Custom canopy light mounting

[jbpig]

I have recently ordered 4 6' VHO bulbs and 2 ice cap ballast and I am having a custom made canopy for my new 150g. here is my question: since the bulbs have internal reflectors do i need to add a reflector to the top of my canopy or can i just paint it white? I have seen others who have just mounted the bulbs to the top underside of the canopy and was wondering if this is the correct way I should do it. Any help would be appriciated

TIA
Joe

 

[jbpig]

^^

 

[SPC]

Joe, I just mount mine without a reflector, I use URI with internal reflectors also.
Steve

 

[vp39]

It would really depend on the color of the inside of canopy. If dark then use reflectors. If you are going to paint it get an epoxy type of paint.
Glenn

 

[-JB]

Just paint the inside gloss white.

 

[Fish Head]

jbpig
You nead to seal your new hood with varathane or something, in side and out. Because of salt creap, wood swell, and worping. At least 2 coats on the out side and 3 on the in side. If you want it done right do it your self.

Yes you nead a reflector. You pay a lot of $ for reef light and you want to get all that you can out of it. I uase Aluminum foil, you know the shiny side.
Buy 3M 77 spray glue not the cheapr stuf. You can get a $5.00 can at Wall-Mart. Take a 3n peice of Aluminum foil spray the dull side of the A. foil lghtly, very lghtiy and put it in the corner so it's on bolth sides a ruler helps with getting it in the corner. Then rub the small rinkles down. Do all the corners first then the sides with larger peices make them over lap about 1n. larger peices are harder to work with so do it in sections. Tirm the over hang with a knife after its in. Then the top. It's easy. My whife thought it was fun and took over. It brobably wont take much more than a hour for your hood. I just built a caopy for my 37g tank for 175w MH. I put Aluminum foil in first then the Aluminum reflector for the MH. When I took a hand mirror and held it in side the hood I could not make a brite spot!

It's cheep and easy!