T5 reflectors

[Samper]

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!

[Samper]

1'st pic is what happens to the typical plastic clip almost every time I mess with one

Second pic is of the IceCap clips. As I said they hold up really well and don't just snap in. There is a nut and bolt that holds them to the reflector.

The third pic shows how I sit my fixtures on the display. I glue in an acrylic piece on each end and they sit directly on that.

The fourth pic shows the height off the water about 5" the way the coralvue fixtures are made I prefer to just sit them on top.

Last pic this series shows how clean these look even without a hood.

[Samper]

And some random ones.

[Samper]

If anyone else has any others we can compare I'd love to see and hear your experiences.

[Samper]

And while I'm at it I might as well post this. I clean my reflectors every two weeks. Being so close to the water and having the type of surface movement that I do they become dirty very quickly. You would be surprised how much light is cut back when you have dirty bulbs and reflectors.

First I shut off the fixtures for about 15 minutes prior to cleaning. They are much easier to clean when cool. I get a very soft car cleaning cloth and dab it in RO/DI water. Each reflector is removed and wiped down with the water rag then dried with a similar cloth. I then use the cloth to clean the entire surface of each bulb and dry them in the same manner. Reflectors are reinstalled and off we go. Takes me no more than 10 minutes if I have everything ready to do this. If you keep up the maintenance on them they last a lot longer.

[charlie]

Do you need to remove the reflectors to clean them, or is that something you just do??

[Samper]

Well I found that if I didn't remove them to clean them that I couldn't clean the entire bulb very easily much less the reflector. It's the top half of the bulb that is important to the reflector so it's pretty crucial to keep all sides of everything clean. Also drying them afterward helps. If I didn't there would sometimes be a slight haze similar to what happens if you don't dry your car after washing it.

In addition something that helps me keep them somewhat cleaner is the addition of some acrylic squares to cover the overflows. They are 1" wider on two sides so there is an overhang. This keeps any spray from the overflows from hitting either end of the back reflector.

[charlie]

That protects your endcaps too, that is a good idea. I know I would have a problem keeping them clean on my 300!!!

[Samper]

Yeah the pieces I glued in on the sides protect the endcaps. The square overflow covers are removable for maintenance and those are what protect that back reflector from overflow spray.

The addition of these was very easy and really helped me cut down on maintenance.

[charlie]

I can picture that!!! might ensure a longer bulb life for sure.

[SouthBayPhoto]

Nice write up/post up Chuck.

I also feel like a noob...when I got my T5's, I looked at the reflectors and was like, "Man...I thought they'd be shinier...especially the way IceCap brags about them."

LOL...I then found out from Mike/Poseidon that I didn't take the yellow plastic coating off them. What a noob, I am. LOL I just took them off now (prior to reading this post) and wow...they are actually shiny underneath. It's like a Christmas miracle. LOL!!!

Anyway, cool write up. I like it. I posted up pics of my lights, as I mounted them into my canopy, on my 90g build thread.

[Samper]

I'm glad this helped!

[charlie]

A great add to the forum!!!!!

[Ramer]

So if a person bought a hood without Icecap refectors, could the crummy reflector be swaped out for Ice caps. Or are the hoods desinged differnt to only allow certian reflectors?

[charlie]

Alot of times, you are better off just starting from scratch Brandon, that has been my experience.

[Papa Doug]

Nice write up/post up Chuck.

I also feel like a noob...when I got my T5's, I looked at the reflectors and was like, "Man...I thought they'd be shinier...especially the way IceCap brags about them."

LOL...I then found out from Mike/Poseidon that I didn't take the yellow plastic coating off them. What a noob, I am. LOL I just took them off now (prior to reading this post) and wow...they are actually shiny underneath. It's like a Christmas miracle. LOL!!!

Anyway, cool write up. I like it. I posted up pics of my lights, as I mounted them into my canopy, on my 90g build thread.

You're not alone there. I also did that once. Great thread.

[Ramer]

Charlie I'm sure your right. I was just wondering in case I came across a screaming deal. If the hood needed upgraded could it be? Thats all I was wondering. For the 90

[charlie]

That is something I can't be sure of. You would have to measure it out, I am sure. It is awful hard to tell without getting a look at it with all the parts in hand.