PDA

View Full Version : 48" TEK T5 or 48" Current HQI/T5 combo


steveoutlaw
02/26/2008, 11:36 AM
I'm going to be keeping a 90g mixed reef. The 2 lights I'm considering are the TEK 6x54w T5 fixture and the Current Outer Orbit 2x150w HQI and 4x54w T5. Does anybody have this Current fixture that can chime in on performance? Is it quiet? does it run cool?

TIA

tpenn187
02/26/2008, 12:11 PM
do they make a outer orbit system with 2 250 watt hqi. i dont think that the 150s will be enough. i have seen several 90's with the 6 bulb tek system on them. have you looked at the aquactinics i have heard good things about them as well. i have a 90 and i went with 2 250 watt metal halides, and i went with this over the tek system because i liked the shimmer effect, and i knew that i could have just about anything with that lighting system.

steveoutlaw
02/26/2008, 12:35 PM
That's one of the reasons I'm considering going with the HQI/T5 combo. I know that the 150w MH won't be enough by themselves but with 4 54w T5s as well.......I was hoping to get the best of both worlds (growth of the T5 and the shimmer of the HQI).

I'm asking about this fixture because I can get a 3 month old one with bulbs for $400.

mile sq. reefer
02/26/2008, 12:54 PM
The current fixture will give enough PAR to keep anything and you cant beat the price. Run AB 10k MH and supplement with T5. I use MH only, Current Sunpod, 2x150w 14k Pheonix on my 55g and like it. Cant comment on T5 bulb selection though.

SimilanRocks
02/26/2008, 01:21 PM
the current will give more light and more heat than the tek for sure. simply you are comparing between the extra 2x54w VS 2x150w.

steveoutlaw
02/26/2008, 01:35 PM
But, the current also has fans to cool it. The TEK fixture does not have any fans. I'm starting to lean toward the Current fixture. Anybody know if the fans are loud? Also, do the T5s have individual reflectors?

steveoutlaw
02/26/2008, 05:43 PM
Anyone?

luke33
02/26/2008, 06:22 PM
Not sure if the fans are loud. The tek's have ind reflectors though. The 150w mh's aren't to hot for taht deep of tank imo. But i don't care for shimmer too, so i'm partial to t5's as they are consistent in coverage, have many options colorwise and the bulb's last for a long time.

chaungo
02/26/2008, 10:05 PM
I've got the Current Nova Extreme Pro 48" 6x 54 fixture. I love it! The fans sound like a small air purifier, so I don't notice it. I replace PCs with this fixture and the temp didn't change a bit probably because of the fans. I highly recommend it for the price. I even kept the stock bulbs in. I may switch out 2 bulbs in the future just for color and par. I saw in a thread that the stock actinic bulbs have a par of 300s and the 10K stock bulbs have par 250s.

chaungo
02/26/2008, 10:06 PM
Oh yea. They have contoured reflectors, not individs. Like one continuous sheet that is bent for each bulb.