I have a 75 gallon long tank (18" deep) and I wanna get a Tek T5 setup, will 4-54W bulbs be good enough considering the tank I have, or should I get the 6-54W bulb setup? I want to pretty much keep anything that interests me (SPS etc.). Also, which bulbs would you recommend? I want to bring out true colors, but kinda lean towards the blue (I like that highlighter effect that the corals give). Thanks for any info!!!
Tek T5 setup, how many bulbs??
- Thread starter kidchill
- Start date
Do yourself a large favor and look at the Aquactinics 5 bulb fixture. The TEK isnt fan cooled and with the acrylic shield the PAR really drops on the T5's. The Aquactinics TX5 is fan cooled, better reflectors and competitive in price. You'll get more output from that 5 bulb fixture than the TEK 6 bulb and even the TEK 8 bulb with the acrylic shield in use on the TEK. The Aquactinics does have a splash shield but the way it is designed, the bulbs are still properly cooled with the shield in place.
The extra heat from not having fan cooling in the TEK really hurts output more than people know. And if you dont use the acrylic lens, the bulbs get salt spray and the reflectors tarnish and Sunlight Supply that makes the TEK is notorious for not honoring the warranty.
The TX5 is about $350 bucks. There is a dealer locator on the Aquactinics site. It may not look as cool to some people but it is a nice looking fixture and much better design as well as far more effective watt for watt. I'm not suggesting the product because I use one, I dont have an Aquactinics fixture and am not affiliated with the company. Just giving you information and trying to help.
http://www.aquactinics.com/index.php
The extra heat from not having fan cooling in the TEK really hurts output more than people know. And if you dont use the acrylic lens, the bulbs get salt spray and the reflectors tarnish and Sunlight Supply that makes the TEK is notorious for not honoring the warranty.
The TX5 is about $350 bucks. There is a dealer locator on the Aquactinics site. It may not look as cool to some people but it is a nice looking fixture and much better design as well as far more effective watt for watt. I'm not suggesting the product because I use one, I dont have an Aquactinics fixture and am not affiliated with the company. Just giving you information and trying to help.
http://www.aquactinics.com/index.php
No, or not signifigantly because the Aquactinics fixture is fan cooled. There is a tunnel cooling effect with the cover on which keeps the bulbs cooled. The TEK has no fan cooling at all so heat build up is pretty extreme with the cover on and the PAR drops signifigantly. Some reports have been that it drops to half of that of a fan cooled fixture with the same wattage and amount of bulbs.
I want to mention that I have no affiliation with either company and I am not using an Aquactinics fixture or anything from Aquactinics for that matter. In fact, I own several products from Sunlight Supply ... ballasts and reflectors. I'm just passing on information to help the posters make an informed decision.
The TEK fixtures work and I'm sure that there are lots of reefers with beautiful tanks under TEK lighting. Just that with the passive cooling, heat is a definite issue and the drop, in par does not make for efficient use of T5's. TEK could remedy this with a well designed fan / fans addition but they havent done so as of yet.
I want to mention that I have no affiliation with either company and I am not using an Aquactinics fixture or anything from Aquactinics for that matter. In fact, I own several products from Sunlight Supply ... ballasts and reflectors. I'm just passing on information to help the posters make an informed decision.
The TEK fixtures work and I'm sure that there are lots of reefers with beautiful tanks under TEK lighting. Just that with the passive cooling, heat is a definite issue and the drop, in par does not make for efficient use of T5's. TEK could remedy this with a well designed fan / fans addition but they havent done so as of yet.
jayke
New member
I'll have to disagree with the heat issue. I have a Tek light over my tank. The fixture is slotted on the top, and given open space (ie. not retrofit into a canopy) mine stays relatively cool. Now I do not use the acrylic shield as I would bet that it would add to the heat issue. I chose not to use the acrylic shield due to that causing the drop in par, not the heat. It has been shown on other threads that the par values have been measured to drop 3-6% due to the acrylic regardless of the Tek or Aquactinics. The shield somewhat distorts (mabe not the best term) the light, thus reducing the output, especially if they are not regularly cleaned. You do need to be more vigilant with cleaning as you do not want the reflectors to get salt creep on them. Most hobbyists (with Metal halid, flourescent, etc...) choose to run their tanks without glass or acrylic covers for enhanced light penetration. That and the fact that it adds to improved gas exchange at the water surface.
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Sorry guys but the Par decrease has been measured. You'll have to do your own search if you want to. I really don't have any desire to get into a ****ing contest. I know what I'm relaying here is accurate info and thats all that matters to me. The original poster can do whatever he wants to with the information.
And, just because I pass along information suggesting a look into an Aquactinics fixture before buying the TEK does not mean I'm pimping for Aquactinics or anyone else. I'm suggesting what I and many others feel (for real reasons) is the better designed more effective (watt for watt) product at similiar price point. It's done here many times per day. I'm sorry that the TEK owners see it as some type of criticism.
The acrylic shield on any T5 fixture will reduce PAR slightly, that is true. But the lack of a fan and the use of the Shield does make for a signifigant drop in par as stated. The vent slots do not do an adequate job of removing heat from the fixture when the shield is in place. It's that simple.
I own 2 Blue Wave ballasts, 2 Lumenmax Reflectors and a pair of Wiring harnesses, all from Sunlight Supply. I'm extremely happy with all of them.
I own NONE of the Aquactinics products. I don't know the owner or anybody who is affiliated with the company.
My only motive, once again, was to suggest that the Original poster consider the Aquactinics over the TEK for the reasons stated.
And, just because I pass along information suggesting a look into an Aquactinics fixture before buying the TEK does not mean I'm pimping for Aquactinics or anyone else. I'm suggesting what I and many others feel (for real reasons) is the better designed more effective (watt for watt) product at similiar price point. It's done here many times per day. I'm sorry that the TEK owners see it as some type of criticism.
The acrylic shield on any T5 fixture will reduce PAR slightly, that is true. But the lack of a fan and the use of the Shield does make for a signifigant drop in par as stated. The vent slots do not do an adequate job of removing heat from the fixture when the shield is in place. It's that simple.
I own 2 Blue Wave ballasts, 2 Lumenmax Reflectors and a pair of Wiring harnesses, all from Sunlight Supply. I'm extremely happy with all of them.
I own NONE of the Aquactinics products. I don't know the owner or anybody who is affiliated with the company.
My only motive, once again, was to suggest that the Original poster consider the Aquactinics over the TEK for the reasons stated.
jayke
New member
I didn't see it as criticism. Most articles I have read in researching the T5 lightning have attributed the acrylic shield for the drop in par and excessive heat as reducing the overall life of the lamp.
With that said, my opinions offered were based on my experiences with the fixture in question which I happen to own. I can tell you that it can get warm to the touch, but not as hot as you think it does. Tek fixtures have been a quality fixture for some time now. Not saying that the newer fixtures that come out are better or worse, but you are giving advice on the better fixture when you do not own either or have any personal experience with either.
With that said, my opinions offered were based on my experiences with the fixture in question which I happen to own. I can tell you that it can get warm to the touch, but not as hot as you think it does. Tek fixtures have been a quality fixture for some time now. Not saying that the newer fixtures that come out are better or worse, but you are giving advice on the better fixture when you do not own either or have any personal experience with either.
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jayke
New member
I think the misconception that a lot of people have is that since the Tek fixtures have no fans (like a lot of the other T5 fixtures) that they get too hot. They are designed this way purposely. They are slim and the components are spread out inside the fixture with adequate ventalation. I think the important thing to look for in a T5 fixture is one that has individual reflectors which makes use of the T5 bulbs more efficiently then one with a single reflector. Both the Tek and Aquactinic fixtures have individual reflectors making them good fixtures. Not sure heat would be the issue in choosing one over the other, as I have not noticed any excessive or "extreme" heat.
It has been proven that heat build up drops the PAR...
I don't know if it is half like DarG wrote...
If you combine an acrylic shield and a fan, air is pulled in one side the fixture and pushed out the other creating a "tunnel cooling effect". this is obviously more efficient than a fan cooled fixture with no acrylic lens.. the fan would just be moving the air in the immediate area of the fan....
So it makes sense that even though you may loose a miniscule amount of PAR from the acrylic lens, having a acrylic lens on a fan cooled system is important.
if you have a fixture with a acrylic lens and no fan... you are not getting anywhere near the optimum lighting from your fixture... for 1, you are trapping the heat within the fixture (even if you have a couple slots..), AND you have the PAR loss from the acrylic lens...
if you have a system with no fan and no acrylic shield, the heat build up will be much less, but still enough to diminish the performance of the bulbs.. AND you get salt creep on your reflectors and everything....
In my opinion... The aquactinics fixture is a better buy... Better reflectors, fan cooled, and acrylic splash guard. Plus, supposedly much better service.
I don't know if it is half like DarG wrote...
If you combine an acrylic shield and a fan, air is pulled in one side the fixture and pushed out the other creating a "tunnel cooling effect". this is obviously more efficient than a fan cooled fixture with no acrylic lens.. the fan would just be moving the air in the immediate area of the fan....
So it makes sense that even though you may loose a miniscule amount of PAR from the acrylic lens, having a acrylic lens on a fan cooled system is important.
if you have a fixture with a acrylic lens and no fan... you are not getting anywhere near the optimum lighting from your fixture... for 1, you are trapping the heat within the fixture (even if you have a couple slots..), AND you have the PAR loss from the acrylic lens...
if you have a system with no fan and no acrylic shield, the heat build up will be much less, but still enough to diminish the performance of the bulbs.. AND you get salt creep on your reflectors and everything....
In my opinion... The aquactinics fixture is a better buy... Better reflectors, fan cooled, and acrylic splash guard. Plus, supposedly much better service.
My facts are correct and you are just being defensive because you own a TEK and I was critical of it. I clearly stated that the heat build up WITH the Acrylic shield in place was extreme enough to signifigantly reduce the par of the T5's. It's not just the shield, it is the heat accumulated when using the shield.
I also NEVER stated that it was a 50% reduction in par. I stated that some reported as much as 50% and I dont think I mentioned that in this thread. But the reduction in PAR due to heat build up with the shield in place is signifigant and again, not because of the reduction from the shield itself, but the reduction due to the heat from using the shield.
And Jayke ... I do not have to own everything I comment on. Reading reviews, user experiences, test reports, specs and general understanding and knowledge of how things work along with common sense is enough for people to be able to comment on things like equipment and be accurate in adding their input.
I don't have to own a TEK or an Aquactinics T5 fixture to know which one is the better designed fixture. I know enough to know that the TEK with the shield in use runs too hot and the bulbs lose signifigant PAR making the Aquactinics more effective with the shield in use. I know enough to know that the reflectors are better in the Aquactinics. I know enough to know that the reflectors stain if not cleaned of salt spray routinely in the TEK and maybe in the Aquactinics too. But atleast you can use the shield/lens in the aquactinics and not take a signifigant hit in PAR because of the fan cooling. And I know enough to know that Sunlight Supply doesnt like to cover warranty issues so you better take care of those TEK reflectors.
I'm sorry that the TEK owners are offended, get over it, you own an inferior fixture compared to the Aquactinics.
scotmc
Moved On
The only matter that offends me, is your ignorance with heat issues. I am still waiting for all your knowledge on the extreme heat a Tek fixture generates. The past posts stated without the use of a shield. Of couse you don't provide any information. Two owners have stated no real heat increase without the use of a shield. I think thats some good input.
"I know enough to know that Sunlight Supply doesnt like to cover warranty issues so you better take care of those TEK reflectors." Since you do not own one, how would know?? You read internet posts to make your assumptions?
As far as Aquactinics, it looks like a good product. It's $160.00 more than a Tek. If I did not get my Tek for free, I would have considered it. I have had zero problems with my Tek and has preformed well. It sounds like you have some underlying feeling about Sunlight Supply. I suggest using a product before stating how inferior they are. You just lose so much creditabilty with your statements.
Do you own a tank, or just read up on them??
"I know enough to know that Sunlight Supply doesnt like to cover warranty issues so you better take care of those TEK reflectors." Since you do not own one, how would know?? You read internet posts to make your assumptions?
As far as Aquactinics, it looks like a good product. It's $160.00 more than a Tek. If I did not get my Tek for free, I would have considered it. I have had zero problems with my Tek and has preformed well. It sounds like you have some underlying feeling about Sunlight Supply. I suggest using a product before stating how inferior they are. You just lose so much creditabilty with your statements.
Do you own a tank, or just read up on them??
This is common knowledge, Tek fixtures suffer from poor craftsmanship (reflectors stain/pit easily), poor cooling (no fans), and bad service from sunlight supply.
My T5 retro kit is in an open air aluminum frame in a room that stays 70 degrees and I *STILL* require cooling, put a thermometer near your bulb, if it registers higher than 95 degrees you are losing par, period, end of discussion.
The hostility of this thread is sort of weird, the guy is not making this stuff up it is pretty much common knowledge in any thread that discusses T5 units. Hop over to the T5 Q & A thread and ask what people think of the Tek fixtures vs Aquatinics if you don't believe me.
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