DIY UVB hood - can the aluminum foil be touching the bulb?

[Derobmi]

I just made a UVB hood out of cardboard and aluminum foil. I would like to have it in between the bulb and the fixture, but I'm not sure that won't make it explode or something.

1. If aluminum foil were touching the copper edges (at either end) of the reptisun bulb, will that do anything bad?

2. If the aluminum foil is touching the bulb itself, will that cause a problem?

I currently have the hood on the outside of the fixture, but I think I'd gain a lot more light doing it the other way. I don't know anything about electricity except to always be super careful since I don't know anything about it.

Thanks!

 

[makaveli]

Hi

If I were you i wouldn't risk it, Arcadia in the UK do a reflector for tube bulbs, must be something similar in the US? Probably worth spending a few quid/dollars as opposed to tin foil?

 

[Derobmi]

Hi

If I were you i wouldn't risk it, Arcadia in the UK do a reflector for tube bulbs, must be something similar in the US? Probably worth spending a few quid/dollars as opposed to tin foil?

Thanks! I've had it over the outside of the fixture, taking the less risky option. I wasn't sure if nobody was answering because it was a really stupid question or a really difficult one. I agree that it is always worth spending some money and getting the best for your lizard, but I'm tapped out after buying a bunch of new bulbs and health supplements in the last few months. I'll have to look around and see what I can find and upgrade when I can. I believe that a UVB hood is not a high priority item, please correct me if I'm wrong about that!

I appreciate your help!

 

[makaveli]

Hi,

As long as your beardy can get within about 6-10 inches i wouldn't say a reflector is absolutely essential, the arcadia reflector is this one

Do you have a wooden or glass tank?

 

[Derobmi]

Oh, that reflector is cool. I didn't know such a thing existed! Living in the US, it is not readily available except from one website whose shipping cost was prohibitive. I found someone selling them on ebay for a good price, but not the size I need. I wouldn't want to get a 36 inch and cut it down to 24 inches because that wouldn't work, right? Those look like they attach to the bulb with a plastic clip. Polished aluminum... I wonder if one can find that at a DIY store and if it is very bendable.

Well, if I can't figure out how to clone it, then I'll have to buy it. Thanks for introducing me to this product!

I've got one beardie in a 40 gallon glass tank, and the other is in a 4x2x2 foot with 3 wooden walls and one glass wall. I currently have the 40 gallon UVB resting on top of the screen. I'm going to attach it to the inside of the screen, but I still need to measure and double check everything. The other cage has the UVB hanging from a bar across the top, no screen.

Also, it looks like that reflector stays away from touching the bulb with any metal bits, which supports the theory that metal shouldn't be touching the bulb, but plastic can.

 

[BrickBonesteel]

Im not sure what your fixture is made of, mine is of aluminium and if you have something like that i don't see what the problem could be if you were to get another piece of it and bend it to the proper shape and mount it to your fixture use a few self tapping screws Just make sure not to hit any of the electrical components and you should be fine.

 

[Derobmi]

Im not sure what your fixture is made of, mine is of aluminium and if you have something like that i don't see what the problem could be if you were to get another piece of it and bend it to the proper shape and mount it to your fixture use a few self tapping screws Just make sure not to hit any of the electrical components and you should be fine.

My fixtures are made of plastic and the space between the bulb and the fixture is pretty small. However, I'm certain that a sheet of the aluminum could fit because I found a picture someone posted of the arcadia reflector on the same fixture I have. I'm not familiar with self-tapping screws, but I've found zip ties to be very useful. I'll check them out when I'm looking for the aluminum. Thanks for your advice!

 

[BrickBonesteel]

Im not sure what your fixture is made of, mine is of aluminium and if you have something like that i don't see what the problem could be if you were to get another piece of it and bend it to the proper shape and mount it to your fixture use a few self tapping screws Just make sure not to hit any of the electrical components and you should be fine.

My fixtures are made of plastic and the space between the bulb and the fixture is pretty small. However, I'm certain that a sheet of the aluminum could fit because I found a picture someone posted of the arcadia reflector on the same fixture I have. I'm not familiar with self-tapping screws, but I've found zip ties to be very useful. I'll check them out when I'm looking for the aluminum. Thanks for your advice!

Self tapping screws are just as they sound, its a screw that has a tiny drill bit on the bottom allowing it make its own clean holes. They should work just fine in plastic. an aluminium sheet shouldn't be to expensive. ill make one for mine and post a DIY for it when my ViV is completed. best of luck

 

[Derobmi]

Self tapping screws are just as they sound, its a screw that has a tiny drill bit on the bottom allowing it make its own clean holes. They should work just fine in plastic. an aluminium sheet shouldn't be to expensive. ill make one for mine and post a DIY for it when my ViV is completed. best of luck

Thanks, I'll keep an eye out for your post