Another t5 fixture dilemma
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Category: Specialized Discussion
Forum Name: Equipment
Forum Description: This is the place to ask question about reef equipment.
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=43925
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Topic: Another t5 fixture dilemma
Posted By: kellerexpress
Subject: Another t5 fixture dilemma
Date Posted: October 11 2010 at 2:50am
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So I have already asked a few people about this but I wanted to throw it out there for some more opinions. I am in the process of planning my next tank upgrade which will most likely be a 57 gallon rimless illuminata tank by oceanic. The dimensions are 36x18x21. I am trying to decide on t5 fixture. The tank will be sps dominated but still a mixed reef. I have it narrowed down to the following:
1-Tek Elite 36" 6 bulb.
2-ATI sunpower 36" 6 bulb
3-ATI sunpower 24" 6 bulb
I know ATI are supposed to be the best I get it, but I am worried it will put out TOO much par and I wont be able to keep much lps. Another option would be the run the 24" ATI and have some darker areas on the side. Here is someone elses picture of this exact tank and a 36" ATI fixture and the par readings, he was having problems bleaching lps in the sandbed:
 And finally I am really considering the Tek Elite because its actively cooled and cheaper than the ATI fixtures,(which is a bonus) .I have read that it puts out 20-25% less par than the ATI, which in this case may be a good thing so I dont have to worry about bleaching all my lps.
Help me decide! Thanks!  ------------- IM 30L Kessil A160we x2 |
Replies:
Posted By: CapnMorgan
Date Posted: October 11 2010 at 2:54am
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I use a Tek and love it. Someday I will upgrade but I see no need to in the immediate future. I have no trouble growing anything I want, and have even grown out SPS frags on the sand of my 180. ------------- Steve http://utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40637&PID=356246" rel="nofollow - My Old 180G Mixed Reef Currently: 120G Wavefront Mixed 29G Seahorse & Softies Running ReefAngel Plus x2 435-8 |
Posted By: jcom
Date Posted: October 11 2010 at 3:03am
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If you did the ATI 6 x 24, you'd have some lesser light areas for your LPS, Chalices, etc near both ends of the tank, but lots of juice for your SPS.
I'm having the same thing going on with my new build. It's a 60 x 30 X 24H and I'm getting the ATI 8 X 54. Some may say that it won't be enoungh light for an SPS tank, but I think it will be perfect because I'll have outter edges around the whole tank (peninsula style) to keep low light goodies. Yet all the high light demaning pieces will be getting rained on front and center.
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Posted By: chk4tix
Date Posted: October 11 2010 at 8:33am
I think anyone who says you wont have enough light for SPS in that tank have never used a quality T5 fixture. I have a 6 bulb ATI on a 29" deep tank and the only problem I have is the light can still be too intense for some LPS and softies. ------------- Original Crappy Reef Club Member #2 |
jcom wrote:Posted By: Luckedout
Date Posted: October 11 2010 at 3:06pm
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Sounds like your leaning towards the Tek fixture, but need some convincing that it's the right thing to do to purchase a slightly lesser quality fixture. It sounds like the Tek fits your needs better than an ATI based on your post and research so I say go for it.
------------- -Ben 90g Mixed reef www.body-balancechiropractic.com |
Posted By: chk4tix
Date Posted: October 11 2010 at 4:15pm
I agree... I do have a ATI for my 150g but I did have the non-active cooling TEK on my 120g and if it would have fit, I would have used it on the 150g. I have zero complants for the TEK and it now sits over my frag tank. I was able to get a brand new ATI for only $50 more than the TEK so I went with that. I personally don't think you will have any problems with the TEK ------------- Original Crappy Reef Club Member #2 |
Posted By: kellerexpress
Date Posted: October 11 2010 at 5:06pm
Yes you are right I need some convincing!  w/ bulbs the difference between the the 36" fixtures is $180. $120 for the 24". If it were only a $50 difference I would just get the higher quality fixture but I could buy alot with $180. Any one else have an opinion?------------- IM 30L Kessil A160we x2 |
Posted By: Ryan Thompson
Date Posted: October 11 2010 at 6:23pm
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If you throw two actinics into the 36" Sunpower you will knock PAR down by 150-200 if not more. Plus you will have some sweet dusk/dawn viewing.
I have 2 reasons to not get the Tek. 1) Workhorse ballasts. I just don't like them for T5 usage. They produce less PAR and wear out a bulb quicker. I don't have some study to prove that but it is the consensus among the T5 experts. 2) They have fan issues that Sunlight Supply has been trying to fix. The first repair didn't fix the problem from what I know so they are trying again. The more I read about Tek and Sunlight Supply, the more I lose respect for them and their cutting corners style of business. I say get the ATI. If you upgrade your tank you will get a good portion back with the ATI. They hold their value very well. |
Posted By: kellerexpress
Date Posted: October 11 2010 at 11:28pm
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Damn you Ryan, just when I thought I had my mind made up you had to get me second guessing myself! Ha I'm only joking, thanks for the info. What bulb combo would you run with the actnics? ------------- IM 30L Kessil A160we x2 |
Posted By: Ryan Thompson
Date Posted: October 12 2010 at 8:54am
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2 UVL Super Actinic, 2 ATI Blue Plus, 1 ATI Aquablue and 1 ATI Purple Plus
Another thing you can do is to not run all 6 bulbs at once. Maybe only for a couple hours a day. |