hoppycalif

So, after thinking about this for a day, and thinking about those beautiful mylar reflector sheets, I went ahead and installed the mylar. I used 3M Super 77 spray adhesive, sprayed on the aluminum reflector surfaces, then just pressed on the mylar. The easiest part of this modification. Here is what it looks like now with the lights on. (Note that one bulb is defective.)


Looking at the light from the ends, to see how much gets reflected back to the ends of the tank:


And looking to see how much gets reflected towards the area in between the bulbs.


If this holds up well, and if I can get a bulb that isn't defective for the second socket, this seems like a real winner for increasing the light intensity for a 10 gallon tank. The parts cost about $15, not counting the bulbs, which cost $12.

hoppycalif

To see the finished hood, lighting up the tank, go to: http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/f...tml#post337735

hoppycalif

This light does a good job covering the entire substrate with light, probably high light intensity. Because the water is cloudy from dust in the substrate you can see the light pattern looking from the end of the tank:

SimplyOrange

very nice.
im in the process of adding 2-4 more 24" t8's to a hood w/1 t8.
do you think 60w over a 30g is good enough or a 80-100 is perfect?
i'll see how easy ripping out and installing the t8's are from a commercial light fixture.
it's about $15 cheaper for two t8's than going with something from an LFS.

where did you get the mylar?
i know TapsPlastic has some.

hoppycalif

PM sent.

I think 60 watts of T8 on a 30 gallon tank, if you put a reflector behind each bulb shaped to capture most of the light from the back of the bulb and direct it into the tank, will be close to high light intensity. And, 80 would definitely be.

SimplyOrange

thanks

i'll checkout what homedepot has in stock for the lights.

dekstr

Wow I had a lighting canopy that was exactly the same, except in a 20 high version.
Man... if only I had learned about what you did before I did wrecked mine.

Good job! Really helpful and informative. Now I know what should be done the next time.

voiceofid

the perfecto i picked up at petsmart now uses pc lights with reflectors, 2 13watts to be precise.. strange

hoppycalif

If the reflectors are good ones, that lighting should be adequate for most plants. Apparently there are several versions of the Perfecto hood. The one I have was brand new, but I bought it through Craigslist from a lady who had not set up the tank, and decided to get rid of it instead. She may have had it for months if not years.

schaadrak

Try jeweler's rouge. That's what I use for polishing CD's.

Also, don't you have a rotary tool? I've found that those polish much faster than the drill buffers. Even on larger surfaces.