Help with Metal Halides and T12s

[jda]

You can get those reflectors in 6 foot lengths as well, it looks like. I had no seen those before... well done.

Keep in mind that with my VHO to T5 tests, I used Sunpower. If you use a typical grow light, then the VHO will destroy them since the reflectors and ballasts are not as good as the ATI ones. The T5s from a grow light would probably be even less than the VHOs with just the internal reflector.

 

[pdxmonkeyboy]

Nuh uhhh. Lol

 

[Feet4Fish]

I have another question for you all.... the halide reflectors are a little "dirty" the lights had been used i think without glass shields which resulted in both the bulbs and lights being a but grubby. Anything I should not used when cleaning the reflectors? Thoughts would be water and perhaps window cleaner. Also same question with bulb. My plan with bulb would just be water and a rag unless maybe vinegar is ok. Let me know and I appreciate your help in advance!

 

[vetteguy53081]

I have another question for you all.... the halide reflectors are a little "dirty" the lights had been used i think without glass shields which resulted in both the bulbs and lights being a but grubby. Anything I should not used when cleaning the reflectors? Thoughts would be water and perhaps window cleaner. Also same question with bulb. My plan with bulb would just be water and a rag unless maybe vinegar is ok. Let me know and I appreciate your help in advance!

ScotchBrite

 

[jda]

RO on a clean towel gets them super bright for me.

I have had to use a bit of the CLR type of stuff if they are REALLY bad, but usually the reflectors are already damaged at this point.

 

[C. Eymann]

I use white vinegar+RO to clean lenses, bulbs(single ended only) and reflectors.

 

[Bpb]

Yeah once a drop of water sits long enough it seems to oxidize they surface of the polished aluminum and I can’t seem to get it shiny again. It feel permanently rough

 

[Feet4Fish]

Thanks all. It is a sing headed bulb as well!

 

[Feet4Fish]

They reflector aren’t bad at all but a light cleaning will do the trick. The bulbs aren’t too bad either. Will try straight RO if need more oompf will throw in a little vinegar. Thanks again!

 

[pdxmonkeyboy]

Do NOT use scotch brite. You will scracth the reflective surface and seriously drop your par numbers.

I suppose it really doesnt matter, it is just an aquarium. When i ran a commercial grow operation we replaced our reflectors once a year. You can just never get then as clean as new. And par numbers go down by about 15%. We tried everything, even polishing them. Again, this was a business and not a hobby. When you are spending $12k month on electricity, you want the PAR as high as possible.