Am I going to have to much light?

[alto]

thinking I will take the reflectors off the T5s and zip tie one upside down to one of the tubes to block it completely almost.

This seems a good way to begin - you can also alternate which tube you block if you feel some plants may need more/less light.

I've used Eco Complete in various tanks, hence my suggestion of enriched substrate 😀 ... but you sound a much more consistent doser (& likely aquarist) than I 😉

 

[alto]

Using a perforated approach has essential the same effect it just more untidy and more work to get all the holes the same size

errrr I was actually planning on buying the already perforated foil 😳

😀

 

[ian_m]

Darkened plastic sheet is another way of reducing light level.

Talks about lumens per litre values as well as the effect of Kelvin temperature.
http://tropica.com/en/guide/make-your-aquarium-a-success/light/

 

[spookyspike]

I've done what I said as a test tonight. I've flipped the reflector on the back tube up, effectively blocking most of its out put, I've also taken the reflector off the front tube. To the eye this looks considerably dimmer / dull.
Enough do we think?
I'll be getting a more tropical suited tube tomorrow as well.

 

[spookyspike]

Ian will have a read of that later, thanks.