eggcrate; how heat resistant?

[jwtrojan44]

I'm looking to upgrade my lighting. My lfs has begun carrying PC strip lights. The size I'm looking at is a 24. inch strip with a total of 110 watts. I'd like to use eggcrate to cover my tank and place the lighting over the top of this. I have some potential jumpers so tha't why the eggcrate. First dumb question; Went to Home Depot and in the lighting section they sell what I think I need. It's a thin, clear plastic sheet used as the "lens" material for recessed lighting. It is solid but has the little raised dimples on it making it look like, well..eggcrate! Is this what I need? Also, how much heat can this stuff withstand. Would the lighting I suggest melt this stuff or is it pretty heat resistant. Thanks for any suggestions JWT.

[Aquariust]

and will it block light?

[jwtrojan44]

And one more ? If I added a second pc strip (total 220 watts) what impact would/could this have? Is anyone else using different material that their light strip rest directly on? Thanks! JWT

[billzie]

No, the stuff you want is white plastic, about 3/8" thick, and has open grids (square spaces) of about 1/2". HD, Lowes, Menard's all carry it. It is also available in a mirror applied finish, don't get this stuff the mirror flakes off. In my area it is cheaper at Menards than at HD.

Be carefull with it as it will bend with the weight and temp. If supported all around if you cut it to fit it should not be a problem. I used it this way over some totes to cure LR, I used 2 LOA 65w lights on each one and the eggcrate bowed about 2 " in the center, but didn't break.

Bill.

[jwtrojan44]

Thanks, Bill. I knew what I'd seen proabably wasn't the right stuff. What department would I find it in.It wasn't in lighting. Thanks. JWT

[mastaJ]

Originally posted by jwtrojan44
What department would I find it in.It wasn't in lighting. Thanks. JWT

I believe that is because it isn't made for lighting, (i'm not sure but...) I think it is used for heating ducts/ceiling materials...HTH

[Aquariust]

Just be aware, plastic eggcrate becomes brittle after being exposed to flourescent light for that long. My recommendation would be to have the lights at least 2-3" over the eggcrate.

In commercial office buildings where I work, the plastic straps that hold the bulbs in became so brittle they were just letting go When I checked them, I could squeeze the plastic and it would disintegrate in my hand.

Let us know how long the eggcrate has been in operation, and how much light does it reduce?

[PerryinCA]

The eggcrate, while making the spread of the light smaller (not much of a problem for flourescents, but can be for MH), actually focuses light downward to give brighter appance. I believe an article on that subject can be found at aquarium frontiers, which is accessable...

http://www.reefs.org/library/aquariu...ers/index.html

-Perry