Ati or Tek T5

[1chondroman]

Wondering which fixture to go with it's for a 60". Any reason for one being better then the other? And what's the best bulbs to go with?

Chenzo

 

[TreyK]

Ati

 

[ghostman]

ATI has a reputation for superior lighting and reflectors. Their fixtures and bulbs are some of the finest. If I was doing T5s and had the money, I would go with ATI and ATI bulbs as well. I've owned a Tek fixture and was pleased with it, but have seen ATI fixtures that blow it away. HTH

 

[rtparty]

What size tank and what do you want to keep? If this is an SPS dominated tank the answer is different than if you are keeping a fish only system.

We need more info before providing any help.

 

[1chondroman]

It's a 120 gallon 60"x18 1/2"x26". I would like to keep a mixed reef.

 

[mordibv]

It's a 120 gallon 60"x18 1/2"x26". I would like to keep a mixed reef.

Sounds like a 125 gallon to me. Teks have no cooling so as a result they are cheaper but the output is good but not stellar like the ati units .
U could run a fan blowing on the tek to cool it .

I would opt to look at a 60 inch 6 bulb ati sunpower . If you look in the for sale section there was someone selling one at a great price used.

 

[rtparty]

Yep, 6x80w ATI Sunpower is the MUCH better fixture.

9.9/10 times I will recommend ATI but you will always have to know what is being lit.

 

[Akrite]

ATI all the way. Purchased a ATI PM 8x54w 2 years ago for my 120g 4x2x2 and my color and growth looked amazing. The reflector on the ATI really make all the deference. If your going T5 you need ATI's. Now figuring out your bulb combo will be another question.

 

[cody6766]

I have a TEK light and it's a great light. The ATI fixtures are superior, but I didn't think it was worth the money when I was buying mine. I did run ATI bulbs in my TEK light though.

 

[1chondroman]

I was looking at the Ati's on reefgeeks and seems like the only difference between the powermodule and the sunpower is 1 extra fan in the powermodule. Any thing I missed?

 

[jsbzmcdaniel]

Yes the PM has individual reflectors while the SP has one across the entire fixture.

 

[1chondroman]

Are u sure because on the site it said this for both of them. "individual parabolic-style reflectors for each bulb made from silver-coated 98% reflective German-made aluminum".
Doesn't that mean individual reflectors?

 

[Akrite]

This is a sunpower from a thread by Sahin. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1930966

Powermodule

 

[1chondroman]

That's interesting, seems like false advertisement or a typo. Either way thanks for that picture and link. Very helpful.

 

[foxrazr]

Both the Sunpower and Powermodule have individual reflectors. I know because I own a Sunpower 8 x 80W....

 

[gonpostal]

+1. The only differences between the Sunpower and Powermodule are that the Powermodule has a thicker, sturdier body and more fans.

 

[rtparty]

The difference between the sunpower and powermodule is the casing and amount of fans. The reflectors are slightly different but both are individual. The sunpower is a better fixture for the price. The powermodule puts out about 5% more PAR overall.

Gotta love the misinformation.

 

[sucker_fish]

I would go with the ati over the tek. The tek elite fixture does have fans but the ATI is better quality. Another difference is the width of the fixtures, ATI is a bit sleeker, I could fit a 6 bulb tek light on my 90 but I could fit an 8 bulb ATI giving me more light in the tank.

 

[rtparty]

I would go with the ati over the tek. The tek elite fixture does have fans but the ATI is better quality. Another difference is the width of the fixtures, ATI is a bit sleeker, I could fit a 6 bulb tek light on my 90 but I could fit an 8 bulb ATI giving me more light in the tank.

An 8 bulb ATI over a 90 will fry just about anything you try to keep. It is WAY too much. 6 bulbs is all you need over an 18" wide tank.

 

[1chondroman]

Thanks everyone for the input, guess I was confused about it for a little while. So the sunpower wouldnt be so bad after all, I mean I would save about $280. I think I saw something about the sunpower being flimsy. What's that mean exactly? it's gonna fall apart when I change the bulbs? Isn't it made out of the same aluminum as the PM's?