home made reflectors

[C-Dog]

hey guys,
I want to try and use home made t5 reflectors rather than buying some just to try so i was wondering what the best way to do it for the best outcome?
Other than real reflectorrs that is

thanks,
Corey

[bitterman]

One of the easiest shapes you can make that will work well is a Parabolic reflector.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parabolic_reflector

If you refure to the wikipedia page point f is were the bulb woudl be placed.

Bruce

[C-Dog]

thanks! the theory behind it looks pretty simple but i think its going to be hard to do lol

[ray]

The parabolic reflector is ok,but still not nearly as effective as the Tek,Ice cap or similar reflectors,which have multiple bends.These reflectors diminish restrike and are up to 300% better,which is particularly important if you are planning on using  HO T5's for a reef tank.

[Hookup]

Not sure, but I don't think that the Ice Cap reflector is that expensive, it's what I use...  And I would not know where to begin in trying to get that parabloic shape thingy figured out...

[C-Dog]

yea, i guess i'll just buy em lol way easier and better lol
thanks guys

[Saltcreep]

Not sure, but I don't think that the Ice Cap reflector is that expensive, it's what I use...  And I would not know where to begin in trying to get that parabloic shape thingy figured out...

It is actually quite simple to draw a parabolic shape. Start with a "V" shape on paper or cardboard. Now mark off each ray of the V into, say, half-inch increments. For argument sake, let's assume you have ten marks on each side and let's label them from 1 to 10 starting at the point of the V on one side and from 10 to 1 on the other side, also starting from the point. Now, draw a line from 1 on one side to the 10 mark on the other side. Then from 2 to 9, and 3 to 8 and so on. When you've drawn all 10 lines, you will see an almost-perfect parabola on your template. Just cut your shape out of plywood or something and use that template to bend your reflector.

And back to the original question - If you want something a little lower tech, try using aluminum dryer venting. It polishes up very nicely with #0000 steel wool, is easy to bend into shape and very inexpensive

[Hookup]

Smart!  I like the method for scribing the shape... 

[CrazyFish]

http://vzone.virgin.net/ljmayes.mal/var/parabola.htm

I went looking for a more detailed explaination and found the above site.