DIY Lights Using PVC Pipes

[amteo]

I was surfing the net and came across this site,

http://www.reefrancher.com/diy/halfpipe/

The author used half a big PVC pipe as a casing for a MH lamp. I would like to ask our DIY gurus if the PVC can 'tahan' the heat in the long run (6hrs - 8hrs a day)? Anyone has data on MH operating temperature and melting point of the PVC duct?

If it can, this would be a very neat casing to use, as can be see from the end product.

What do you guys think?

[Eric]

I was surfing the net and came across this site,

http://www.reefrancher.com/diy/halfpipe/

The author used half a big PVC pipe as a casing for a MH lamp.  I would like to ask our DIY gurus if the PVC can 'tahan' the heat in the long run (6hrs - 8hrs a day)?  Anyone has data on MH operating temperature and melting point of the PVC duct?

If it can, this would be a very neat casing to use, as can be see from the end product.

What do you guys think?

My PVC ball valve is about 4" away from my 250W 20K MH and within 5mins can feel the ball valve handle turning soft........maybe with the help of a metallic reflector, the pin point heat source is diverted........without the reflector, comfirm the PVC will melt..........

Just to share my experiences........I once install my 2 x 250W MH directly on my hood with aluminium stickers covered almost all over the hood.........few hrs later, there were burning smell and smoke coming from the hood, the MH light has burn on the areas where its not covered with aluminium, even those aluminium sticker turn blackish in colour..........after which I nail aluminium reflectors above the MH, the reflectors act as a heat shield more than reflecting lights into the tank. Oh ya.....also dont ever use normal glass to prevent water splashes onto the MH, the MH light will heat up the glass till it crack and shattered into the tank.........lost a few corals becos of that stupidity.

Eric

Eric

[ervine]

I'm pretty sure PVC can't take the heat.... I've seen someone put a piece of PVC 1" away from a DE bulb to heat it warm enough to mould it... which means it's pretty darn hot...

[jesperlam]

Last time did a hole thru a PVC piping coz no handdrill. I use a screwdriver and heat it up on a stove, while red-hot poke the pointed end thru the pvc piping. Think that tells the whole story...

[ryz]

yep... PVC very easy to melt leh... not very hot also melt...

[amteo]

I hear what you guys are saying and my initial thoughts are also similar - the PVC cannot take the heat and will melt. But... the article is proof that it can be done (assuming that it is not bogus ).

Can the reflector act as a heat shield to take heat away from the PVC? or is he using a PVC that can take the heat? or...