Plexi sheet for cool tube?

[dec]

I will be converting my cfl PC grow into 70w hps and I am wondering if it is safe to use a plexi glass sheet to divide the light chamber and grow chamber as a cool tube would.(the bulb would not be touching the plexi and 2 pc fans,one on each side would blow through the 'cool tube')

It would be alot easier use plexi glass but I'm afraid that it can melt as it probably still gets hot even if well ventilated.

 

[socialist]

I don't know how hot a 70w gets but you could always do a test run in a separate room where you could monitor it. There might be some light refraction issues with plexi as well.

 

[InDosia]

Plexiglas has warped over time on a few occasions for me. What about a glass tube, they sell like 4" cylinders made to go around candles at michaels or joanns.

 

[dec]

InDosia: so 70w is too hot for plexiglass,or were you using bigger wattage?

I could use the glass tube but just haven't got any ideas on how to secure it on top,thats why I'm thinking of the plexiglass which would just have to tightly fit in there and thats it.

 

[InDosia]

Plexi has a melting point of 260F so you should be good exhausting through the light.

 

[dec]

Thanks!

 

[nsaneone]

I've found that pasta express tubes work great. They are designed to take the heat of boiling water, so they work great for small HPS bulbs. They are roughly 4" in diameter, which works well for most ventilation systems for small grows. I use them myself. The real upshot is that you can cut and drill them til your hearts content. Look for them at thrift stores. Around here, they are everywhere.

Example:
http://www.amazon.com/Tristar-Pasta-Express-22As-TV-22/dp/B000F8KV2Y

 

[KiefSweat]

depends on what type of acrylic you are using

G-stock would probably be great.

 

[whatsupdoc]

I've found that pasta express tubes work great. They are designed to take the heat of boiling water, so they work great for small HPS bulbs. They are roughly 4" in diameter, which works well for most ventilation systems for small grows. I use them myself. The real upshot is that you can cut and drill them til your hearts content. Look for them at thrift stores. Around here, they are everywhere.

Example:
http://www.amazon.com/Tristar-Pasta-Express-22As-TV-22/dp/B000F8KV2Y

Very nice find! Thanks.

 

[McGuyver'sDick]

Whats wrong with real glass? Much cheaper.

 

[MMJcali]

theres a diy tek on here that outlines step by step how to build and mount a cooltube from a pyrex bake a round. I did it in about an hour, has been working with my 150HPS for a year now

 

[stihgnobevoli]

i used a plexiglass shield for my cab with 70w hps at a point in the past. works fine, keep the bulb from touching the plexiglass or it will eventually melt into it. careful when drilling your holes. drill through tape at a low speed or it will crack.

 

[k33ftr33z]

You should be looking for polycarbonate not plexiglass or acrylic. Polycarbonate has a much higher melting point, is shatterproof, and better spectral qualities. It is more expensive, but it is the correct material for this application. Tempered glass is also an option although heavy and must be custom ordered to size. You can also get polycarbonate tubes.

 

[phr0st]

I use plexi to separate my light chamber from the rest of my box. I have about 240w's of cfls behind it.

 

[McGuyver'sDick]

You should be looking for polycarbonate not plexiglass or acrylic. Polycarbonate has a much higher melting point, is shatterproof, and better spectral qualities. It is more expensive, but it is the correct material for this application. Tempered glass is also an option although heavy and must be custom ordered to size. You can also get polycarbonate tubes.

Polycarbonate is sold under the Lexan brand name. Other benefits include easy to drill, can easily bent within reason, and can be cut to nearly any shape with a jigsaw. This is what most eyeglasses are made from.

 

[foaf]

4 lbs from a tree grown in here with acrylic tubes, for cfl, acrylic is fine, for HID, I wouldn't use plastic at all.