Reflectors on T5

[Little_Aquarist]

Alright, so adding reflectors clips on my 4 54w T5 bulbs... Would that definitely increase the amount of light coming down from them? And will it visibly increase what I can see coming down?

[charlie]

So, are you saying that you are adding individual reflectors???

[charlie]

You may not notice the difference in the amount of light, but I bet your critters will!!!

[Poseidon]

Alright, so adding reflectors clips on my 4 54w T5 bulbs... Would that definitely increase the amount of light coming down from them? And will it visibly increase what I can see coming down?

Only by about 300%!!!!

[Little_Aquarist]

Yes! They are individual reflectors. I added them today. Its tough to get the little things to stay in place with the clips. > I've arranged them so they stay, and still look all purdy.

[bschuerman]

Individual reflectors make a world of difference. It is a wise choice to add them.

[returnofsid]

T5HO can be a very powerful lighting. BUT, the secret to it's success is the individual reflectors. I have a Tek 5, 6 bulb fixture over my 75. A lot of people, including SPS fanatics, told me that it wouldn't be good enough lighting for most SPS. I'm growing high light demanding Acropora and some are below the midway point in my tank. I've now had this fixture for 3 years and am VERY impressed with T5HO...But again, you've gotta have the individual reflectors.

[Little_Aquarist]

So, saying that I have 4 54w T5 HO's, with 4 individual reflectors, how low would I be able to place SPS corals? (Inches would be lovely)

[Poseidon]

Sorry, it doesn't work that way for the most part. There are so many variables with the bulbs (color, brand) and the coral itself. Saying SPS doesn't automatically mean the coral needs tons of light or flow for that matter. I have some SPS on my sandbed 22" under the T5, and others that are almost touching the water surface.

My routine starts with ALL frags on the sandbed, then I move them up 6" or so at a time until I find where the coral is happiest.

[Little_Aquarist]

Ooooh! How many bulbs do you use?

[Poseidon]

I have 6 overdriven T5's on 2 IceCap ballasts. From front to back they are:

Super Actinic
Actinic White
Actinic + (Geismann)
75-25
Actinic White
Super Actinic

All have either IceCap or Tek II reflectors on them as well.

[Little_Aquarist]

Alrighty! I got a 250w 15,000k MH! So all together, I have about 412w!

It looks amazing! I LOVE THE PURPLES! Though, I don't have a fan. But the temp stays at 85

[Poseidon]

85 is about 3 degrees to HOT for me... First confirm that temp with a second thermometer, then if it is really 85, do something to bring it down! I find that 78-80 seems to be the happy place!

[Little_Aquarist]

Temperature brought down to 80.

[Little_Aquarist]

Should the growth in my SPS increase significantly after adding the 250w MH? I'm still using 3 54w T5's as well. And my calcium stays at around 460

[Poseidon]

Well, first make sure to acclimate your coral to the new light, or you will start losing pieces.

Once you have completed the acclimation (search here for how to do it.) then YES, you should see an increase in growth rate, and hopefully better color too.

[Little_Aquarist]

Would that just be placing them low, then gradually moving them up higher? They've been at a very high place in my tank (about 2" down) my tank is a standard 75g. Should I move them all down now? My Northern Lights Nasuta seems to have better polyp extension and better coloration being at the same height as when I had all T5's. As well as my Blue Milli, and my 2 Bird's Nests.

[Poseidon]

Either move the corals, or move the light up. You can also use shade cloth between the tank and the light.

[Little_Aquarist]

Alrighty. And what determines when I should move them up?

[charlie]

I usually leave all my stuff down low for 3-4 days, then move them halfway for about the same period of time, just to see how they do. After that, it is probably up to you as to when you think you should either move them up, or leave them where they are.