How to clean a tek light?

[richardhmc]

I'm surprised there are no threads on cleaning the reflectors of a t5 on here... unless I searched using the wrong words

I first tried cleaning with water, and then water with vinegar, and now I'm giving the entire reflector a bath in vinegar and water... doesn't seem like its really working... any other options? Here is a picture of what's on it.. is it salt creep corroding the reflector?

 

[mbg75]

Wow, was there an acrylic splash shield on it?

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[richardhmc]

nope

 

[ryangrieder]

Yeah your reflectors look shot. How high up do you keep your light from tank? I have a tek elite 6 bulb, 1 food above my tank, and never had to clean them yet, they still look brand new. When I do clean anything though, I use Kent product glass/acrylic cleaner.

 

[richardhmc]

I use the tek legs.. and my light is probably about 4-5 inches above water

 

[lfsmarineguy]

Short of polishing the entire reflector I would have to agree that it looks damaged. I know Sunlight sells replacement reflectors and the shields which I highly recommend if you get a new reflector. It's easier to wipe down acrylic than constantly clean the reflectors.

 

[richardhmc]

Short of polishing the entire reflector I would have to agree that it looks damaged. I know Sunlight sells replacement reflectors and the shields which I highly recommend if you get a new reflector. It's easier to wipe down acrylic than constantly clean the reflectors.

haha I like how you called it damaged. Yeah that's what I figured. Ah well. I didn't think that salt could do this much damage.. what are these reflectors made out of anyways?

EDIT: found out its aluminum.. if it was like stainless steel salt would damage it right?

 

[lfsmarineguy]

Yeah they're aluminum. Even some grades of stainless would corrode though. I would definitely get a shield this time around. It could have been a lot worse had the components been compromised you would be looking at a whole new light.

 

[TheHun]

i'd recommend getting a new reflectors...

http://bit.ly/oGoTyl

 

[richardhmc]

I'll just put it back together and leave it like that for now...

if it shines... its fine

 

[lfsmarineguy]

Just get the shield so it doesn't get any worse.

 

[richardhmc]

alright

 

[jerl77]

Shot get new ones I clean mine with warm water

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[zlin0524]

i clean them with RODI water , and paper towel

 

[richardhmc]

my anemones have lost all of their color and have shriveled up.
my corals aren't as big and fluffy as they used to be.
and some of my corals are on their way out.

could these reflectors be the problem?

 

[JonnyJ]

Do a series of waterchanges!

 

[richardhmc]

It could be so many different things that could be going wrong! from lighting to water quality.

I just did a 10 gallon water change two days ago for my 50 gallon tank but I saw no difference

 

[JonnyJ]

I would suggest that you continue doing the water changes, make sure your temperature and salinity are stable.

If you don't start to see an improvement in a few days, I would then Switch out the bulbs,raise the fixture, and lower your light cycle while your corals adjust to the new bulbs.


What are you testing with? How is your alk?


I don't think it's the light , I'm leaning toward water quality

 

[skene]

try some polishing compound like the ones used for cars. It will take off oxidation... just remember to clean it all off afterwards... you do not want any of it to fall into the tank.

 

[richardhmc]

how much of an affect would the messed up reflectors have compared to new replaced reflectors?