Need Opinion from T5 users

[st9z]

I currently have a Nova Extreme 4-54watt with no reflectors. I decided to buy 4 of the icecap SLR Reflectors and retro fit the unit. To my despair only 2 reflectors would fit, so now the unit is setup where 2 bulbs would share 1 reflector. :( My question is, would the 2 reflector make any difference? I read you should have individual reflector for each bulb to get more out of the T5.

[ErikS]

Individual reflectors increase the output (over a single reflector for all bulbs) by 30 - 50%.

 

Can't help ya with the "sharing", no idea where that lies on the scale.

[YBeNormal]

The bends in reflectors are designed to reflect light with a specific bulb placement within the reflector. I'm afraid that placing two bulbs in a reflector designed for one bulb might actually result in less light being reflected into the tank when compared to a single reflector designed for two bulbs, even one of lesser quality.

[jason the filter freak]

I thought it was more like 300% efficency. You need to have one reflector per bulb

[st9z]

ooh man! I knew it was too good to be true. Looks like I will have to gut my Nova Extreme somehow

[ErikS]

I thought it was more like 300% efficency. You need to have one reflector per bulb

Nah, 30 - 50% (which is a LOT)...........many factors, including specific reflector & ventilation. I.E. switching from a single reflector with good ventilation to individual reflectors with poor ventilation (Tek) won't give the max increase.

[treesprite]

I have a Nova Extreme. I was worried about the amount of light when I first got it because people started talking about individual reflectors, but I've had some SPS frags under it for a while with no problem... one actually came back from near-death, another that was bleached from falling in the sand is growing back, and another that bleached out in transport is just beginning to get a little color back.

[st9z]

I have a Nova Extreme. I was worried about the amount of light when I first got it because people started talking about individual reflectors, but I've had some SPS frags under it for a while with no problem... one actually came back from near-death, another that was bleached from falling in the sand is growing back, and another that bleached out in transport is just beginning to get a little color back.

Same here I have some SPS frags up high in my tank. They seem to be doing fine as well.

[treesprite]

Same here I have some SPS frags up high in my tank. They seem to be doing fine as well.

Some I have at about 12" from the light and the lowest is at about 18" from the light, in a 24 inch tall tank.

[Integral9]

Along with making sure you have a fan to cool the bulbs a bit, You need to determine the focal point within the parabola of the reflectors and place the center of the bulb there (or as close to it as you can get) to achieve maximum results. All you need to determine this is the width and height of the reflectors. If they are not a perfect curve, don't worry, you can assume a perfect parabola and still achieve similar results.

 

My Tek II reflectors (not perfect parabolas) which are 2 1/4 " wide and tall, I believe had a focal length of 1.75" which meant I had to raise up the reflectors a 1/2" to get the focal point near the center of the bulb. My end caps had raised the bulb up too far. You can find the formula for determining this on Wikipedia. I can't remember off the top of my head.

 

Just upgraded from PCs to T5,s whoa what a difference. Added my first SPS a couple weeks ago and so far everything looks good. Tortusa even kept it's tri color. :-)

Edited April 9, 2008 by Integral9