reflector solution for diy DE fixture

tommyp · 12-15-2003, 12:37 PM

Hey all,

I am in the preliminary stages of planning a swith to DE bulbs. Does anyone have an Idea on what to use as a reflector. I will mount them in a hood and not in pendants. I imagine a spiderlight would need some work (flattening) to make it work and would not be an ideal choice. Would a pc reflector be a better DIY choice?

Thanks

tom

mwrager · 12-15-2003, 12:45 PM

Why would you want to flatten out the reflector. The way they are made helps dirrect the light down tward the tank. If you want to, put some aluminum in the hood where the reflector does not cover this may help reflect the light down.

tommyp · 12-15-2003, 01:15 PM

Should have ben more specific, The spider light has a 1" V bend right above the MH lamp to divert light going up to ether side. The DE bulb monts to a flat surface ruling out the spiderlight unless you flatten that section above the bulb.

Thanks

TP

mwrager · 12-15-2003, 01:36 PM

In that case a PC reflector my work for you.

SZHTTM · 12-15-2003, 04:38 PM

I thought the DE bulbs had to be in a housing or pendant? I thought I read somewhere that they need the heat produced by the housing/pendant to operate correctly and to be able to produce the Kelvin temperatures they are rated for. Is this not true?

Thanks;

Maxx · 12-15-2003, 04:44 PM

I dont know about that, But I do know they generate ALOT of heat. I have heard of many people burning/scorching the wood of their canopy by not properly mounting their DE pendants. I would probably suck it up and spend the money on a reflector by either PFO or Sunlight Supply. JMO...
Nick

Pro_builder · 12-15-2003, 05:32 PM

I second this one. I would atleast do a lot of checking on the heat and kelvin issue. I have heard the same.

Quote:

I have heard of many people burning/scorching the wood of their canopy by not properly mounting their DE pendants. I would probably suck it up and spend the money on a reflector by either PFO or Sunlight Supply

wooddood · 12-15-2003, 05:45 PM

great info all im taggin along.

tommyp · 12-15-2003, 05:49 PM

Cool thanks all,

Didn't realize that the Hqi's needed there own enclosure. Makes it a bit cost prohibitive with or dangerous w/o. Will probably just run 2 SE 250's.

I have a 65 and am running one iwaski w/ 200 watts of actinic but want to step up to two 250's because of the cross brace. Trying to get away w/o using actinics. Looking at 10k-14k but not sure what I want.

Thanks

Tom

danny254 · 12-18-2003, 05:59 PM

DE metal halide are a more efficient form of lighting than SE MH. They do give a lot more heat, but along with that, a lot more light. You can always use halogen fixtures and put in new sockets, and now you have a housing and reflector for 30 bucks.

12-15-2003, 12:37 PM	#1 (permalink)
tommyp Neon dottyback Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: VT Posts: 659 View Gallery Karma Komment	reflector solution for diy DE fixture Hey all, I am in the preliminary stages of planning a swith to DE bulbs. Does anyone have an Idea on what to use as a reflector. I will mount them in a hood and not in pendants. I imagine a spiderlight would need some work (flattening) to make it work and would not be an ideal choice. Would a pc reflector be a better DIY choice? Thanks tom

12-15-2003, 12:45 PM	#2 (permalink)
mwrager Elegance coral Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Gilbert AZ Posts: 1,068 View Gallery Karma Komment	Why would you want to flatten out the reflector. The way they are made helps dirrect the light down tward the tank. If you want to, put some aluminum in the hood where the reflector does not cover this may help reflect the light down. __________________ Mark Some days I realy feel old! http://www.reefsanctuary.com/Banners/RS_banner3.gif

12-15-2003, 01:15 PM	#3 (permalink)
tommyp Neon dottyback Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: VT Posts: 659 View Gallery Karma Komment	don't flatten the reflector? Should have ben more specific, The spider light has a 1" V bend right above the MH lamp to divert light going up to ether side. The DE bulb monts to a flat surface ruling out the spiderlight unless you flatten that section above the bulb. Thanks TP

12-15-2003, 01:36 PM	#4 (permalink)
mwrager Elegance coral Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Gilbert AZ Posts: 1,068 View Gallery Karma Komment	In that case a PC reflector my work for you. __________________ Mark Some days I realy feel old! http://www.reefsanctuary.com/Banners/RS_banner3.gif

12-15-2003, 04:44 PM	#6 (permalink)
Maxx Manta Ray Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: St Louis Mo Posts: 3,079 View Gallery Karma Komment	I dont know about that, But I do know they generate ALOT of heat. I have heard of many people burning/scorching the wood of their canopy by not properly mounting their DE pendants. I would probably suck it up and spend the money on a reflector by either PFO or Sunlight Supply. JMO... Nick __________________ "Chaos, confusion, despair...my work is done here." ...Some guy named Murphy.... A good friend will come and bail you out of jail...but, a true friend will be sitting next to you saying, "Damn...that was fun!" Reef Sanctuary Knowledgebase (Answers to all your questions and then some!)

12-15-2003, 04:38 PM	#5 (permalink)
SZHTTM Serpent Star Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Davie, FL. (South Florida) Posts: 203 View Gallery Karma Komment	I thought the DE bulbs had to be in a housing or pendant? I thought I read somewhere that they need the heat produced by the housing/pendant to operate correctly and to be able to produce the Kelvin temperatures they are rated for. Is this not true? Thanks;

12-15-2003, 05:45 PM	#8 (permalink)
wooddood the wood dude Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: CARMEL. INDIANA Posts: 3,450 View Gallery Karma Komment	great info all im taggin along. __________________ 120 gal/in wall tank/starboard substraight/2 250 watt 10k xm metal halides/ 4 55watt 03 actinics/150lbs lr/scwd on return/scwd on a closed loop/aquaclear aquatics 200 pro wetdry w/skimmer. ask all the questions you have if we cant answer it we'll make up some thing. remember patience is the key to a kick ass reef. dave.

12-15-2003, 05:49 PM	#9 (permalink)
tommyp Neon dottyback Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: VT Posts: 659 View Gallery Karma Komment	Cool thanks all, Didn't realize that the Hqi's needed there own enclosure. Makes it a bit cost prohibitive with or dangerous w/o. Will probably just run 2 SE 250's. I have a 65 and am running one iwaski w/ 200 watts of actinic but want to step up to two 250's because of the cross brace. Trying to get away w/o using actinics. Looking at 10k-14k but not sure what I want. Thanks Tom __________________ "I think that you can start the bombs of oceanrunner. They are good bombs for a rollback." 190g (60x30x25) upgrade in progress, 90g basement sump Check it out here!

12-18-2003, 05:59 PM	#10 (permalink)
danny254 Midas Blenny Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Redding, northern CA Posts: 101 View Gallery Karma Komment	DE metal halide are a more efficient form of lighting than SE MH. They do give a lot more heat, but along with that, a lot more light. You can always use halogen fixtures and put in new sockets, and now you have a housing and reflector for 30 bucks.

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