Advice on 6 lamp T-5 Fixture.

[Omega_rains]

I just got back into the hoby after 3 year and have to replace an icecap vho 4 lamp system. I am looking at a AquaticLife Six Lamp T5 HO Light Fixture
48" 6 lamp fixture.

How many of you guys are running these and have you had any problems with this product..

Thanks
Rob

[RotaryGeek]

I asked grim in the T5 thread to rate all the fixtures from best to worse, and although he hadn't tested this one, he said he expected it to fall somewhere below the ATI and above the Tek. I guess that makes it a pretty decent fixture. And looks like its priced right imbetween the Tek and ATI too.

[Saltwatercoral2]

I am also trying to figure out if this is a good light, I would like to add one to my breeder tank.. It seems as if noone runs them though, I cant find many reviews about this light anywhere

[Frank789]

Minor issue with AquaticLife is if the timer malfunctions you may have no lights. Also, you probably can't use a controller to get variable dawn/day/dusk periods. Of course, the built in timer can also be very convenient, if you're not using a controller.

[raynist]

I have seen the reflectors on these fixtures and they don't seem to be as good as the tek's.

I though I read were grim said these were one of the worst of the t5 fixtures with individual reflectors.

[RotaryGeek]

Well.... maybe im thinking of another fixture grim rated imbetween the tek and ati. I can't really remember but the name of this one just seems right for the fixture grim told me about.

[Felixc395]

I asked grim in the T5 thread to rate all the fixtures from best to worse, and although he hadn't tested this one, he said he expected it to fall somewhere below the ATI and above the Tek. I guess that makes it a pretty decent fixture. And looks like its priced right imbetween the Tek and ATI too.

Interesting; that suprises me because I have a 30'' 4 bulb 24 watt fixture that on my 37 gallon tha I asked grim about and he said it was a terrible fixture. It would be nice for it to be above a Tek so that another quality fixture would be on the market but base on the results from my fixture I wish that were the truth. I can't stand my fixture I'd give it a 2 out of 10 and only a 2 for the convenience of the timer which I have to admit is rather handy.

[rtparty]

Well.... maybe im thinking of another fixture grim rated imbetween the tek and ati. I can't really remember but the name of this one just seems right for the fixture grim told me about.

You are thinking about the Aquactinics fixtures. The AquaticLife is low end stuff. The reflectors aren't even true individual reflectors.

I thought I read that Aquatic Life was started by a guy who left Current USA.

[Saltwatercoral2]

I am confused on this... Is the aquaticinics a good fixture then? I was thinking about pulling the plug tonight and buying one, glad I hadnt done it just yet.. I will look for a few more reviews, and some more input from here.

[rtparty]

I am confused on this... Is the aquaticinics a good fixture then? I was thinking about pulling the plug tonight and buying one, glad I hadnt done it just yet.. I will look for a few more reviews, and some more input from here.

Aquactinics are great fixtures. They make the Constellation and TX5 and I think one other fixture. To my knowledge it has been near impossible to find anyone with one in stock because Aquactinics stopped producing for a while. (Not positive on this though)

Aquatic Life is a totally different brand and company. Don't get the two mixed up.

[Omega_rains]

Well I have My AquaticLife 6 Lamp installed for 2 days now and I am pretty happy with it. Seems like good construction and everything is modular so if parts go the can be replaced instead of the whole fixture. The reflector in this thing kick @$$ I got mine from Ocean and Seas, It was only 460.00 I could not beat that price anywhere online. So I am very happy so far. The moonlight ligts seem to be a little bright - that's the only negagice thing I can say. Will post some pics soon - tank is still in sad shape. But at least it's clean now ;)

[Omega_rains]

Here are some pics. This is a work in Progress, I gave the tank away 3 years ago and it looked like this -

<a href="http://s857.photobucket.com/albums/ab139/cosmo48045/?action=view&current=l_a22e0dac523bb793ff521e6d34b3bbe1.gif" target="_blank"><img src="http://i857.photobucket.com/albums/ab139/cosmo48045/l_a22e0dac523bb793ff521e6d34b3bbe1.gif" border="0" alt="Old Tank"></a>

And this is it today - I just got it back last Sunday! I added 3 new Hydor Pumps 1 Mag 5 in the center bottom of the tank, and 2 #4 in each corner and a Ocean Pulse wavemaker. The t-5 Lightling... And my Next addition will be a decent skimmer.... I had a reef concept Aerofoamer when I gave it to them, he sold it on craigslist... Fawking Idiot!!!!

<a href="http://s857.photobucket.com/albums/ab139/cosmo48045/?action=view&current=IMG_0925.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i857.photobucket.com/albums/ab139/cosmo48045/IMG_0925.jpg" border="0" alt="fish tank"></a>

<a href="http://s857.photobucket.com/albums/ab139/cosmo48045/?action=view&current=IMG_0924.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i857.photobucket.com/albums/ab139/cosmo48045/IMG_0924.jpg" border="0" alt="Mini Reef"></a>

[amheck]

I asked grim in the T5 thread to rate all the fixtures from best to worse, and although he hadn't tested this one, he said he expected it to fall somewhere below the ATI and above the Tek. I guess that makes it a pretty decent fixture. And looks like its priced right imbetween the Tek and ATI too.

Do you happen to have this list handy?

[rtparty]

Do you happen to have this list handy?


ATI Powermodule
ATI Sunpower
Aquactinics Constellation or TX5
Tek
Sfiligoi (older models)
Current USA, AquaticLife, others in this category
Ebay Specials (avoid IMO)

Grim said he thought that the new Fauna Marin stuff would test out pretty good but he hasn't tested any of it.

That is the best I can remember off the top of my head.

[CMcNeil]

Do you happen to have this list handy?

Aaron,get a 6x39w sunpower if you get the rimless oceanic.it is a perfect fixture for that tank and you can keep just about any SPS anywhere in the tank.i have one over my tank and love it.

[amheck]

Hey Chris, funny, I was just reading up on 4 vs 6 bulb fixtures. Yeah, the ATI looks nice.

I also saw the TX5 has a 5 bulb option, which seemed to be a good middle ground. But I've heard nothing but good things about the ATI's.