reflector for T5 lighting

[95accord]

whats the big deal with reflectors? are they realy worth the extra 40$? wouldnt tinfoil do the same? whats so great about them? what do they do/increased advantages? any different brands/types to look out for?
any comments?

im purchasing a Hagen GLO series T5 lights. 2bulbs, 42inches for a 55gal FOWLR. would a reflector realy be that advantageous?

 

[ROB2005]

T5 is not T5 without reflectors. Trust me when I say that. Reflectors double its light output and spread it efficiently. Without them they are inefficient in getting the light to the tank.

 

[95accord]

would tinfoil or mylar do the same or would it not reflect enough light?

 

[ROB2005]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10997761#post10997761 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 95accord
would tinfoil or mylar do the same or would it not reflect enough light?

Tinfoil or Mylar would be cheating on getting the most output on your lighting and would be simply wasting it. Let me ask you, are you getting a kit that you can retrofit into an existing canopy?

 

[95accord]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10997814#post10997814 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ROB2005
Tinfoil or Mylar would be cheating on getting the most output on your lighting and would be simply wasting it. Let me ask you, are you getting a kit that you can retrofit into an existing canopy?

i believe so. the kit comes with arms that can extend out the side which can attach to the side of almost any aquarium if thats what you mean.

 

[ROB2005]

Okay, looking at your first post. I'd say you are getting a light fixture, not a kit. In that case the reflectors are installed already in the fixture itself, to enable the full use of the high output lamps

Is this what you were looking at? (click on this)

or something similar to that?

 

[95accord]

Thats exactly the one. the 48incher.


but the guy at the LFS said the reflector and bulbs were seperate so it may only be the ballast kit i was looking at. either way thats the one im getting. (i intend on purchasing the entire kit&kabootle to make it run properly anyways)

on the kit details, it says; highly polished reflector inside" but there is also a "colored" reflector sheet that can be purchased. im not sure if its any better or not....or just a waste of money and that the guy at the LFS is just trying to get me to spend more....

 

[ROB2005]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10997899#post10997899 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 95accord
Thats exactly the one. the 48incher.


but the guy at the LFS said the reflector and bulbs were seperate so it may only be the ballast kit i was looking at. either way thats the one im getting.

I believe you were looking at a retrofit kit, yes the reflectors are a must. But the fixture you want the 48" already has reflectors and bulbs included I believe, so nothing extra has to be bought.

edit: Oh Im sorry, you wanted the ballast kit? I may have misread you?

Better off with the highly polished reflector!

 

[95accord]

good to know. thanks

edit; these are the additional reflectors buddy at the store was talking about;
http://www.hagen.com/uk/aquatic/glo/GLOT5_LightProg5_EN.cfm?#reflectors

the ones at the store are like a off-gold color made for the double light fixture.

would they be worth it?

i also meant light fixture...not ballast...my bad.

 

[ROB2005]

Im not sure why the guy at the LFS would want you to buy separate reflectors, if the fixture I showed you in the link contains a reflector integrated into it? Just to be on the safe side, ask him if he can show you what exactly you are going to get, because it can be a pain to return electrical items at LFS and you won't have to end up making a second trip.

 

[95accord]

i figure its probably just a scam to try and get me to buy more useless stuff...

but i'll definatly check into it before buying it.
thanks

edit; any opinions on this kit? good? bad? average?

 

[ROB2005]

Yeah, be sure to check, because sometimes LFS guys don't know what they are talking about. And you're welcome!

Edit: They are pretty good kits indeed, not the complete best, but it's worth it.

 

[95accord]

they're on sale till the end of the month for a really good price hence why i am planning on getting one.

would a 2 bulb set-up be good enough for a FOWLR set-up? or would i need more?

 

[95accord]

they're on sale till the end of the month for a really good price hence why i am planning on getting one.

would a 2 bulb set-up be good enough for a FOWLR set-up? or would i need more?

 

[ROB2005]

I think that is good enough for that type of tank as long as you not keeping corals or another sort of light demanding species.

If you do decide to upgrade to a reef aquarium, your lighting may have to increase by a few bulbs depending on what you keep.

 

[95accord]

cool. just what i wanted to hear.

would it be sufficient to keep an anemone? (one marine glo and one Actinic bulbs)

 

[ROB2005]

What type of anemone did you have in mind? Most of the ones in the hobby trade dont really do that well in captivity

 

[95accord]

not sure yet...BTA or something.....something for the clowns