Material for reflector

01-20-2001, 05:56 PM

What do you consider the best materail for a hood light reflector is? I can use stainless steel or aluminum or even galvanized. I should be able to get the SS and Al in a polished grade. How shiny should it be? I have read a article or 2 that suggest that really shinny isnt always better.
I will have the inside of the hood painted white but also need this reflector. It will be reflecting mh's and VHO's
I will be doing this DIY, I have access to a large metal brake at work so all I will have is the material cost.

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Paul C
The important thing is not to stop questioning.
Einstein

01-20-2001, 06:03 PM

I used a standard shop light reflector and applied aluminum tin knockers tape to it. Very reflective and able to withstand the heat also.

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Art
Art's Aquariums

01-20-2001, 06:56 PM

I would recommend highly polished aluminum. I don't think there is a problem with it. Thats what the spiderlights and reeflectors are made out of.

-Perry

01-20-2001, 08:29 PM

Polished aluminum worked the beas for mee and it's easy to work with!

Jamey[img]/ubb/biggrin.gif[/img]

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"If at first you don't succeed, well so much for skydiving"

Check out my reef at REAL BIG FISH'S REEF

01-21-2001, 04:22 AM

Polished to the point of a mirror surface? I havnet ever seen the spider light reflector except in a picture which is hard to tell how shiny the shiny is.
Thanks

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Paul C
The important thing is not to stop questioning.
Einstein

01-21-2001, 04:56 AM

Yea, its like a mirror. Its spectral aluminum so it has like a 98% reflectiviy when new. I don't really believe in the need for dulled, or dimpled reflection, unless you are trying to diffuse the light. But I think you want to return all the light you can.

-Perry

01-21-2001, 04:55 PM

After several tries with all sorts of stuff (glass mirrors, mirrored lexan, etc.), spectral aluminum is the clear winner! I got it cut to fit from http://www.aquatictech.com/lighting.html

Later, James

01-21-2001, 04:59 PM

Thanks James. I am not sure I can get highly polished stuff from the steel companies I do business with. I would say its not a standard item. I will keep this one book marked.

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Paul C
The important thing is not to stop questioning.
Einstein

01-21-2001, 05:24 PM

James~

What problem did you run into using the glass mirrors?

01-21-2001, 05:29 PM

Unless you're successful at completely sealing the mirror, the salt creep will corrode the reflective surface on the back of the glass.

Later, James.

01-20-2001, 05:56 PM	#1
Ltspd Guest Posts: n/a	Material for reflector What do you consider the best materail for a hood light reflector is? I can use stainless steel or aluminum or even galvanized. I should be able to get the SS and Al in a polished grade. How shiny should it be? I have read a article or 2 that suggest that really shinny isnt always better. I will have the inside of the hood painted white but also need this reflector. It will be reflecting mh's and VHO's I will be doing this DIY, I have access to a large metal brake at work so all I will have is the material cost. ------------------ ------------------------ Paul C The important thing is not to stop questioning. Einstein

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01-20-2001, 06:03 PM	#2
ReefHog Guest Posts: n/a	I used a standard shop light reflector and applied aluminum tin knockers tape to it. Very reflective and able to withstand the heat also. ------------------ Art Art's Aquariums

01-20-2001, 06:56 PM	#3
PerryinCA Guest Posts: n/a	I would recommend highly polished aluminum. I don't think there is a problem with it. Thats what the spiderlights and reeflectors are made out of. -Perry

01-20-2001, 08:29 PM	#4
REAL BIG FISH Guest Posts: n/a	Polished aluminum worked the beas for mee and it's easy to work with! Jamey[img]/ubb/biggrin.gif[/img] ------------------ "If at first you don't succeed, well so much for skydiving" Check out my reef at REAL BIG FISH'S REEF

01-21-2001, 04:22 AM	#5
Ltspd Guest Posts: n/a	Polished to the point of a mirror surface? I havnet ever seen the spider light reflector except in a picture which is hard to tell how shiny the shiny is. Thanks ------------------ ------------------------ Paul C The important thing is not to stop questioning. Einstein

01-21-2001, 04:56 AM	#6
PerryinCA Guest Posts: n/a	Yea, its like a mirror. Its spectral aluminum so it has like a 98% reflectiviy when new. I don't really believe in the need for dulled, or dimpled reflection, unless you are trying to diffuse the light. But I think you want to return all the light you can. -Perry

01-21-2001, 04:55 PM	#7
JamesB Guest Posts: n/a	After several tries with all sorts of stuff (glass mirrors, mirrored lexan, etc.), spectral aluminum is the clear winner! I got it cut to fit from http://www.aquatictech.com/lighting.html Later, James

01-21-2001, 04:59 PM	#8
Ltspd Guest Posts: n/a	Thanks James. I am not sure I can get highly polished stuff from the steel companies I do business with. I would say its not a standard item. I will keep this one book marked. ------------------ ------------------------ Paul C The important thing is not to stop questioning. Einstein

01-21-2001, 05:24 PM	#9
7Seas Guest Posts: n/a	James~ What problem did you run into using the glass mirrors?

01-21-2001, 05:29 PM	#10
JamesB Guest Posts: n/a	Unless you're successful at completely sealing the mirror, the salt creep will corrode the reflective surface on the back of the glass. Later, James.

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