T5 lighting ??

Braves Fan · Oct 15, 2011

I am looking to start up a new tank, an SPS tank, first time for me with these type corals. I have a 125 gallon mixed reef tank with 3 250w 14K bulbs over this tank. The new tank that I am wanting to get will be 48x30x25, I really didn't want to use the MH lights over the new tank, I will but really don't want to. I would really like AO SOL Blue LED lights but was looking at a cheaper T5 option. Sooo, I started looking at an ATI 10 bulb light fixture, for the price of this fixture, I could buy the LED option. A knowledgeable reefer in my local forum suggested I look into a Sunlight Supply TEK T5 light fixture. So I did a bit of web searching and found a TEK 54w 48 inch x 8 bulb light fixture. I learned along time ago, price isn't everything and the TEK light is only about a third of the cost of the ATI fixture. Would this light be a good option for me, what are the differences between the ATI and the TEK light fixture? Should I be thinking about this light or should I just bite the bullet and buy the LED lights. To be honest, I am just trying to hold down the start up cost a bit with starting up the new tank.

pumarjr · Oct 15, 2011

Not sure about your T5 questions, but I can tell you that if you even remotely want led's, you miteiswell buy them now if not you will end up buying both. if you save and buy what you really want the first time, even tho the cost is higher, you will not need to buy another light due to you being unhappy with them. i'm waiting for the scotch radions to be released so I can buy two for my tank.
Cheaper does not necessarily mean less money either. Sometimes it means it's cheaper for now, but I will cost you more in the end, or sometimes cheaper means, just that, cheaper. remember, when things sound too good to be true they usually are.

kuyatwo · Oct 15, 2011

If going t5 go 10 bulbs. I had 8 bulb powermodule on 48L x 30 W x 24 T and 8 bulbs does not give you enoug coverage front to back. Also you get less than 100 par on the bottom. I switched to ai sol blue you will need four of them to get good coverage I run them parallel with the tank two on each rail.

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harlequinreefer · Oct 15, 2011

The difference between the ATI powermodule and the SLS Tek is huge. The ATI has better reflectors, ballasts, and cooling which in turn gives great light output. But for the price of the Powermodule & bulbs, you might as well just go the AI SOL Blue route. I have a 140g 48x24x30 with 12 t5's overdriven, and strictly sps. The lighting is great, but the elecrical cost isn't. I plan on going the AI SOL blue route soon.

dakotasreef · Oct 15, 2011

Having owned an Ati fixture, I can tell you it's top notch equipment. The fixtures are built well with great reflectors, ballasts and a great cooling system.

If going with the Tek fixtures, I would look at the Tek Elites. The standard Tek fixtures do not have cooling fans.

In theory, cooling fans are going to lengthen the life of your bulbs.

gar732 · Oct 15, 2011

To echo what others have been saying, the ati is a superior fixture with better reflectors, better ballasts (that are made to run T5s vs workhorse ballasts on the tek which are universal ballasts that aren't designed specifically for T5s), and active cooling. The ati provides more par also. There are threads out there that compare the two fixtures and give actual numbers. I believe the construction is better in the ati as well, how much better depends on if you get the sunpower or powermodule. I've heard many people say that although the powermodule is awesome they would have just bought the sunpower and saved some cash. I myself was looking for a good used ati fixture but came across a new tek fixture for an awesome price and couldn't say no. The tek fixture is a decent fixture and grows coral just fine and has for many people. Don't get caught up on the bells and whistles, while they all have valid uses, are they going to change the way you do things. I think most people change their T5 at about 9mo to a year, are you going to run them longer than that because they are in the ati? If you are going to change them out in the same time frame then you are just looking at more par which is enough to make some people go with the ati.

I would suggest going with a couple AIs and a couple T5 retros and have the best of both worlds. I have both LEDs and T5s and don't think I'll ever go just LED but that's just me.