tek t5 lighting 6 or 8 bulb ....thoughts?

[larryfl1]

Hey all,

I think i am leaning towards the tek t5 lighting... IT doesnt have a fan so should be really quiet...

whats everyones thoughts on these?

do they look nice?

should i go 6 or 8? 8 kind of seems overkill to me.....

it will be a 125 gallon 48x24x25 mixed reef


thanks

[dan223]

I also considered it, after adding on cost of splash shield not all that much cheaper than a top of the line ATI sunpower which puts out alot more light. Also I have heard of ballasts on tek burning out if you use the shield. Ive seen what happens with them when you dont use sheilds, the reflectors went to crap and coating peeled. I have the sunpower and can say its the most quiet fixture Ive heard so far, very happy I didnt try to skimp a hundred bucks to settle for way cheaper built product. Its too bad I would rather buy an american product but wont pay top dollar for middle shelf product. Oh yeah the ATI doesnt screw around with extras either, comes with splash shield and hanging kit.

[tatoofr]

I agree, buy once not twice.

[larryfl1]

ok you convinced me... ati it is...

if i am buying is the powermodule worth the price difference over the sunpower???

sunpower is only 6 bulbs is that sufficient for 48x24x24 ???

is the single fan on the sunpower quieter then the multifan of the powermodule?

so confused.... which one and how many bulbs...

[tatoofr]

Hi,
I have the same size tank,
Depends what you want to keep, if its SPS like my tank I would get the ATI 8 bulb PM.
The fans are dead silent,
Frankhttp://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll49/tatoofr/100_3392.jpg

[larryfl1]

looks great.....

now the problem is how do i secure to the cieling..i assume my studs are not where i want them...and i dont have attic access in this room.....

[larryfl1]

looks great..... that is 8 bulb power module??

now the problem is how do i secure to the cieling..i assume my studs are not where i want them...and i dont have attic access in this room.....

[tatoofr]

Yes its the 8 bulb, You would use toggle bolts.

[larryfl1]

toggles in the rock are strong enough??? i would have thought not...thats great if it is.....

also how do you move the hood away to work in the tank? so you have open area above???

[tatoofr]

Yes, Im not sure what kind my friend hung it but they were big *** toggles. To work on the tank you pull on the cable and it locks it up. The hanging kit comes with the light.

[KMP]

not trying to sway your opinion and i know the ATI is a better fixture - but to say the Tek is not much cheaper isn't accurate. check out these websites:

48" Tek T5 8 bulb w/splash guard before bulbs = $459 (at That Fish Place)

https://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/order/removeFromCart.web?orderLineIndex=1

48" ATI 8 bulb before bulbs = $999 (Reef Geek)

http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_Fluorescent/ATI/Powermodule_Fixtures/

get an 8 bulb, better front to back span for your 24" deep tank and gives you better color variation/choice in bulbs.

[larryfl1]

i see you have an oceanic tech tank....

that is my next dillema...

it is only starphire on the front... we will be sitting and looking at a side and the front....

tech 120 is like 800 custom starphire 3 sides is 1300

[James77]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15172109#post15172109 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by KMP


48" ATI 8 bulb before bulbs = $999 (Reef Geek)

http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_Fluorescent/ATI/Powermodule_Fixtures/

get an 8 bulb, better front to back span for your 24" deep tank and gives you better color variation/choice in bulbs.

$999 gives you the 8x54 watt ATI PM with bulbs. Add bulbs to that Tek, and it is ~$635, with no active cooling.

I saw a thread recently testing the Tek against other fixtures though, and it actually did better than the active cooled ones(not the Powermodule).

[James77]

Larry-

For a mixed reef, I would do a 6 bulb ATI(if you want ATI)-in which case I would look at the Sunpower, same performance as the PM but a couple hundred less. If you were mostly SPS, or wanted more color options, I would the get the 8 bulb.

[James77]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15172196#post15172196 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by larryfl1
i see you have an oceanic tech tank....

that is my next dillema...

it is only starphire on the front... we will be sitting and looking at a side and the front....

tech 120 is like 800 custom starphire 3 sides is 1300

Not sure on the opening size on the Tech tank, but it may limit you to 6 bulbs. Do you have anyone near you with a tech? You could see it in person and see if the Starphire vs Green glass is even noticeable enough to warrant spending another $500 for 3 sides.

[KMP]

james, you are right - thanks for clarifying i swooped in on the wrong one.

larry - i got my tech tank when they first came out. i forget all the jibbersh regarding the tech tanks, but do know that when they first started building them they were starphire on 3 sides. then (i think after nov 07) they went to starphire only on the front. don't hold me to that - long time since i've read on it. there's a tech owners thread somewhere that talked about it.

[larryfl1]

with the 8 bulbs any issues with it being too much light for soft corals , mushrooms and fish?? or is it just get them used to it.....

[larryfl1]

frank,

which bulbs are in your 8 bulb unit? it is a very nice color

[tatoofr]

Larry,
Front to back,
2-ATI Aqua special
1 guiesmann Actinic plus

1 ati pro color
1 ati aqua special
1 guiesmann actinic plus
2 ati aqua special