I just wanted to take a few minutes to show you guys some things about reflectors for T5 lighting. Currently I maintain 7 systems that run them. My experience with T5 is limited to Coralvue fixtures 4 brands of bulbs and 3 different reflectors.
Two of the reflectors that I have dealt with came directly from Coralvue but were not created equal. The third brand are IceCaps.
The first four or five sets of reflectors that I ever received from Coralvue were the biggest pieces of junk I've ever come across. They were extremely thin and razor sharp. Within 2 weeks of having them in operation they began to rust end even become somewhat misshapen. There weren't any angles to the reflective side rather a more rounded face and didn't do a very good job. After a few returns to Coralvue I began to receive some better constructed pieces. They were still very sharp on the edges but the metal was better quality, didn't become misshapen and while they still rusted only began to do so after 8 months. These had a distinct W shape to them with some definate bends to help disperse light. These can all be bent fairly easy so take care of them if using them. These do tend to haze up and pit a bit after a while but hold up pretty well. The clips that come with these are some sort of plastic and should immediately be replaced with some IceCap clips. The plastic will break in more than one place more often than not when doing maintenance. I believe the heat from the bulbs makes them brittle. These plastic clips simply snap into the reflector and that piece of them often breaks as well. The holes these clips fit into are set in about 10" from each end. I believe they are like this to help support the reflector itself. These clips and reflectors are the same ones Coralvue still sends out with their fixtures.
The IceCaps are beautiful reflectors. They are extremely thick and rigid and contain no sharp edges. The face of the reflector has many angles and they really help to intensify the light. The plastic clips will work with them but become even more of a pain so just save yourself some time and frustration and just order some IceCap clips to begin with. The IceCap clips are made of some sort of metal and they are plastic coated. They last a long time and hold the bulb very secure. The clips on these mount to the very end of each reflector and are more out of the way with this arrangement.
The IceCaps are not as wide as the other reflectors that I have used. On my system the way my plumbing is routed up and over the back it cuts down the available space for lighting...especially since I sit my fixtures right on top of the display. With the other reflectors I barely had room for one more bulb. With all IceCaps running I believe I might be able to run another two bulb fixture but I haven't measured it and don't believe that I need them.
The first picture is a comparison of all the ones I've used in the past. There is a plastic coated IceCap then one with the plastic removed. Then there is a clean and dirty good set from Coralvue and then the misshapen pieces of
junk from Coralvue.
The second pic is the IceCap
The third the good set from Coralvue but it needs cleaning. Immediately you can see a difference in the reflective sides of these first two though.
The fourth is the bad set from Coralvue and the picture speaks for itself. This rusting happend within a few months and was uncontrollable even with maintenance.
The last pic I thought was really neat it shows off the surface of the IceCaps and...the eye is watching you!



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What a noob, I am. LOL I just took them off now (prior to reading this post) and wow...they are actually shiny underneath.

Now dig me out

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