wanareef Posted April 21, 2009 Share Posted April 21, 2009 Went shopping for a light for the tank, 36"L x 24"D x 21"H thought that one LumenBright 3 Pendant in DE and maybe 2x URI's on either side would cover the tank. Talked to Keith @ FishyBusiness (cause I was gonna to order the DE Pendant and a 14K DE Phoenix bulb for the free shipping) that it would have shadows in the corners. So I decided to find a Solar Tube Extension to make my own reflectors. The Velux 14" x 24" fits two reflectors, exactly. So far... one completely cut out and waiting assembly. Will post more pix's when done. Should be tomorrow. (clap) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 This is going to be my next project. Nice pics. Jay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishmanmike01 Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 Where did you find the pattern? I want to make one too. I have the material just not the pattern. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael7979 Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 So how much do you have invest in time and money making these? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wanareef Posted April 22, 2009 Author Share Posted April 22, 2009 Jay I found that the tube will just be enough for two reflectors and since these will be in a hood, one side might be off by 1/16". The 14" dia x 24" is about 43 3/4" laid out and the pattern is about 21 3/4". I cut the material in half for eaiser working and cutting. There is a film to protect the "shiny" side and this is the side I attached the pattern to. I used the spray adhesive from 3m. The cost of the tube was $34 @ Lowes. I've had the patterns for some time now, time - open the box and "unroll" the material, 5 mins, spray adhesive onto the back of the pattern 2 mins, total of 4 mins for both fixtures, cutting - maybe 10 mins, assembly shouldn't be more than 30 mins for one, drilling holes and pop rivit it together. Will be assembling it today and try to keep track of time, but from start to finish you should be able to do two in a couple of hours (probably less) with the tools on hand. Mike I have extra patterns, but you'll have to cut and paste it together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wanareef Posted April 22, 2009 Author Share Posted April 22, 2009 Took about an hour to assemble it. Now that I know what I'm doing, it should go a little faster one down - ran out of rivets..... go store/buy more Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tertansin2 Posted April 23, 2009 Share Posted April 23, 2009 Nice job!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stylaster Posted April 23, 2009 Share Posted April 23, 2009 that is very cool, and nice job too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
downhill_biker Posted April 23, 2009 Share Posted April 23, 2009 so where could i find a pattern? is it something i have to buy, or is it something i can print out? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
downhill_biker Posted April 23, 2009 Share Posted April 23, 2009 also, can you take a relative measurement of the spread at about 30" height? what are the fixture dimensions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R-3 Posted April 23, 2009 Share Posted April 23, 2009 Man I think I have a couple of those laying around from previous jobs, let me check! I will be putting my order in soon Charles Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tigerv503 Posted April 23, 2009 Share Posted April 23, 2009 That's really cool you're able to do it yourself. Those reflectors are expensive, i may just copy what you're doing. Please post pics when completely finish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coralreefaquarist Posted April 23, 2009 Share Posted April 23, 2009 the patterns ae in a pdf file theres a build thread on rc. i have them somewhere Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wanareef Posted April 23, 2009 Author Share Posted April 23, 2009 Here's the link to the pattern Here they are both finished. Now just waiting for the sockets and bulbs to come in. I'll be using the Phoeinx 14k 250w DE's and will be working on a "fixture" hood to house these two and 4x URI's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jadams7 Posted April 27, 2009 Share Posted April 27, 2009 WOO nice! Great job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FishKiler Posted May 3, 2009 Share Posted May 3, 2009 I built a couple of those. I made a small mod to the design, I cut a 2 1/2" hole in the top and put in a second "bottom" with spacers that way the heat goes out the top. When the lights are on you can feel the draft from the vents. The original idea was to attach flex hose like you use for the dryer and have a fan pull air from the reflector, I may still do it like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dsoz Posted May 3, 2009 Share Posted May 3, 2009 I built a couple of those. I made a small mod to the design' date=' I cut a 2 1/2" hole in the top and put in a second "bottom" with spacers that way the heat goes out the top. When the lights are on you can feel the draft from the vents. The original idea was to attach flex hose like you use for the dryer and have a fan pull air from the reflector, I may still do it like that.[/quote'] nice idea, do you have pictures of what it looks like when done? When I expand my anemone prop system, I may look into doing something like this for lights. Looks easy and cheap. Two words that I love. dsoz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wanareef Posted May 3, 2009 Author Share Posted May 3, 2009 Yeah, I'd like to see the pix too. Might not be too late to do that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FishKiler Posted May 7, 2009 Share Posted May 7, 2009 I have the pix just figuring out how to post them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nyles Posted May 7, 2009 Share Posted May 7, 2009 Very nice, I should have made mine from the sun tube material. Here is the ones I did some time ago. http://s112.photobucket.com/albums/n184/nyleswright/mockup/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FishKiler Posted May 7, 2009 Share Posted May 7, 2009 Here are the pix http://picasaweb.google.com/igor.y1/Forum# Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dsoz Posted May 8, 2009 Share Posted May 8, 2009 Those are really cool looking. I am so going to do this for my next light setup! dsoz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R-3 Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 Did you ever drill the holes yet Charles??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CA2OR Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 dang quite the reflector right there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wanareef Posted May 25, 2009 Author Share Posted May 25, 2009 Ryan3 - No not yet. DOH! Dennis - thanks again for the cheato the 2 reflectors only cost the $39 for the solar tube extension plus some aluminum rivets. I have several of the drawings in my file cabinet if you need one or two LMK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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