T5 HO 8x54w systems - Whats the difference?

rsteagall

rsteagall

New member
I think the "9-bend reflector" is referring to each reflector. Tek Lights have individual reflectors which why its a heck of a lot more over the nova extreme lights.

People dont give T5HO's their credit. I use the nova extreme's and I bleach out acro's in the top 1/4 of the tank in a 75g. The individual reflectors are meant for wider tanks. 1 reflector is good for 6"s of coverage front to back. I have friend who bought the tek light 8 bulbs and used it on a 120g and it was way too much light. He cut it back to 6 bulbs and everthing looks great, even his multiple clams and acro's.
 
The ATIs are supposed to be built like tanks. I've heard they're the best, but I have yet to hear why, if you know what I mean. :) I do know A LOT of people who have bought the ATI have been extremely happy with it... but the same goes for the Tek. Personally, I'm considering the Tek right now instead of a canopy... but we'll see.

Either way, if you'd like to join us in our ReefGeek group order, we very well may hit the 9% mark, plus you get an AWESOME selection of bulbs with your unit, whichever you go with. :)

Brandon
 
Both of them use individual reflectors. Reefgeek actually sells both kinds (they sell TEK too). I've been running T5s for a couple of years, and I can say that the TEKs will work just fine. There is a lot of focus in the equipment forums about "maximizing the PAR". That is, they focus on the technology, and not the corals. IMO, the TEK works fine for the corals. The ATI puts out a bit more PAR and has built-in fans to help cool the bulbs. IMO, it isn't worth the price difference. I have a tek retrofit and installed my own fans to blow across the canopy.

here's the link to the tek stuff at reefgeek:
http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_Fluorescent/Sunlight_Supply/
 
Thanks for the reply guys. I totally missed the TEK's on reefgeek...they advertise ATI on thier front page too much :P A combination of that and me not knowing that "Sunlight Supply" was TEK didn't help either.

Guys... I'm probably going to be getting a 60" by 30" or 36" wide tank. Do you believe the 48" 8x54W TEK will suffice for ALL of my lighting needs?

Thanks!
 
The length shouldn't be a problem, but it is only 19" wide. The reflectors mostly blast the light straight down. I think you'd be better off with a canopy and a retrofit that uses the tek 2 reflectors. You could start off with 6 or 8 bulbs and see how they do. If you need to add more bulbs, just add an additional 2 bulb setup. If you go with a fixture and need more bulbs / width, then you are kind of stuck.

Spend some time researching some more before jumping in with T5s as lighting. I like mine and am getting good color, but there are drawbacks. I keep mostly light loving animals. In my opinion, one of the drawbacks of T5s is they blanket the whole tank with light. Lower light corals don't do so well unless there is shade which can be harder to come by with T5s. With halides you have higher light zones and lower light zones, so it is easier to keep a mixed reef. T5s are a bit cooler, I think, and can save some $ on bulb replacements and less energy utilization. All that said, I like my T5s. My SPS has grown enough now to provide some shade so my rics are a bit happier :)
 
Ugh... I was really liking the idea of an all in one unit to accomplish All the lighting needs. I think if I do my columns like I'm thinking... it shouldn't be too much of a challenge to have some shade. I appreciate the info though. Research or not... I still seem to fail :P.

So if I go with T5HO retro, you're thinking that 6-8 bulbs will still be enough?

If I don't go with all T5HO and opt to do a T5/Halide system, can you recommend something that isn't a retro that can accomplish it ALL for that sized tank with about a 24" depth?

I'd like to do an open top if whatever I go with has limited light spill.
 
you can get 60" T5HO bulbs, not sure who makes the units, but Im sure you could easily do a retro with them.

19" wide light will cover 24-30"s easily. Like I side, my buddy has it on a 24" wide tank, and its too much light.
 
I just double check my Tek light, because one of my bulbs went out and I remember the coversation about individual parabolic reflectors and aquaman67 was correct. I have 6-bend reflector and not six individual reflectors. I really thought they were individual reflectors but I guess there not.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11384145#post11384145 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by chriis716
I just double check my Tek light, because one of my bulbs went out and I remember the coversation about individual parabolic reflectors and aquaman67 was correct. I have 6-bend reflector and not six individual reflectors. I really thought they were individual reflectors but I guess there not.
Click to expand...

but it works as individual reflectors right..meaning each bulb isnt competeing with the others for reflector space, correct?
 
Just to double check on bulb lengths to tank lengths....Sorry... I'm still confused.

The Tek 8x54W fixture is 47.0" x 20.0" x 2.5". With that said, will a 48" bulb or fixture cover the length for a 60" tank? This particular fixture I mention is 20" wide. Will this suffice for a 30" wide tank? Anyone have a 30"-36" wide tank with T5's in the area?

What length bulbs and configuration might be suggested for a 72" tank?
 
That would be 6" on each end, and 5" on the front and back of the tank that would not be directly under the light. These areas would still get light, so that is probably okay.

For a 72" tank, I think you are looking at sets of 36" T5s end-to-end (34" bulbs @ 39W each).
 
Cool.

I'm trying to settle in either on a GC 240wide or a 195-5 wide. Hard to believe that 1' is making this decision so hard, but I'm certain the MRC MR2 skimmer will be sitting on one side of the tank or the other and I'm conflicted about how much room I'll need. But I keep leaning toward the 195 at the moment.

Can you suggest a bulb combination to go with 8x54W fixture? I tend to like more blue and definitely want colors to pop.

Also, would anyone happen to know if any sponsors like Reef Geek will be at the swap selling stuff (discounted)? :)

Thanks,
Ryan
 
Do the 240... you can always add more bulbs... can't always add more gallons! :D

ReefGeek is (obviously ;) ) doing the group order discount and they're sponsoring our swap, but I don't think they're going to be there. Jack can let us know.

Brandon
 
Thats kind of the reason I'm steering away from the 240... the lighting maintenance cost is pretty much 2x for 1 more foot. Maybe I shouldn't even be thinking T5... especially if I do a 240g :(
 
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