Polycarbonate (Plexiglass) + Homemade Cooltube

sccerfrk26

Member
I am looking to retro fit my reflector into a closed unit. I can get polycarbonate fairly cheaply but was wondering how it would negatively affect the lumens that are coming off my 400W MH. Is glass better??
 

NOWitall

Active Member
well i dont know about lumen wise.

but i know that generally speaking polycarbonates that can resist those temperatures arent very flexible.

most plexiglass isnt even uv resistant and begins discoloration within a few years.

and most wont take anywhere near the temperatures of a 400mh
 
i gotta agree with pilgram you can pickup Hurricane Lamps at Michaels crafts even here in canada that doesnt get hurricanes =p my only issue with them is it is nearly impossible to find a 5" flexable ducting here but if you can id say that it would be your best way to diy
 

zem

Well-Known Member
I am looking to retro fit my reflector into a closed unit. I can get polycarbonate fairly cheaply but was wondering how it would negatively affect the lumens that are coming off my 400W MH. Is glass better??
i'm curious, how cheap can you get plexiglass? i've worked with this stuff used it to make a tray broke after a year or so lol i wouldn't use it right under the light
 

ziggy39

Member
go with the bake a round off ebay man i just ordered mine so i can turn my two 150 watt hps enclosed ballast to a duel 150 watt cool tube external ballasted. i got the rest of the shit to make it i just need the bake around they seem to work good their made to be put in an oven
 

Tyler D.

Member
I'm pretty sure NOWitall is right. I work with poly and I would bet that within 5 hours the following would happen: shit will start to melt and soften then pull apart, then fail all together swining the bulb against your grow wall or your plants. Using poly is a very poor choice if you can get glass for relatively the same cost.
 
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