DIY Lumenarc Kits

[jh2pizza]

Well, if you are oinsetting it in the wall like mine where the tank glass is totaly flush with the drywall, you depth will be 4.5" less. This will have a huge impact on the size. Also if you are planning any supplimental such as vho or t5, that will be another issue.

[amstar]

wow good points. yes it will be flush with the drywall.

I would want to put vho actinic lighting on the front and back of the tank.

[derek4real]

Very interested in this, I am about to do this soon hopefully.

Questions:

How high are you mounting these from the surface of the water?

What did you change your Photo-period to when introducing this to your corals?

I was thinking after doing this small DIY project, changing my MH to 2 hrs with a 3 hr break in between (1hr ON, 3hr break, 1hr ON) for the 1st week and bump it up an hour each week until i hit my original photo-period.

Any suggestions?

[mfinn]

Originally posted by derek4real
Very interested in this, I am about to do this soon hopefully.

Questions:

How high are you mounting these from the surface of the water?

What did you change your Photo-period to when introducing this to your corals?

I was thinking after doing this small DIY project, changing my MH to 2 hrs with a 3 hr break in between (1hr ON, 3hr break, 1hr ON) for the 1st week and bump it up an hour each week until i hit my original photo-period.

Any suggestions?

Sounds like a pain.
Switching lights on and off, on and off, etc.
Why not leave the lights on for the full period, but shade the tank with 3-4 layers of window screen material. I like to support the window screen material with eggcrate.
Then every 4 days or so take off one layer of window screen till all gone.

[runningstix]

not necessarily if you have a timer that will do that. The timer I have on my lights will do 24 on/off per day or I can set it to only do it for 1 day of the week and leave the rest normal and so on

[mfinn]

A timer will work, true, I've been using timers for my lights for many years. But having your tank lights off much of the time doesn't seem like it's very enjoyable.

Whatever, each to his own.

[derek4real]

Originally posted by mfinn
Sounds like a pain.
Switching lights on and off, on and off, etc.
Why not leave the lights on for the full period, but shade the tank with 3-4 layers of window screen material. I like to support the window screen material with eggcrate.
Then every 4 days or so take off one layer of window screen till all gone.

I have a AquaController and program easily.

^^^Still would like to know how you guys did this (couple posts up)

[new2sw776784]

I am also curios to know the answers to derek4real's question.

[Milez803]

pretty sure someone said it before..but what is what is the material call. and do they have it at home depot.. i plan to make one for my tank, but for 48 in long and 30 width..i'm debating if i should make one reflector or just 2..to spread through the tank?

[Joshua618]

It is called a skylight extension and its made by ODL. Search for "skylight extension" at Home Depot

[derek4real]

Originally posted by new2sw776784
I am also curios to know the answers to derek4real's question.

tick...tock...tick...tock...

I have plans of taking this DIY to the extreme. I am thinking of doing a DIY Lumenarc that will house 2 Moguls instead of one. Similar to this one.



After building this want to add T-5s, kind of like this.



The above with the dual MH lumenarc.

Whata you think?

[ReefEnabler]

I think its a cool idea..... but man you better have some good fans blowing on that pendant if its going to have TWO MH bulbs and then T5s in it...... but that will be a ton of light!

[GreenReefer77]

Anybody already making a DIY for them self that would be open to making a couple more for me?

[ReefEnabler]

probably a better question for the selling and trading forum but Im not sure.... i think even "making something for somebody" would fall under sale of goods since it involves money and labor..... unless you find somebody who will do it for free

[GreenReefer77]

k, I haven't seen anybody selling one so I thought I'd ask here incase someone had some extra material, but I didn't think about using the WTB section. sorry I'm kind of new here.

[derek4real]

if your willing to pay shipping, in exchange for some exotic corals i might be interested in making a one for you.

PM me me and we can make arrangements

[runningstix]

Originally posted by derek4real
if your willing to pay shipping, in exchange for some exotic corals i might be interested in making a one for you.

PM me me and we can make arrangements

Id be very careful doing this for anyone beside yourself. Lumenarc is serving lawsuits left and right for patent infringement.

[derek4real]

note taken. I withdraw my offer, for legal matters.

[1234]

Any one with a scaled drawing of the 18" version, can I get a copy. And no I don't want to go to Kinkos, I can print it on my home printer.





TIA

[winland]

What tool or device is used to make the slight bends on the edges of the reflective material?

Thanks,
winland

[hyperfocal]

A sheet-metal brake

[winland]

Originally posted by hyperfocal
A sheet-metal brake

Anything smaller, less expensive, or something that the average guy might be able to have & use?

winland

[hllywd]

Chuck, Look up DIY brake ideas, you can build a usable garage model for fairly cheap, or there are sheet metal hand tools you could get by with. Some places that rent brakes will allow on-site minimal use. The reflector would probably qualify as more than minimal uless you're really fast and know what you're doing....

Tim

[biecacka]

i too would be interested in purchasing a few of these from someone who has a few "extra" ones around.
pm me if you have some

[biecacka]

hllywd- where in ohio are you?