If you were buying a new T5 fixture...

maddog

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Would you get:

A) Sunlight Supply Tek Light
B) AquaticLife T5 with Lunar LEDS

6 lamp fixture. Please explain why.

thanks
Chris
 
I like the Tek fixtures as I've worked on them a few times (modded). Always a good quality fixture.

I have no experience with the AquaticLife fixture.
 
I use a Tek light and love it and the quality. I dont know much about the Aquaticlife fixtures but love that they have the built in lunar lights.
 
I have the 72" Aquaticlife Fixture - 6 lamp/12 bulb. i have no experience with the Tek but I hear they are reputable.

Pros:
1. All in one design, one cord
2. Individual timers for each function
3. Easy to assemble & Set up
4. Bulbs are included in Price
5. Built in fans

Cons:
1. See #1 above, I cant run this unit thru my controller and get the results I want. my fault since I bought the light before the controller.

Overall I am very pleased with its functionality. I personally feel the moonlights are a little too bright and i dont think you can turn them off individually or not - either all on or all off.

The unit gets hot but as hot as you can expect with nearly 500 watts going in an enclosed canopy - I get about a 2 degree swing in temp when the lights are all on - nothing like MH though.
 
i have tek 4 x 54 and i love it but no exp with the other brand...mines very reliable and easy to clean..
 
Thanks for the quick replies guys. looks like they are both great fixtures. Ive been doing some research and it has come down to these 2. I just don't want to make any quick decisions.
 
The AquaticLife ones have been getting great feedback. They are selling out quickly though. I know the mfg is due to receive a new shipment soon.

I have no experience with the Tek fixtures, but the AquaticLife ones are nice.

Jenn
 
Jenn,

Do the Aquaticlife ones come with the leg mounts? Or is that separate?
 
Maddog;504457 wrote: Thanks for the quick replies guys. looks like they are both great fixtures. Ive been doing some research and it has come down to these 2. I just don't want to make any quick decisions.

You have narrowed down to two great options I think and more then likely can not go wrong with what you choose :up:
 
I believe they come with legs. Yep - just checked a 4-lamp setup I have here at the shop (sold)...

I believe they also offer optional hanging hardware - that is sold separately.

I know the 6-lamp models are selling out fast. The manufacturer is currently out of stock but they are taking orders for the next batch due in soon. I have a few customers wanting them, so I'll be putting an order together in the next few days to a week.

Jenn
 
Not sure if any local sponsors carry them but another fixture to look at is the Aquactinics (
a>).  Pricewise, they may be a bit more but the relectors they use are better.  They are also actively cooled (if the acrylic shield is used) which also adds to the PAR produced.  Sunlight Supply's upgrade of the Tek fixture, the Tek Elite, is supposed to also be actively cooled but they haven't made it to market yet.
 
I spoke with Tim at Keen Reef yesterday and he mentioned the Tek Elites. From the way he talked I got the impression they were out.
 
Don't forget the ATI fixtures. They are considered the Cadillac by many. The Tek fixtures are also very good. I own an Aquactinics Solar Flare and it has the highest output 6 bulb you can get due to the bulbs being overdriven (Icecap 660 & 430). The build quality of it is not nearly as good as the ATI or Tek units. I would get an ATI if I had it to do over.

Jonathan
 
I have the 72" aquatic life 8 lunar 8 bulb its been growing all my corals great including my sps. And the costumer service with aquatic life is awesome! My control panel got some water in it and i called and asked if it was under warranty but before i could even prove if and when i bought it they shipped out the new control panel the day i called just so my corals would not suffer and told me how to bypass it temp. I love the aquatic life system best choice i made since changing from my old power compacts! And yes mine came with mounting legs.
 
I've got a 30" AquaticLife T5HO with 4 bulbs and 2 lunar LEDs on a 30 gallon tank. I like it for the reasons mentioned earlier (single cord, integrated controller, etc), as well as the fact that it is pretty low profile. I had a piece of glass cut for the top of the tank and have the light just sitting on it rather than using the legs that come with it. Makes for a sleek look. I ordered it through Marine Reef on Johnson Ferry. They have other sizes in stock but didn't carry the 30". They beat any internet price I saw and gave me $20 in "fish bucks" to boot.
 
I'm pretty sure I am going to go with the AquaticLife. I have heard nothing but good things so far.
 
Jonathan;504582 wrote: Don't forget the ATI fixtures. They are considered the Cadillac by many. The Tek fixtures are also very good. I own an Aquactinics Solar Flare and it has the highest output 6 bulb you can get due to the bulbs being overdriven (Icecap 660 & 430). The build quality of it is not nearly as good as the ATI or Tek units. I would get an ATI if I had it to do over.

Jonathan

+1 on Aquactinics brand.

they are a lil more expensive but worth checking out IMO.

ATI also makes a cheaper fixture than the Power Module called the .... something.. or other haha.. cant remember...

But also worth checking out.
B
 
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