Aquantics vs Sunlight Tek T5 fixture

[Delphinus]

I wrestled with this issue for my planted FW tank, a 65g, wasn't sure whether I'd go Tek 4, Tek 6, or the Aquatinics with 5. Although I didn't end up doing anything just yet, I did at least look at these fixtures with an eye towards what I wanted to get "one day."

Anyhow, one thing I noticed, and this is important if you have a canopy that you don't want to modify - the Tek's ventilate (fan location) out the back, the Aquatinics ventilate out the sides.

So if you have a canopy and you went with the Aquatinics, you'd have to cut holes in the canopy for the fans.

[whosinpower]

Fans and vents on the aquatinics fixture are located on top of the fixture.

[Delphinus]

Sorry, I didn't realize John was looking at the Constellation (guess it helps if I read things ). I had thought maybe the TX5 since it's in the same price category as the Tek 6 lamp.
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merch...de=Aquactinics

The Constellation fixtures and the Solar Flare fixtures are considerably more expensive, so it's probably not a fair comparison to look at those versus a Tek. You usually get what you pay for.. They likely wouldn't sell too many otherwise. If you can afford the upswing in cost, go for it.

[Phanman]

Thx guys, i guess the real question i was trying to ask is if i could get away with just the Tek5 fixture for sps. and get good polp ext. and color. But for an extra few hundred i might as well go all the way.

Now another question for you guys. I can get my hands on an ATI 48" 6x54W Powermodule T5. Is this fixture way better then the aquatinics?

http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_...Fixture_by_ATI

Thanks for helping, i really want to make the right decision here, and not have to upgrade the lighting right away.

Oh and ill be starting a tank journal once the tank is fully cleaned and ready for plumbing assembly

[Delphinus]

Honestly, I seriously doubt one is going to notice a significant difference at this level of lighting. Ie., I'd be surprised if you found yourself kicking yourself in the butt thinking "Man oh man WHY oh WHY did I buy the ATI instead of the Aquactinics?" (or vice versa).

I could be wrong, but that's my take on it nonetheless. I'm sure either fixture will give very good results.

If it was me, I'd go with whatever fixture suits your budget, tastes, and what's easier to order. If they are otherwise equivalent in these factors then I dunno how to pick one over the other. Good luck! And I can't wait to see the tank in action!

[golfbomber]

no matter what you pick don't go with the sls tek, the par sux compared to the other simply due to the fan and individual reflectors.

[kwirky]

If you put a lighting fixture into your hood, your hood fans will swirl air around the fixture but won't directly deal with air trapped inside the fixture. A fixture with active cooling built in will give you 30-50% more light output.

You could install fans in the Tek light fixture if you feel like voiding your warranty. Just don't install a 120cfm 50db noise-monster like I did lol

As for overdriven T5's, normal HO T5's are super bright as it is. I was bleaching a lot of my corals even in the lower extremities of my 24" tall tank with my teklight 8 bulb unit (over a 120g 48x24x24).

I'm trying MH next over my new tank to see how I like it compared to the T5 fixture I had before. I like the idea of versatility in MH's. They work for all sorts of lengths and widths in case you're upgrading the tank down the road. And the new advancements in reflectors is making MH's just as new and exciting as T5's new bulbs (fiji pink for instance).

And "picking the right such-and-such technology so I don't have to buy it again" never works according to plan . I've noticed reef equipment is almost like computers and they become obsolete to something else in a short period.

Oh and that ATI fixture's supposed to be the best you can get in north america. Dig around in RC for Grim's thread on the ATI fixture if you like