (about 3/32") out of which we cut 50 pcs. Here is a pic of three cutouts:

Matak · 09-17-2005, 12:51 AM

Here is an idea of how I would use the wood cutouts to form a parabolic reflector.

08-28-2005, 03:28 AM	#1
Matak Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Greater Toronto Area Posts: 319	DIY reflector schematics Has anyone successfully built & covered their own reflectors? Specifically for a t-8 ODNO? I have done searches here and on google, but I can't find any specifics. I did get as far as GulfCoast mentioning that he was going to design his own, but nothing past that. I know that AH supply has great reflectors for sale, but the budget for my DIY tank is running low. I am also looking for an efficient design so I can get the most out of the bulbs I will be driving. __________________ Steve Filstar advocate #29

08-28-2005, 09:00 PM	#2
Matak Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Greater Toronto Area Posts: 319	Ok, due to a lack of info on the interweb, I am attempting my own design. Critical input would be appreciated I just have to attach my schematic somehow... __________________ Steve Filstar advocate #29

08-29-2005, 12:03 AM	#3
m.lemay Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (9/100%) Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Naugatuck, CT. Posts: 2,647	Use the search function. Several people have designed thier own reflectors here. Try Searching in the DIY or Lighting section. There's plans and everthing. Marcel __________________ FILSTAR Pimp #2 75 gal heavily planted,50/50 Black beauty,Eco-complete substrate, Pressurised CO2 with solenoid, ph controller, AB Reactor 1000, 330 watts 9325K GE PC lighting,Ehiem Liquidoser, 2-Filstar xp3 canisters.

08-29-2005, 12:44 AM	#4
Matak Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Greater Toronto Area Posts: 319	Marcell, I looked but came up empty. What search words should I try? __________________ Steve Filstar advocate #29

08-29-2005, 01:06 AM	#5
Wasserpest Are these real? (View User Tanks) PTrader: (140/100%) Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Monterey, CA Posts: 14,648	Try this: click on "Search", and type reflector T8* Enter that should get you started. I have wondered the same thing many times (how to get cheap but good T8 reflectors) and went in circles... Someone mentioned recently that he polishes and bends aluminum. A while ago Gomer (I think) made his own reflector along with some schematics. __________________ All my tanks Autodosing Water Change Temperature Monitoring Cheap Filter The Wasser-Controller

08-29-2005, 01:12 AM	#6
m.lemay Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (9/100%) Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Naugatuck, CT. Posts: 2,647	Check out this thread: http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/sh...tor+dimensions __________________ FILSTAR Pimp #2 75 gal heavily planted,50/50 Black beauty,Eco-complete substrate, Pressurised CO2 with solenoid, ph controller, AB Reactor 1000, 330 watts 9325K GE PC lighting,Ehiem Liquidoser, 2-Filstar xp3 canisters.

08-29-2005, 01:16 AM	#7
m.lemay Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (9/100%) Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Naugatuck, CT. Posts: 2,647	Heres another one. http://web.telia.com/~u86438141/arti...g_lighting.htm __________________ FILSTAR Pimp #2 75 gal heavily planted,50/50 Black beauty,Eco-complete substrate, Pressurised CO2 with solenoid, ph controller, AB Reactor 1000, 330 watts 9325K GE PC lighting,Ehiem Liquidoser, 2-Filstar xp3 canisters.

08-29-2005, 02:25 AM	#8
Matak Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Greater Toronto Area Posts: 319	You guys are awesome, thanks! In the meanwhile, I came up with this design: The right angle shape at the top of the parabola will also be a reflector and should eliminate re-strike. Think it might work? __________________ Steve Filstar advocate #29

08-29-2005, 02:35 AM	#9
Wasserpest Are these real? (View User Tanks) PTrader: (140/100%) Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Monterey, CA Posts: 14,648	<< dreaming of specular aluminum bent into this perfect shape>> Yes, this would work great! __________________ All my tanks Autodosing Water Change Temperature Monitoring Cheap Filter The Wasser-Controller

08-29-2005, 03:41 AM	#11
Matak Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Greater Toronto Area Posts: 319	And here is my cutout template. I think 50 profiles should do me __________________ Steve Filstar advocate #29

09-01-2005, 06:15 AM	#12
JimmyYahoo Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (16/100%) Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: California Posts: 328	The famous AHs reflector...

09-04-2005, 12:04 AM	#13
Matak Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Greater Toronto Area Posts: 319	So that is what the famous AH reflector looks like. Wish I could afford a few. We just came back from visiting some freinds near Ottawa. This freind owns a laser cutter and was happy to cut out a 20" X 30" sheet of 3 ply baltic birch (about 3/32") out of which we cut 50 pcs. Here is a pic of three cutouts: __________________ Steve Filstar advocate #29

09-17-2005, 12:51 AM	#14
Matak Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Greater Toronto Area Posts: 319	Here is an idea of how I would use the wood cutouts to form a parabolic reflector. __________________ Steve Filstar advocate #29

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