the Ultimate Reflector
- Thread starter Shcrews
- Start date
I just mounted my batwing reflector to the cooltube . it fit perfectly between the 2 eye hooks on top of the cooltube . a couple of flat washers & its held tight in place .
i'll get a pic of it later for ya when the lights come on .
i'll get a pic of it later for ya when the lights come on .
sickwithis
New member
what better ajust-a-wing or hood reflector for the most light out put for 4x8 space?
budleydoright
Member
actually the melonhead is just a cheap chinese hood. Much of the reflected light has to pas through the glass more than once. A well made hood with a single sheet of glass is a better design.
never did it. sounds good tho . i have 2 cooltubes . one has internal and external reflector and the other just external. shouldnt be hard to do what your thinking
budleydoright
Member
These are 6"... I'd like to try an 8" next time... the 6's are a bit short in length, which I felt had a bit of reducing effect on both ends... could use a longer piece of glass.
Basically just need a unibit to tap two holes in the AAW itself... can use the prefab holes in the CT, no prob. Did that after the AAW was assembled... long bolt w an eye at one end... easy as pie.
You do need to use the supplied socket w the CT, unless you are willing to grind out two slits in the CT rim to fit the AAW socket, which is cool to be able to micro adjust.
Basically just need a unibit to tap two holes in the AAW itself... can use the prefab holes in the CT, no prob. Did that after the AAW was assembled... long bolt w an eye at one end... easy as pie.
You do need to use the supplied socket w the CT, unless you are willing to grind out two slits in the CT rim to fit the AAW socket, which is cool to be able to micro adjust.
fuzzymuffin
Active member
What about going vertical with the light? Is it a matter of space?
edit
T
thefatman
What?!?!
These are 6"... I'd like to try an 8" next time... the 6's are a bit short in length, which I felt had a bit of reducing effect on both ends... could use a longer piece of glass.
Basically just need a unibit to tap two holes in the AAW itself... can use the prefab holes in the CT, no prob. Did that after the AAW was assembled... long bolt w an eye at one end... easy as pie.
You do need to use the supplied socket w the CT, unless you are willing to grind out two slits in the CT rim to fit the AAW socket, which is cool to be able to micro adjust.
THANK YOU that is exactly what i was looking for!
i already ahve the cooltubes and a couple Adjustawings, just needed to see it done
I actually didn't think about the length of the glass in the cooltube.... obviously would trap a little light but the question is, is an Adjustawing with a cooltube still better than a standard reflector? I wish i had the equipment to test it.
I've owned/used adjustawings before, and they reflect more light without the cooltubes but i'm not sure if i can run very many lights without aircooling them, since i have no AC.
i am torn between adjustawing/cooltubes, or just regular air cooled hoods like Radiant 8's or something.
supposedly the large adjustawing has the best reflective spread of any reflector on the market,
as far as i know this has been tested and confirmed, but i forget who did the tests. maybe Jorge Cervantes? probably somebody on ICmag has the data as well...
in my experience, the large AAW is the best reflector as far as heat dispersion and canopy coverage... you can get them really close to the buds and the heat is pushed off to the sides. unfortunatlely they don't come air-cooled so ambient temperatures will rise to extremes if no cooling system is used.
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The driving reason for me to adapt them was wanting to run MH in there & I just felt a little uncomfortable w/o some shielding... not only safety but clean up should something fail. It gave me the option to air cool, which I ended up doing.
Think you lose appx 2% per reflective surface if I recall properly... overall, not a big deal for any loss in lumens.
I do notice a 'dark' spot in the middle when using these, and two 'hot' spots on either side... almost prefers a 6' wide cast... and w the short tubes, it 'felt' like 3' in width was 'best'. I didn't bother measuring with a PAR meter... lazy.
T
thefatman
Sorry guys but the reef aquarium guys have already tested all the supposedly best reflectors and the parabolic arc type reflectors such as the adjustawings are definitely not the best nor are the Hydrotek hoods.
Check out the testing results and more................
Part 1
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2003/3/aafeature
Part 2 (this Part really does not apply as the reflectors are for double ended tubes)
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2003/7/aafeature
Part 3
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2003/3/aafeature
Best testing data:
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2009/1/review
The adjustawings are really just representations of parabolic reflectors. Parabolic reflectors are old school. They have a single focus point that varies in relation to the with and depth of the reflector.
The best reflectors at this time are the multifaceted reflectors such as Lumenarc (http://lumenarclighting.com/r1.htm), Lumenmax 3 (http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/group/7594/product.web) and Lumen Bright 3 (http://www.aquacave.com/lumen-bright-3-mogul-brbase-reflector-by-coralvue-1167.html)
Photos of a home made faceted reflector.
http://public.fotki.com/DimonHell/diy-lumenbrite-refl/
Video on how to make a Lumenarc reflector:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HU0EyqZ1IdE
I have a cutting pattern for the Lumenarc reflector shown in the video. As far as I know all patterns for reflectors of this type and been janked from all internet sites. I can email by attachment a copy of the pattern with the dimension included to make a 14" reflector. It can be up scaled for larger reflector sizes. The ideal premade size for use with cool tubes, either water or air is 19" . Preferably only the glass portion of a cool tube should be inside the reflector.
The cost to make one of the above type reflectors run from $40 to $60 each, depending on the size.
The reflective metal used is available here:
http://www.specialty-lights.com/reflective-sun-sheets.htm
here:
http://www.igrowhydro.com/Sun-Sheets-2x4.aspx
here:
http://www.horticulturesource.com/product_info.php?products_id=1134
Or in larger sheets from the manufacturer (Anomet):
http://www.anomet.com/
Anomet selection descriptions:
http://www.anomet.com/reflective_products.html
Parabolic reflector design program: i.e. the focus is the point where the center of the horizontal tube should be located
http://mscir.tripod.com/parabola/
The cost to make one of the above type lights run from $40 to $60 depending on the size.
Check out the testing results and more................
Part 1
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2003/3/aafeature
Part 2 (this Part really does not apply as the reflectors are for double ended tubes)
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2003/7/aafeature
Part 3
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2003/3/aafeature
Best testing data:
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2009/1/review
The adjustawings are really just representations of parabolic reflectors. Parabolic reflectors are old school. They have a single focus point that varies in relation to the with and depth of the reflector.
The best reflectors at this time are the multifaceted reflectors such as Lumenarc (http://lumenarclighting.com/r1.htm), Lumenmax 3 (http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/group/7594/product.web) and Lumen Bright 3 (http://www.aquacave.com/lumen-bright-3-mogul-brbase-reflector-by-coralvue-1167.html)
Photos of a home made faceted reflector.
http://public.fotki.com/DimonHell/diy-lumenbrite-refl/
Video on how to make a Lumenarc reflector:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HU0EyqZ1IdE
I have a cutting pattern for the Lumenarc reflector shown in the video. As far as I know all patterns for reflectors of this type and been janked from all internet sites. I can email by attachment a copy of the pattern with the dimension included to make a 14" reflector. It can be up scaled for larger reflector sizes. The ideal premade size for use with cool tubes, either water or air is 19" . Preferably only the glass portion of a cool tube should be inside the reflector.
The cost to make one of the above type reflectors run from $40 to $60 each, depending on the size.
The reflective metal used is available here:
http://www.specialty-lights.com/reflective-sun-sheets.htm
here:
http://www.igrowhydro.com/Sun-Sheets-2x4.aspx
here:
http://www.horticulturesource.com/product_info.php?products_id=1134
Or in larger sheets from the manufacturer (Anomet):
http://www.anomet.com/
Anomet selection descriptions:
http://www.anomet.com/reflective_products.html
Parabolic reflector design program: i.e. the focus is the point where the center of the horizontal tube should be located
http://mscir.tripod.com/parabola/
The cost to make one of the above type lights run from $40 to $60 depending on the size.
