Material for T5 light fixture.

[daveverdo]

I want to make a light fixure for my 90g. I have most of the parts from an older DIY canopy.

I want to make the fixture out of plastic and was wondering if anyone has suggestions for which type would be good.

Most that I have seen will handle temps over 150F.

Polypropylene - easy to work with, hard to glue temps to 210F
Polyethylene - easy to work with, hard to glue temps to 140F
PVC - easy to work, eaqsy to glue, temps to 160F, expensive
Acrylic - easy to work, easy to glue, temps to 200F, cheap

Seems like acrylic is the obvious choice. Just checking to see if anyone has used this in a DIY light project.

Dave

[BeanAnimal]

Is there a reason that you wish to use plastic instead of wood or metal? Getting a fabricated plastic box to look good is kind of hard!

What about painted (or anodized) aluminum extrusions with plastic panels?

[daveverdo]

Is there a reason that you wish to use plastic instead of wood or metal? Getting a fabricated plastic box to look good is kind of hard!

1) to try something different, I remember reading a thread where someone used 6" pvc pipe split down the middle. 6" wide x 3" high. They cut it after 2 end caps were in place then painted it black. Didn't look half bad. Looked kinda like the Current outer orbit.

2) I really want to make a light weight, self contained unit that I can easily use with a wood canopy that I am making to match the stand. The idea is to have something like a store bought fixture inside the wood canopy. Appearance isn't as critical as function.

Didn't think of anodized aluminum.

Dave

[BeanAnimal]

Why not just square aluminum tubing to build an H shaped rack to hold the T5 endcaps. The SLR reflectors clip onto the bulbs. Easy and cheap. It can stand alone with legs until you build the hood that you will mount it to.

[daveverdo]

I just figured acrylic would be cheaper and easier.

Have any specific suggestions where to get aluminum besides the big box stores.

Dave

[BeanAnimal]

it is as cheap there as anywhere else. 1 Main bar, 2 perpendicular end bars and 2 bolts is about all you need