t5 fixture opinions

im looking to upgrade my lighting for a 100 gallon sps only tank. here are my options:

tek 8 fixture with bulbs: 500$ (also combined with two VHOs i have laying around already)

or

ATI 8 bulb fixture with bulbs: 1000$

or

ATI 10 bulb fixture with bulbs: 1200$

now, money is tight right now but i could save for the ATI systems if it was necessary but with the tek 8 system would i be at a huge disadvantage from the ATI set up. is it worth saving for or is the tek 8 going to give me great results also. need some opinions.

 

I would get the Tk 8 bulb or an ATI 6 bulb. Both are good fixtures.

what are the measurements of your tank?

 

I vote ATI SunPower if you decide to take the ATI route instead of Tek. You'll save a few hundred $ when compared to the PM and will get the same output. As for 8 vs 10 bulbs it really comes down to your tank dimensions.

 

The Tek fixture will be more than adequate for your needs without the VHO. Just buy ATI, KZ, UVL or Geisemann bulbs.

 

tank dimensions are 48" x 18 x 24

so tek 8 is a good fixture? what is better about the ati 8 bulb vrs the tek 8 besides the high price?

 

The ATI has active cooling, slightly better reflectors and ballasts. If it is the Tek Elite then you can scratch the active cooling comparison.

If the tank is 18" deep then you might have problems with the Tek spilling over the side. You can move some of the ends around and go with 6 bulbs and still have plenty of light for your needs.

 

True. The ATI as true parabolic reflectors while the tek has individual reflectors, but bent out of the same piece of aluminum. I would probably go with the Tek 8 bulb of ATI 6 bulb. What ever fits your budget and tank dimensions better.

 

thanks for the input I'm going to keep reading up before I make the decision. is the tek and ati the best t5 fixtures or are there others to look at also.

 

They are probably the best ready available in the US.

 

the tek 8 bulb is 20" wide and I will be suspending it so bulb to tank might work out ok but is that over kill? the way I look at it is for 100$ more I can get two extra bulbs.. just trying to figure out best set up for sps on my tank. the 6 is 108 watts less then the 8 also.