The Great T5 Reflector Glarathon

[The Grim Reefer]

OK, Maybe only so so T5 Glarathon.

I finally came up with a way to do a deep water test. I took the measurments from one end of a 20 gallon tank to the other. Thats 24" of water and 2 3/8 thick peices of glass.

My in tank test were done in the 125 with the sensor 18" below the surface with the lamp about 1 1/2" above the water.

In that test the Ice Cap and Brand X reflector were tied with the Sunlight Supply Tek coming in about 10% lower.

On the 24" test the Ice Cap just nudged out Brand X with the Tek starting to suck wind at about 20% less.

Good and Bad points to each reflector.

Brand X: Lower price, easy to put together. Mirrored surface should be easy to keep clean. Has equal output to the Ice Cap at 18" which is better than the Tek. This reflector is large and a lot heavier than the others. 3 1/8 inches wide compared to 2 1/8 for the Tek and the Ice Cap about 2 3/8 so if space is at a premium I would look at the others. I also would not use Brand X on a 60" lamp (without a light mod) because the reflector flexes a bit which tends to decrease the output. All three reflectors are supported by clips which attach them to the lamp. Adding a third bulb clip in the middle would solve the problem. One advantage of the size and design would be for supplimental lighting. It would be easy to drill a couple holes in the side of the reflector and simply screw them into the side of the canopy.The shape (sort of an upsidedown W)would direct the light where it needs to be without making brackets to angle it.

Sunlight Supply Tek. Small size and easy to put together. Price is a little less than Ice Cap. Light and fairly rigid design with no visible flexing when attached to the lamp but not that hard to bend if you are not carefull. Doesn't reflect as much light as the other two. The reflective surface is textured and lends itself to being stained by salt spray. It also makes them difficult to clean. I use a Dawn Dish Soap power scrubber to do the job.

Ice Cap. Not the smallest but close. Has a slightly higher PAR output than the less expensive Brand X in deeper water. Very light and rigid design. Mirrored surface is easily cleaned. Assembly is a PITA, wear gloves. The others have holes drilled so you can bolt the bulb clip to the reflector. These have a snap in support bracket you add to each end of the reflector and the clips bolt in to them. In my opinion the brackets are not needed as the reflectors are incredibly light and rigid so there should be no issues with flexing or warping.

So that about does it for my T5 reflector experiment. Now I am moving on to T6's

 

[carpetride]

Thanks, for the info.

Is it safe to assume the same bulbs were used in all three reflectors? Was Brand X designed for T5 or T6?

 

[horkn]

i told you the aqulaux german ones were good grim.


i love mine.


if i can source the clips to hold the bulbs, then even in 60" lengths there wont be a problem.


the only place to get the german "computer designed" reflectors is www.aqualuxlighting.com

i can say they are easily cleaned, as i merely wiped mine down, although there was not too much salt on them after 2 months.

"brand X" is funny, since we realy dont know much about them, other than they are made in germany, where the whole t5 craze started.

they are made for t5s, but their size, which is the only drawback IMHO of these reflectors, compared to the slimmer designs of tek and icecap, will suit the t6 light with ease


i had planned a 4x39 retro, but teh width of the computer designed ones would only permit 3x39 in my canopy, but thats mostly my fault, since my canopy takes up internal space with bracing... oh well, the point i am making is the 3x39 is definitely bright enough, with me only needing a better solution for night lights...

 

[moonpod]

I think those are actually ATIs reflectors except that ATI may no longer be in business, so they are whomever took over.

 

[horkn]

no idea, all they say is "made in germany" on the back...

and they are a lot less money than the other choices...

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I was told they were ATI but that isn't what they are sold as so Brand X. I think they made a huge mistake building the reflectors because of the size. Even knocking off a half inch of width (I don't think they need to hang as low or flare as wide)would have left more options for using them, 4 over a 12" opening like the 55's have or 6 over an 17" like my 125 and a ton of other tanks.

After I am done playing with the T6's (I have 4 of them here) I should have some 150 watt halides to compare on the 125. I may be crossing over to the "dark side". I am anxious to see if the fluorescents die as much shollower than halides as people claim. Either way I will try the halides for a while and see how the corals like them. I may be done with T5's.

 

[moonpod]

grim where did you get the T6 from? YuLi?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

i told you the aqulaux german ones were good grim.


i love mine.


if i can source the clips to hold the bulbs, then even in 60" lengths there wont be a problem.

You shouldn't have any trouble getting bulb clips. I just got a bag of the good powder coated ones from Ice Cap. They really do stand behind their products like few other companies.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

grim where did you get the T6 from? YuLi?

Yes

 

[lrsafari]

So Grim, what was the verdict on the T6's?

What endcaps did you use? And it sounds like the "Brand-X" wil work for them?

thanks,

Scott

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Thanks, for the info.

Is it safe to assume the same bulbs were used in all three reflectors? Was Brand X designed for T5 or T6?

Just noticed your ?

Same lamp was used, Brand X is a T5 lamp. T6 reflectors are supposed to be in the works, something a japanese movie company has been using.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

So Grim, what was the verdict on the T6's?

What endcaps did you use? And it sounds like the "Brand-X" wil work for them?

thanks,

Scott

The kids and the grand kid (I still cringe when I say that, way too young and perty to be a G Pa) cameby so I didn't get a chance to fire them up yet. There are reflectors in the works for the T6 but I think the aqualuX will be a good option. I would shim the bulp clip up 1/16" to account for the larger bulb diameter. I assume a T5 clip can be spread enough for the T6. In fact I don't even have to assume, just did it. (Looked over as I was typing and saw the lamp and a SLS reflector sitting together)

 

[lrsafari]

At least you started early enough tobe a G'Pa. i have my first, a 10 month old daughter, and I just turned 43. So I guess if anyone ever calls me grandpa, I'll have lived a good long time......

Looks like I could order 4 of those "Brand-X" reflector, and 4 of the Icecaps (dollar cost averaging, anyone?) and handle most anything.

Looking forward to pics and PAR readings.

Scott

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Will definatly do pic and PARs on the T6. I am going to fire it and a T5 on an Ice Cap ballast at the same time.

First Kid at 42, heII I am only 45 and my grandson is a year and a half old. Now I get the teach the little critter some bad habbits to pay my son back for all the crap he put us through. The moral of the story is never make anyone a grampa while they are still young and a big kid himself

 

[lrsafari]

Well, at 42, I still exhibit child like tendancies (the quality, not childish ).

You got a head start on me. Most of my friends have high school or college age children. I didn't find the right person to enjoy parenthood with till recently. But man, does she make great babies!! Just look in my gallery!

I promise, there will be pictures of fish, corals and hardware, as soon as they are setup.....


Scott

 

[Orchids]

This is good information to have as I am going to get a T5 set-up for my 90 gal. Only problem for me is I am going to get the full hood, so my choices become very limited. PFO or Sunlight's Tek are all I can find on-line.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Go with the Tek, the PFO (or any others I've seen) doesn't have the individual reflectors.

 

[Orchids]

Good point. I contated www.aquariumlighting.com and they have a unit, "Slim Boy" which according to them has individual reflectors. Since I have not heard anything from anyone on these units, I will likely go with the Tek. I know Hikari has a unit out but I do not believe it is available in the US, yet.

 

[R33f3r]

Thanks Grim, and please report all of your T6 experiences

 

[horkn]

You shouldn't have any trouble getting bulb clips. I just got a bag of the good powder coated ones from Ice Cap. They really do stand behind their products like few other companies.

i honestly think if i put a little time into a searcha t a larger hardware store, or a specialty lighting store i will find the plastic ones i have on my aqualux reflectors.


i dont like the metal clips, since the icecap ones are just powdercoated over the old ones that rust. eventually the rust will crack the powdercoat, and the problem will still be there...


i have a ton of powdercoat experience form the motorcyle industry...

i am glad to hear icecap is a great company to deal with, but they should be for how much their products cost....