Looking for data on T5 reflector types

Jonathan Troutt · Jul 9, 2019

what the title says but basically i am wanting to know how much of a performance difference there is between these two.
The main difference being the triangular shape run down the center vs flat center.

Jonathan Troutt · Jul 9, 2019

I was told the triangle bend cause light from the bulb to not be reflected back into itself. The reason i am asking for data is because reflectors with the bend are $25 a piece.....
Reflectors in the other picture are $20 for 4.

So in my case 80 for all i would need vs $200. If the bend is all the important i can take it up to my work and bend it.
Also the cheaper ones are same metal the miro-4 as the one with the bend.

Big E · Jul 10, 2019

I'm not sure on that theory but I've been using the triangular types for 15 or more years and they work great. They will last a lifetime if you take care of them. They have a proven track record. They also look wider than the cheaper ones.

Have you hunted around for better than 25 per? I have some that don't have the finished edge & I know they were less.

The others don't have as many bends and the edges are exposed which may be sharp. As far as if they have the same reflective material or won't rust I don't know, but that seems like a huge difference in price.

I guess you could buy some of each and do some testing.

What is the length that you are planning to use?

Big E · Jul 10, 2019

Here's some info, not sure if it helps a whole lot--

http://www.t5fixtures.com/t5-grow-light-reflectors/

Jonathan Troutt · Jul 10, 2019

Big E said:
I'm not sure on that theory but I've been using the triangular types for 15 or more years and they work great. They will last a lifetime if you take care of them. They have a proven track record. They also look wider than the cheaper ones.

Have you hunted around for better than 25 per? I have some that don't have the finished edge & I know they were less.

The others don't have as many bends and the edges are exposed which may be sharp. As far as if they have the same reflective material or won't rust I don't know, but that seems like a huge difference in price.

I guess you could buy some of each and do some testing.

What is the length that you are planning to use?

48in. They use the same material which is miro-4.
If it comes down to it i can buy a sheet of the miro-4 and bend it myself. I have the machinery to do that. I dont care if they have sharp edges. I just want similar performance

Big E · Jul 10, 2019

Do you have a link to the cheap ones?

Jonathan Troutt · Jul 10, 2019

Big E said:
Do you have a link to the cheap ones?

Well i must of been super tired last night. Cause its only 4 bucks cheaper. Not sure why i saw them in packs of 4 reflectors. Still a tad cheaper though. Im interested in finding out what the triangle bend does.

For the price of these things i could bend my own aluminum and use a mylar covering. Mylar is 98% reflective. Hmm....options

Big E · Jul 10, 2019

I think that link I gave you had some for around $14 that were parabolic. Those won't spread as wide............the facets is what give the light a wider spread.

The ones with the facets cover about a 4" width

A lot also depends on what type of corals you plan to keep. You may be able to get away with less bulbs.

Jonathan Troutt · Jul 10, 2019

Big E said:
I think that link I gave you had some for around $14 that were parabolic. Those won't spread as wide............the facets is what give the light a wider spread.

The ones with the facets cover about a 4" width

A lot also depends on what type of corals you plan to keep. You may be able to get away with less bulbs.

My goal is a mixed tank. I have 4 ballast ao i wanted to do 8 bulbs. I can buy the plain sheets for miro-4 for $50 bucks a sheet. Prolly $100 bucks to make my own. And i could bend them to the exact shape as the ones on brs.

Im gonna go talk to some fabricators at my work today and get their opinion as well.

jda · Jul 10, 2019

With 8 bulbs, the fixture will be quite wide, so unless your tank is over 24" deep, then just penetrating will work out just fine. If you have to spread like a 36" front to back, then spreading them out more and letting them go wide is needed.

Jonathan Troutt · Jul 10, 2019

jda said:
With 8 bulbs, the fixture will be quite wide, so unless your tank is over 24" deep, then just penetrating will work out just fine. If you have to spread like a 36" front to back, then spreading them out more and letting them go wide is needed.

I was wondering. Im gonna try to fit 8 bulbs inside of the canopy. I have not received the reflectors yet so im not sure. It s standard 75 gal. And im not sure on depth unless i look.

Big E · Jul 10, 2019

6 bulbs is plenty for that tank.

I don't know what ao ballasts are, but HEP ballasts or the one that Advance makes for T5s are the correct ballasts in reference to firing them correctly and running them. Anything other than those and you aren't going to get the same bulb life or performance.

Jonathan Troutt · Jul 10, 2019

Big E said:
6 bulbs is plenty for that tank.

I don't know what ao ballasts are, but HEP ballasts or the one that Advance makes for T5s are the correct ballasts in reference to firing them correctly and running them. Anything other than those and you aren't going to get the same bulb life or performance.

Grr my iphone always changes my words its so frustrating. I purchased the HEP ballasts and i know you have said 6 is fine for that tank. I dont know why i am so stuck on 8 bulbs