TEK II or Ice Cap Reflectors?

[Achilles Tang]

So after a long day at work (hot day) I came home to A hot Tank as well a few weeks back. I pulled the MH out of my hood and installed some T5's I had. They seem to be doing very well however the reflectors are the old TEK style with only 10 Bends and there just old to boot. That said any product preferences between the new TEK II Reflectors and Ice Cap or are they basically the same? They look to be the same price is one performing better?

[jquigley78]

Ahhh, Thank You, I was just wondering the same thing myself. I hope somebody can chime in on this one.

[David Grigor]

What did someone say T5s ? I know I know I know.......

Stick with the Icecap. They are different and Icecap still outperforms.....

The numbers are consistanly 25% more from the Icecap than your current ones plus with SS cleaner/polisher you can clean them to look brand new. The old tek ones once they get spots it doesn't come out.

Here is a quote from Grim the T5 guru on RC....

"Forget the Tek II reflectors, Hahnmeister tested them and they dont hang with the Ice Caps and they are over 3" wide which limits the amount of lamps you can use. "

Now logically, you would think that they wouldn't produce a new reflector if they couldn't outperform the competition then why bother. I sure someone a Sunlight would have tested/compared them before production.:doh:

[deathmatch782]

I read most of that thread, and Hahnmeister found that the Tek2 had better output on the edges, and the IC still have better intensity straight down.

[Achilles Tang]

Thanks I buy the Ice Cap then.
Are the T5's like the old VHO's as far as shifting spectrums mid way through their life? What is the average replacement time. Are there any signs besides coral health and algea blooms.

[Dirk Griffin]

Keep me in mind if you need T-5 stuff. Have endcaps, bulbs, reflectors, Icecap and A-4+ ballasts on hand.....same as mail order, plus tax.

[David Grigor]

The longest stretch I have run T5s was 14months before I went back to MH the first time ( before UVL bulbs came out ). There were no obvious signs of color dulling or shifting from the corals telling me it was time for changing so likely could go longer. Keeping the bulbs cool with fans plays a role in both output and life. Very likely the 18month general rule is pretty valid. Not 100% sure on the 24month some are quoting and would keep an eye out for signs between 18-24 if you want to see how long you can go.

According to Andy at icecap, the spectrum shift with flourescent bulbs is pretty much a myth. It's true with MH though. As a flourescent bulbs ages, the intensity is the part that degrades the most not color shift.

For me, just to keep it easy to remember I will likely change out once a year knowing I have several months to get around to it if needed and no hurry. Replacement cost really aren't a big deal to me for the number of bulbs I run so keeping it easy/repeatable is more my style.

[mattb]

Many of the Europeans are replacing at 9 months....

[David Grigor]

Perhaps because they looking to get the most intensity and really pushing the upper limits of T5s . I haven't seen any reason for changing quite that often for what I have .


Closely monitoring your corals and overall tank will ultimately tell you when you need to change. 12-14months is very reasononable for my tank conditions.

[Achilles Tang]

David thanks for all the info

Dirk I'll send ya a PM