Polycarbonate (Plexiglass) + Homemade Cooltube

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??

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 would suggest a hurricane glass $2, over the plastic

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

Hurricane Lamps look pretty cool. I've been digging around looking for a Bake-a-round at local good wills, but they sell them online. Pretty cool for making a cool tube. Not sure if it would fit the 400.

http://www.pyrexlove.com/pyrex-bake-a-round/glassware/

sccerfrk26 said:

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??

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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

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

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.