Any DIY LED diffuser ideas?

Smite

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#1
Ive been thinking of making a floating canopy for my g3 pros. I dont want to buy diffusers for all 4 so ive been wondering if anyone has made thier own somehow? Ideally it would be a 2x4 acrylic sheet i could slide into notched rails in the canopy. Same way a t5 shield works.

So far ive been thinking of an acrylic sheet that i vinyl wrap/spray frosted. More than likely just a strip across where the leds are leaving the sides clear for t5s supplement down the road.
Hoping to blend colors better as well as help with light spillage into the room. Possibly mute the hum of the fans as well.

Anyome try something similar or want to shoot some ideas my way?
 

Capital J

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#2
Not sure if they sell them anymore, but I've seen pictures of people using the old "cracked ice" acrylic light shields as diffusers. Do you know what I'm referring to? They used to run them over light bars in kitchens, etc. If Home Depot still sells them, you wouldn't need to modify it any further.
 
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#3
Per Ryan at BRS, there is no comparison on light output between the Radion light diffusers and DIY options. If I were you I would just get the ones made for the light. It's not just a piece of diffuser material.
 

Smite

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Not sure if they sell them anymore, but I've seen pictures of people using the old "cracked ice" acrylic light shields as diffusers. Do you know what I'm referring to? They used to run them over light bars in kitchens, etc. If Home Depot still sells them, you wouldn't need to modify it any further.
Thats ehat i was thinking of at first but im worried it would kill a little too much par. Looking at the radion diffusers they seem to have a very light diffusion to them.

Per Ryan at BRS, there is no comparison on light output between the Radion light diffusers and DIY options. If I were you I would just get the ones made for the light. It's not just a piece of diffuser material.
I wonder what else is really involved in it then? Was this a conversation you had or a article/video i could watch?

Thanks for your input guys.
 
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With what leds? Did you apply it directly to the fixture?
Prime and DIY Rapid LEDS. I have the press n seal on my glass canopy in my hood (JBJ 28g). I have the light on my hood. The diffuser is about 2-3 inches below light. Since my leds are so close to the surface I was having really bad spots/disco. When i added this it blended really well.
 

Smite

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Prime and DIY Rapid LEDS. I have the press n seal on my glass canopy in my hood (JBJ 28g). I have the light on my hood. The diffuser is about 2-3 inches below light. Since my leds are so close to the surface I was having really bad spots/disco. When i added this it blended really well.
Awesome, thanks for the tip

I bought some adhesive frosted vinyl off of amazon that worked great for me.
Got a link? I've seen a few on there. What lights you running?
 
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Heres the link: https://smile.amazon.com/Soqool-Frosted-Adhesive-Decorative-Bathroom/dp/B074KYH7FY

I literally just Cut a square and stuck it to the button of my AI Hydra 26HD

This is a good idea, I'm looking to add another hydra to my tank but was starting to look at diffuser options, did you take any pre and post par readings? It seems like a lot of the people who used sanded acrylic lost 20-25% par.

Edit: This is UV blocking, seems like that would be counter productive to coral growth.
" UV-Anti Window Cling 】Works well during summer and winter. Control Heat and Block Out 96% of UV Rays "
 

Smite

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#14
This is a good idea, I'm looking to add another hydra to my tank but was starting to look at diffuser options, did you take any pre and post par readings? It seems like a lot of the people who used sanded acrylic lost 20-25% par.

Edit: This is UV blocking, seems like that would be counter productive to coral growth.
" UV-Anti Window Cling 】Works well during summer and winter. Control Heat and Block Out 96% of UV Rays "
This is what i was having trouble finding. Something that doesn't block UV
 
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#15
Maybe look into diffusion plastic they use for covering greenhouses. They usually sell by the rolls but Im sure they could send you some sq ft samples.
 

Instigate

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I'm using a strip of parchment paper under my black box. Blends the colors and completely removes the ugly BB shimmer but I had to turn it all the way up and I'm still not up to the same par I was before but it looks so much nicer and corals don't seem to mind so it stays. I would be interested in a solution that doesn't drop my par so dramatically.
 
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