t5 - aquamedic vs tek

[Charlie97L]

i'm looking to a get a t5 setup for a 36x12x20 ish tank. (~40 gal.)

i'm only going to have softies and lps. i'm looking at the aqua medic fixtures and the tek fixtures.

2 questions. 4 bulb or 6 bulb...

and the tek have the ind. reflectors i believe, i'm not sure if the AM does. what would be recommended?

thank you!
charlie

[jc9394]

I don't think AquaMedic makes any T5 fixture, are you referring to Aquactinics?

The TX5 Series Aquactinics 36" 5 lamp T5 fixture will be better than Tek as it has build in fans.

[Charlie97L]

aquamedic does make them, but they dont' seem to have individual reflectors, which basically rules that out.

hm. i know aquatinics has a splash guard, is that really an issue?

[blmeier7]

If you are going to keep softies and LPS I would recommend the 4 bulb fixture.

The only complaint with my T5 fixture is that it does not have built in fans. If I was to buy a new T5 fixture I would buy the Aquactinics.

I use the splash guard on mine but other reefers don't. I would rather wipe down the splash guard than have to clean the bulbs and reflectors. If you do use the splash guard I would recommend having a fan to help cool the fixture.

[Charlie97L]

thanks the aquatinics is a 5 bulb. i appreciate the advice!

[shred5]

Both are great fixtures... both will work... The 40 breeder is a wide tank and may benefit from the 5th bulb esp if you decide to go with a clam or some sps later but the tek will work fine..

Dave

[Charlie97L]

it's not a 40 breeder.

it's a 36x12x20 or something along that line... maybe 22.

i'm leaning to the aquatinic.

[shred5]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10380457#post10380457 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Charlie97L
it's not a 40 breeder.

it's a 36x12x20 or something along that line... maybe 22.

i'm leaning to the aquatinic.

If it is 12 inches wide.. You better look at the width of these fixtures. i know the tek fits my 20 gallon... Are you hanging or putting on the top of the tank?

Dave

[Charlie97L]

on top. i believe the aquatinics 5 bulb is 9.5" front to back, which would work well.

thanks!

[Rouselb]

I have a tek 36" 4 bulb fixture. I have had the fixture for 6 months, and one of the ballast burned out, i sent it back and it has been 2 wks and still no fixture. Sunlight supply sure takes their time with warranty. Nothing like IceCap service, they will have things in and out in one day!

[austinvanover]

Take a look at reefgeek.com, they have really good prices on sunlight supply T5 fixtures. I am running there 6 bulb on 75 gallon and it really puts out a ton of light. The only draw back is that it does not have built in fans but I have not had any heat problems and mine is mounted in my canopy.

[rsw686]

I'm very satisfied with my Aquactinics fixture. The Tek fixture was originally designed for greenhouse use with passive cooling and no splash cover. I choose the Aquactinics due to the active cooling, the splash cover being incorporated into the light design, their customer service, and that it powers 5 bulbs instead of 4.

I would much rather wipe down the splash cover then clean the bulbs and reflectors. Yes you can get a splash cover for the Tek light but then you have a problem with cooling, and I've read that the cover hinders the light output due to its material.

In the end when I priced out the Tek vs Aquactinics so they were both equal with splash covers and standoffs the Aquactinics was only 80 more and that included the 5th bulb. That made the decision right there.

[Charlie97L]

so if i did go 40 breeder, the 4 bulb tek would be ok?

i believe i've found a great deal on one.

thanks!
charlie

[GSMguy]

aquatinics is much better...

[Charlie97L]

is it that much better, or is it just opinion?