reflectors
- Thread starter ltt83
- Start date
Reflectors don't add any brightness to the bulb, they just make sure more of the light that the bulb gives off ends up getting reflected into the tank instead of going up into your canopy or light fixture and being wasted.
I think I saw you had another post asking about T5s - one of the big advantages with T5s is that they are very narrow diameter tubes, so if you use them with individual parabolic reflectors (one per bulb), then almost all of the light can be reflected down into the tank and very little is wasted. This is different than PCs or normal diameter fluorescent bulbs - even if you use those with reflectors, since the bulbs are wider, the back of the bulbs block a lot of the light that should be getting reflected back into the tank.
Larry
I think I saw you had another post asking about T5s - one of the big advantages with T5s is that they are very narrow diameter tubes, so if you use them with individual parabolic reflectors (one per bulb), then almost all of the light can be reflected down into the tank and very little is wasted. This is different than PCs or normal diameter fluorescent bulbs - even if you use those with reflectors, since the bulbs are wider, the back of the bulbs block a lot of the light that should be getting reflected back into the tank.
Larry
Yes, the VHO bulbs with internal reflectors are going to get more light down into your tank than the comparable bulb without an internal reflector - not sure how much more but someone probably has some numbers posted around here somewhere.
I was just trying to point out that the smaller the source of the light (e.g. a T5 compared to T8 or T12 or PC), the more efficient a reflector can be at getting that light pointed straight down.
Suppose you had a point source of light, then for a given spot on your reflector you could figure out the exact angle to make the reflector so that the light hitting that spot bounces straight down. A T12 VHO bulb is 1.5" across, so for a given spot on the reflector (internal or external), there is light hitting that spot from a range of angles (i.e. from the edges of the bulb or anywhere in between). Some of the light is going to be hitting that spot on the reflector at just the right angle to bounce straight down, but the rest is going to bounce off at angles to one side or another.
Larry
I was just trying to point out that the smaller the source of the light (e.g. a T5 compared to T8 or T12 or PC), the more efficient a reflector can be at getting that light pointed straight down.
Suppose you had a point source of light, then for a given spot on your reflector you could figure out the exact angle to make the reflector so that the light hitting that spot bounces straight down. A T12 VHO bulb is 1.5" across, so for a given spot on the reflector (internal or external), there is light hitting that spot from a range of angles (i.e. from the edges of the bulb or anywhere in between). Some of the light is going to be hitting that spot on the reflector at just the right angle to bounce straight down, but the rest is going to bounce off at angles to one side or another.
Larry
dwdenny
New member
look at www.reefgeek.com www.aqualuxlighting.com there are several those two are the first to come to mind. If you retro it will be cheaper then a fixture. Depends on what you want to keep as to how many lamps you will need. I have a 40g breeder that I am debating on 4X24w(stagered as the tank is 36") T5HO retro or single 175w so that the edges are a little less intense for shrooms and stuff that don't like a ton of light.
well...im tyring to set up a 75g tank atm 48" i was going to start slow with 2 54w and then later on add another 2 when i start collecting corals...but im not quite sure how to hook up a retro pack and i hear people say retro packs are best if you have a canopy any advice on how to hook this up...what do i need to get besides the retro pack and the bulbs?
Brock Fluharty
New member
Is there any way to add individual parabolic reflectors? I recently got a 48" T5 HO fixture, 4x54 watt bulbs, and it hasn't got the individual parabolic reflectors. I hear that they are basically worthless without them. Any way I could add them, or make some?
