Reflector Cleaning

BradMugs · 08/10/2010, 01:09 PM

Took the day off to do some maintance and would like to clean the reflectors on my Tek Light 46. I've done some searching and don't really find any information at all.

Purchaed the unit used and the guy ran it without the shield. I did some reading and the differance between with and without the shield is small so I've been using the shield but now I would like to clean the reflectors.

Is it possible to do w/o dammaging the reflectors? If so HOW?

Thanks

dcombs44 · 08/10/2010, 01:11 PM

vinegar and newspaper. That's how I clean my MH reflectors.

Paper towel will work fine too, but newspaper seems to leave fewer streaks. Same method as cleaning tank glass.

Sugar Magnolia · 08/10/2010, 01:31 PM

I just used windex and paper towels when I cleaned my reflectors. (The fixture was obviously off the tank)

Pufferpunk · 08/10/2010, 02:21 PM

I just use hot water & paper towels. I'd NEVER use Windex on anything where it might get water on it to drip the chemical back into the tank.

Sugar Magnolia · 08/10/2010, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pufferpunk

I just use hot water & paper towels. I'd NEVER use Windex on anything where it might get water on it to drip the chemical back into the tank.

My pendant has a glass shield.

Pufferpunk · 08/10/2010, 02:25 PM

That must really diminish the amount of light your corals are getting & add greatly to the temp of your tank. I think it is bad to recommend that as a blanket statement, to folks who probably don't use a glass shield (as many reefers don't).

Sugar Magnolia · 08/10/2010, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pufferpunk

I think it is bad to recommend that as a blanket statement, to folks who probably don't use a glass shield (as many reefers don't).

Good point.

dcombs44 · 08/10/2010, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pufferpunk

That must really diminish the amount of light your corals are getting & add greatly to the temp of your tank. I think it is bad to recommend that as a blanket statement, to folks who probably don't use a glass shield (as many reefers don't).

Depending on the type of lighting, a glass diffuser is a must (i.e. hqi metal halide). Mogul base halides utilize the glass of the bulb to diffuse the UV rays, but HQI needs a shield for that purpose.

A glass shield won't diminish the amount of light by a material amount if it's kept clean and is recommended in most applications to keep water from being splashed on the bulbs causing them to break. Plus, glass in the pendant will only increase the heat in the pendant, not in the tank.

Pufferpunk · 08/10/2010, 02:35 PM

Sorry, I wasn't considering MH. If the OP was referring to that, then why would the reflector need cleaning?

Sugar Magnolia · 08/10/2010, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcombs44

HQI needs a shield for that purpose.

And, after being in use for 7 years, the reflectors had developed a bit of a haze to them, so I figured a cleaning was in order.

dcombs44 · 08/10/2010, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pufferpunk

Sorry, I wasn't considering MH. If the OP was referring to that, then why would the reflector need cleaning?

touche'

IslandCrow · 08/10/2010, 03:24 PM

I'd recommend using a microfiber or other lint free cloth and vinegar (either pure vinegar or up to 50/50 solution). Newspaper or even paper towels could potentially leave some abrasions in the aluminum after awhile. . .probably not enough to really be a factor, but I don't like taking chances with my reflectors. Those things are fairly expensive.

Also, assuming we're talking T5s, the shield has pluses and minuses. The biggest minus is that it allows heat to build up, and that will reduce the effectiveness of the bulbs. If, however, you're getting salt spray up on the reflectors, I'd still use the shield. The salt will eventually damage your reflectors permanently. There are a couple people who have done modifications to install a fan between the bulbs and the shield. I actually cut about 1" off the length of the shield so I could leave a gap on either side where the reflectors were still protected, but theoretically, it would allow some of the heat to escape. I really don't know how effective that was.

BradMugs · 08/12/2010, 05:34 PM

Wow, thanks everyone for the advice on cleaning and cooling. My lights don't seem to get all that hot but then I don't really know what HOT is.

Cleaned it up with vinegar, didn't have any cloths around but will look for some next year when I try the same thing.

08/10/2010, 01:09 PM	#1
BradMugs Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Aurora, CO, USA Posts: 440	Reflector Cleaning Took the day off to do some maintance and would like to clean the reflectors on my Tek Light 46. I've done some searching and don't really find any information at all. Purchaed the unit used and the guy ran it without the shield. I did some reading and the differance between with and without the shield is small so I've been using the shield but now I would like to clean the reflectors. Is it possible to do w/o dammaging the reflectors? If so HOW? Thanks

08/10/2010, 01:11 PM	#2
dcombs44 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 2,913	vinegar and newspaper. That's how I clean my MH reflectors. Paper towel will work fine too, but newspaper seems to leave fewer streaks. Same method as cleaning tank glass. __________________ Current Setup: 10 Gallon Skimmerless Zoanthid Tank Lighting: Single 175 Watt Metal Halide (14,000 K Hamilton Lamp) Filtration: 10 gallon sump/refugium and Phosban Reactor Return: Mag Drive 700 Controller: ReefKeeper Lite (Basic Version) Circulation: TBD Age of System: Build is in Progress

08/10/2010, 01:31 PM	#3
Sugar Magnolia Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Northern VA Posts: 17,691	I just used windex and paper towels when I cleaned my reflectors. (The fixture was obviously off the tank) __________________ Adrienne The only thing to fear is fear itself....and spiders.

08/10/2010, 03:24 PM	#12
IslandCrow Reef Monkey Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Rockledge, Fl Posts: 5,759	I'd recommend using a microfiber or other lint free cloth and vinegar (either pure vinegar or up to 50/50 solution). Newspaper or even paper towels could potentially leave some abrasions in the aluminum after awhile. . .probably not enough to really be a factor, but I don't like taking chances with my reflectors. Those things are fairly expensive. Also, assuming we're talking T5s, the shield has pluses and minuses. The biggest minus is that it allows heat to build up, and that will reduce the effectiveness of the bulbs. If, however, you're getting salt spray up on the reflectors, I'd still use the shield. The salt will eventually damage your reflectors permanently. There are a couple people who have done modifications to install a fan between the bulbs and the shield. I actually cut about 1" off the length of the shield so I could leave a gap on either side where the reflectors were still protected, but theoretically, it would allow some of the heat to escape. I really don't know how effective that was. __________________ All opinions in the above message should be taken with 35 ppt salt. -Mike C. Current Tank Info: I have a reef screen saver on my phone, does that count?

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08/10/2010, 02:21 PM	#4
Pufferpunk Moved On Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Franklin Park, IL Posts: 21,027	I just use hot water & paper towels. I'd NEVER use Windex on anything where it might get water on it to drip the chemical back into the tank.

08/10/2010, 02:25 PM	#6
Pufferpunk Moved On Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Franklin Park, IL Posts: 21,027	That must really diminish the amount of light your corals are getting & add greatly to the temp of your tank. I think it is bad to recommend that as a blanket statement, to folks who probably don't use a glass shield (as many reefers don't).

08/10/2010, 02:35 PM	#9
Pufferpunk Moved On Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Franklin Park, IL Posts: 21,027	Sorry, I wasn't considering MH. If the OP was referring to that, then why would the reflector need cleaning?

08/12/2010, 05:34 PM	#13
BradMugs Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Aurora, CO, USA Posts: 440	Wow, thanks everyone for the advice on cleaning and cooling. My lights don't seem to get all that hot but then I don't really know what HOT is. Cleaned it up with vinegar, didn't have any cloths around but will look for some next year when I try the same thing.