Light Reflectors

[scottca]

Hi All,

I have a Fluval Vicenza 180, Heavily planted running compressed Co2 - My tank came with white plastic reflectors behind the T5 bulbs - My local maidenhead sells some arcadia (I think) metal / silver reflectors. From looking at them I can tell they reflect alot more light however im wondering if this will make any difference to my tank ?

Will I benefit from any extra reflection I may get? They are fairly inexpensive but dont want to waste money if its not worth it.

Thanks in advance,

Craig

 

[ikongoni]

I have Juwel reflectors on my tubes, which are metallic, which the manufactuers claim doubles the light.
Whether thats true or not I don't know, but I suppose there must be something to their claim.

 

[Wolfenrook]

Metal reflectors are well worth it. They increase light penetration quite a lot, and are one of the cheapest ways to get more light into an aquarium. One word of cuation though, make sure you use metal clips with T5s and not plastic ones, as T5 lighting turns plastic into brittle junk very quickly.

Ade

 

[scottca]

Thank you for your replies - On the hood of my Vicenza 180 I dont they they clip in as such, I think you have to slot on edge in, then bend and spring it back into another slot (does that make sense?)

I can take some pics later if its easier.

Would that be ok, that the reflectors are actually attached directly to the hood of the tank and not using any clips as such?

Craig

 

[aaronnorth]

I know what you mean, i have the same tank, it will be fine.

 

[scottca]

I know what you mean, i have the same tank, it will be fine.

Thank You

Have you upgraded them on your vicenza? if so, did they make much of a difference?

Regards,

Craig

 

[aaronnorth]

No i didn't, because they are HO T5's, you get a lot of light anyway and i can grow any plant nearly with a few exceptions, it will still help though if you want to do it, especially for the ground plants.

Just check they are the correct width first.

 

[scottca]

Thanks Aaron. I was also looking at installing another T5 on the back panel of the lid - again, do you think its worth it, I was worried that I didnt thave enough light for a planted tank (according to the wpg rule).

Do T5 HO make a difference with the wph rule?

Thanks.

Craig

 

[aaronnorth]

well it works out at 1.2WPG, the HO T5's dont apply, Andy is running 0.9WPG with HO T5 and he is growing plants such as blyxia - and at a fast rate!

I think you can easily say you have near enough 2WPG, taking in mind it is also a large tank which means the WPG is more leanient. The extra tube wouldn't hurt though.

 

[scottca]

Thank you

Ill initially just do the reflectors, when i get a chance i may have a stab at installing an aditional bulb - trying to see if i can get my hands on another set of the panels for the lid, that way I can ruin one and still have my old setup

Craig

 

[SuperColey1]

I would always suggest running good reflectors. The arcadia ones clip onto the catual tube not the hood. This way they universally fit any tank.

Reason for always using reflectors in my eyes is that instead of just having light from the 30% of the circumference of the tube that is directed into the tank you get another 40-50% redireceted that was eminating outward and upward.

100% is very difficult to achieve because the tube itself will block some of the reflected light.

White plastic reflectors are of no use really. I think they are just a token gesture.

So if you are getting 70-80% from a tube instead of 30% you can then either have more light available OR have less lights on and save money on electricity!!!

Andy