View Full Version : tek series
is the tek T5 fixture reflectors considered good. I know T5s depend on their reflectors heavily for performance and i also know the tek has one large reflector that is formed around the bulbs making it "like" individual reflectors. what is the consensus on this design. i'm guessing it falls in between one large reflector and having indvidual relfectors?
I really like the look of the fixture but I am not willing to swap performance for looks, but the sleek look is very important to me too because, it would be for a 30x30x16 rimless, LPS, rics and shrooms. $400 dollar budget. for what I'm keeping i think it should be fine. which one though?
any other recommendations ?
just looking for a little reflector info and maybe a # of bulbs I need...i was thinking 4x39?
James77
05/22/2008, 09:47 PM
They are pretty good lights. They are not actively cooled, which hurts the output, although it is enough for what you are kkeping. The reflectors also stain EXTREMELY easily- I had salt creep on mine for less a week, and they are permanently stained. If you don't mind a few inches hanging off- I would go with the 6x39w tek, $430 w/ bulbs from reefgeek.
CDReefLover
05/23/2008, 12:03 AM
I would suggest 6x39w and keep it higher off the tank since you only have 16" depth. Don't use the acrylic shield and the Tek fixture performs great!
The Grim Reefer
05/23/2008, 01:12 AM
On a 30" tank I would go with 8 lamps. That's only about 16 inches or so of lamps front to back. You don't really need the lamps for intensity over a short tank but you want to cover the footprint. 6 would work if you have the fixture high enough above the tank.
higher off the tank is better to allow for top down viewing. any other fixtures i should look at?
James77
05/23/2008, 05:46 PM
The teks are probably the best in that price range. Other than that- ATI Powermodules. Also at reefgeek, they are much more expensive, but excellent quality/performance.
shag26272
05/23/2008, 08:47 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12597390#post12597390 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by CDReefLover
I would suggest 6x39w and keep it higher off the tank since you only have 16" depth. Don't use the acrylic shield and the Tek fixture performs great!
whats wrong with the shield? I just ordered one to protect my reflectors.
markywmson
05/23/2008, 10:01 PM
the lights/fixture gets really warm without the open air circulating around the bulbs freely. i've seen some people able to mount fans on it to get the air moving, but that's kind of the downfall of the acrylic shield
shag26272
05/23/2008, 10:03 PM
yeah, I actually have 1 120mm fan on top pulling from the vents, I plan to add another this week when I install the shield
no1fishman
05/24/2008, 12:21 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12603279#post12603279 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by shag26272
whats wrong with the shield? I just ordered one to protect my reflectors. SLS is known for passive cooling and for passive cooling to work effectively, the natural heat of the bulbs (not much on 4 bulbs) need to pull air through the fixture as the heat rises. If you use the acrylic shield, it would cut down the flow and heat up the bulbs, which reduces the PAR. Without the shield, the fixture works perfectly, IMO. Just raise it a couple of inches higher so the water doesn't splash on the bulbs or reflectors. Wipe the bulbs and reflectors regularly for sthe slight salt spray and you have a great fixture.
shag26272
05/24/2008, 07:24 AM
yeah, thats what I figured I am going to use the shield along with 2 fans on the top. I will use a thermometer to note the difference
The Grim Reefer
05/24/2008, 01:17 PM
Even with no shield the fixture will pick up better than 20% with a fan blowing on it.
Gomer
05/24/2008, 02:11 PM
I measured a similar affect as Grim using photo exposure as a figure of merit on otherwise identical setups.
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