Tek light 8X54W too overkill for 55g? Steal price. Quick advice needed!

[aseems86]

Just dipped my toes into corals with Trachs, caulastrea, acanthastrea, torch, frogspawn, and zoos. In a 55g 48'L 20'D ~13'w.

Currently running 2 bulb Aquaticlife t5 HO w/10k+actinic. In the t5 thread, I learned I am at the low end of acceptable. Last night, purchased 1 ATI blue+ and 1 ATI aquablue special to replace the stock bulbs.

However today I have a chance to buy a Sunlight Tek Light 8X54w that's 48' long, and 19' wide, for a only 200$ (retail 370). I know that it is too wide for my tank, and perhaps too much light, but its almost what I'll pay for a 2 or 4 light t5. I would be making my aquaticlife useless, and scratching my plan of buying a 2 light t5 to pair with it for 4 total. I know that 4 or even 6 t5's is more sensible, and would look less crass. But they cost the same.

However, even if I have to have the huge teklight 4 or 5 inches off the back of the tank and 2 in the front, wouldn't it be a smarter choice? I could run 6 bulbs in it if PAR is an issue, and/or use more actinics. I think it would give me the option to add SPS later. I see a tank upgrade in my future, but with a 48' light I think im limited to the 120 rather than the 72' tank sizes. Is hanging a 48' light above a 72' nonsense? Welcome any opinions, as I have to make the decision in the next 12 hours.

thanks everyone.

 

[Zebodog]

First off, I would question why it's so inexpensive.

You'll also find that working in the tank a pain as you'll have to move the light out of the way each time (if mounted on the tank; not such a problem if it's suspended but still could be an issue.)

The fixture will bleed a lot of light in the front and the back to the point of being obnoxious if the room is used for anything other than the tank.

If it were me, I would pass.

 

[FormulatedFire]

I would take it and if you upgrade in the future you'll be prepared. If you don't buy it i'm in the market for a light for my 75 let me know who's selling i'll take it...=)

 

[Saltwatercoral2]

for 200 I would take it and then it gives you a reason to upgrade!

 

[rtparty]

Pointless IMO.

Spend $200 on another 2 bulb unit and have 4 bulbs over your tank.

Do you know how old the bulbs are in the Tek? If they need replacing you are talking about another $200 right there.

Does the Tek have the hanging kit or legs? If no, add on another $25-50.

You will have 3-4 bulbs that are completely wasted with 8 bulbs. 4-5 bulbs is all you need over a 55g to keep anything you want.

I would bet that by the time you upgrade, LED's will be affordable and a much better option then a Tek.

Heck a Reefbrite LED strip added to your current lighting would up it quite a bit! Get the 50/50 strip and retro it on somehow.

 

[aseems86]

great input so far, thank you all.

Good point Zebo, I would leave the front one or two blank to prevent horrible light overflow, as the tank is in the kitchen.

rtparty, its new so no bulbs and no legs, since I ordered the 2 new t5's, would just use the 4 bulbs I have for the time being, buy 2 more in a week. But very valid point, same money might be wiser spent on something tank appropriate. Just hard to justify paying the same for less JUICE:uzi:

 

[derek4real]

I have 8 bulbs on my 40B and I am happy with my results. Using a 48" TEK 8 bulb on a 36" 40B Breeder. I had a 75 gallon leaked on me and that's why it's on my 40B, if anyone was gonna ask why i have a 48" light fixture on a 36" tank.

If you have a standard 55 gallon, I would suggest getting a 4 bulb TEK, great fixtures.

 

[sjkarrow87]

i had the same aquatic life link fixture (2 of them) over my 55 and i had anemones and clams on the bottom. yes i did upgrade the lights to all ATI/KZ but the fixtures put out plenty of power for a 55.

 

[cody6766]

Assuming there isn't anything wrong with the light, I'd get it. There's nothing that says you can't run 4 of the bulbs instead of all 8 if you don't need them, and then you'll have room if an upgrade comes later.

 

[jimmy frag]

8x54 watt is a smoking fixture, the things you can do with the bulb combo. get it and up grade to a 75 gallon when you can afford the $100

 

[Pallobi]

i say get it, you can use jus the 4 middle bulbs, which would work great for a 55... and youll have one sweet light if you ever upgrade to a 75, 90, 120, or even a 150 for a 5' tank, in my opinion... i say go for it !

 

[Pallobi]

8x54 watt is a smoking fixture, the things you can do with the bulb combo. get it and up grade to a 75 gallon when you can afford the $100

i also use this fixture on my 75, and i get awesome colors, imo, and the light completely covers every inch of the tank, and penetrates well to the bottom

 

[aseems86]

Great advice. New factor in the equation is a 4X54w Tek light that I can purchase for 175$

bit less, fits the current tank. Would 4x54w be underpowered on a 75/90/120? i Know i could get away with it a 70 probably. thoughts?

purchasing one or the other tomorrow. decisions decisions.

Pallobi your tank equipment is pretty drool worthy.

 

[betamed]

I had that fixture on my 150 and I loved it. If you planning an upgrade get the 8 bulb fixture and just run 4 bulbs. It really just depends on if you ever want to go bigger as 4 bulb fixtures might not cut it on a 90gplus tank

 

[OregonReefer]

If you're not going to buy the 8 bulb please PM me the seller info. I'm looking to get one for my 120... I'm sure I could even come up with a finders fee for you

 

[dustinc]

The 8 bulb is way overkill for a 55g. You would have bulbs lighting the floor. A 4 bulb on the narrow of a tank would be far better suited.

 

[magdelan]

8x54 watt is a smoking fixture, the things you can do with the bulb combo. get it and up grade to a 75 gallon when you can afford the $100

I have a 48" 6bulb Tek over my 120. It initially bleached out my corals. These lights are no joke!!! Also, the retail price of $370 is for the fixture ONLY with NO bulbs. Caveat Emptor