Equipment - Tek lighting help please

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Tek lighting help please

Printed From: Utah Reefs
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=52450
Printed Date: July 06 2026 at 3:05pm
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Topic: Tek lighting help please

Posted By: Connie
Subject: Tek lighting help please
Date Posted: November 09 2011 at 5:15pm

Coral Reef Eco Systems has a Tek 60 inch T-5 x 8 that includes the bulbs for 735.00. This seems like a good deal to me. I have a 180 with one end totally open that faces a window so cooling is not an issue. I am currently running 3 250 MH so it most certainly cant be hotter than that.

OK, give it to me, why is this a bad deal?

Thanks for your help and advise in advance.....

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I have flying monkeys and I'm not afraid to use them.

180 gallon money pit that I love.....

Replies:

Posted By: Ahanix
Date Posted: November 09 2011 at 5:36pm

If you are prepared to spend that much dont do it for a standard tek fixture. You can get a 6 bulb ATI for cheaper that will put out more light and an 8 bulb for just a hair more. The fixtures are 10x better based on the active cooling alone.

http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_Fluorescent/ATI/SunPower_Fixtures/

Posted By: Connie
Date Posted: November 09 2011 at 5:56pm

Ahanix, thanks for your quick reply. Have you found someone that can get them at a good price? If so, do you mind sharing? I have only been able to find ATI in the 1,200 range and that does not include bulbs.

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I have flying monkeys and I'm not afraid to use them.

180 gallon money pit that I love.....

Posted By: Ryan Thompson
Date Posted: November 09 2011 at 5:58pm

Because you can get it for $70 cheaper from Reefgeek. You will still need some type of fan to cool the Tek unit down and don't use the splash guard. Heat will kill T5 bulbs.

Or

You can get a 6 bulb ATI Sunpower that puts out more light and uses less electricity.

Just a couple options.

Posted By: tileman
Date Posted: November 09 2011 at 5:59pm

Why do you want to change Connie? Just wondering.

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335G Reef
TOTM.
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2015/2/aquarium
ReefKeepers TOTM Feb. 2012
http://reefkeeping.com/joomla/index....k-of-the-month

&

Posted By: Ryan Thompson
Date Posted: November 09 2011 at 6:00pm

I started my post and had to go walk the dog. When I come back, Matt has already stolen my thunder, LOL.

Conne, the Powermodules are expensive but the Sunpowers are much cheaper and just as good.

Posted By: Connie
Date Posted: November 09 2011 at 6:07pm

You guys are great.. thanks for this.

Brad, I am sick of a 450.00 power bill.......

Ok, I have found ATI on Champion lighting but still have questions. 60 inch 60 x 80 w sunpower is 594.95 That I can and will do. Are the ATI bulbs the best for this unit as well? They are only 20 each so adding 120 to the mix is still very reasonable. Its odd, I printed both the sunpower and the powermodule and the specs are identical?

With 6 bulbs I an thinking a mix of true crisp white and 20K atinics is best alternating every other bulb. Am I way off here?

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I have flying monkeys and I'm not afraid to use them.

180 gallon money pit that I love.....

Posted By: Ahanix
Date Posted: November 09 2011 at 6:13pm

What color temp do you want to meet? And yes. Generally you want to stay with ATI bulbs.

Posted By: Connie
Date Posted: November 09 2011 at 6:16pm

I appreciate your help. I am going to stick with the ATI 8x80 watt. Champion has them for 700.00 so saving 150 is not worth losing light.

I have never paid much attention to the rating system. I currently run 14K Blueline bulbs which do put out quit a bit of blue. In fact I have two T-5 true whites to balance it out. I hate yellow and prefer to have a bright crisp blue... Gee I bet that helps a lot.... : )

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I have flying monkeys and I'm not afraid to use them.

180 gallon money pit that I love.....

Posted By: Ryan Thompson
Date Posted: November 09 2011 at 6:33pm

If you are doing the 8 bulb, go with 4 ati blue plus, 2 ati purple plus and 2 ati aquablue.

I don't like the aquablues but if you stick with all ATI bulbs, that's what you use. If the company has the GE 6500k, use one of those add a blue plus. Get rid of the aquablue bulbs.

Posted By: Chad
Date Posted: November 09 2011 at 7:25pm

too bad they don't make the sunpowers in like an 18" long fixture!

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What?! You pooped in the refrigerator, and ate the entire wheel of cheese?! I'm not even mad.... That's actually amazing!