Tek vs Current Pro

I do believe the Tek is much better system but do you think a Tek fixture with better reflector would out do the pro with 6 bulbs and cheaper reflectors. I have a 65 gallon so my tank is deeper 24". i would got for the Tek w/ 6 bulbs but a little of my price range. Any one else make a fixture with tek quality? 2 baby killed my bank, and anything i did have is gone to my new car.

currently only have shrooms, finger, fire coral, and polys. I had a 2 BULD 150W DE MH FROM CURRENT but one side is fried. funny thing is corals seam to be doing better with less light. fixture is making a lot of noise trying to fire up bad side and its freaking out the wife.

 

i found an 8 bulb T5 for 1/2 the price on ebay. No sure if i need 4, 6, or 8 bulbs

 

Malaki

how long did the current MH fixture last before one side burned out?

seems a shame to spend a lot of money to buy a new T5 canopy when you still have 50% of a set up that must have worked for you

would it not be cost effective to get the faulty one repaired?


Steve

 

Steve has a point, you may just need to buy a new ballast rather than an entire fixture. However, to answer your question, a 4 bulb fixture with individual reflectors will usually outperform a 6 bulb fixture that has the gull wing style reflector. In your situation, if you do not plan on adding any sps type corals, clams or anemones, you could just go for the 4 bulb setup. I am not saying you can't keep those types of things with a 4 bulb setup, as I have, but placement becomes key, and that can get difficult.

 

THe fixture is about 4 years old and i have been thinking of going to T5 just to reduce cost and energy bill since my time is limit with the aquarium. With a sick wife, 3 year old, and 3 month old. I get about 1/2 a day to enjoy the aqaurium and additions and upgrades will be few for awhile.

The new ballast where i have looked ranges from $140 to $170

 

$250


36" T5-HO 8 Bulb 39 Watt Lighting System

312 Total Watts of high intensity lighting!

Upgraded! NOW features 3 Power Cords For Easy Dawn To Dusk Cycles!

Professional quality light fixture comes with 4 39w Deep Blue Actinic 420 nm and 4 39w 10,000k Ice White Reef Bulbs.

This T5-HO Lighting system is designed in the USA and its electronics and design are patented.

Its exclusive design allow for great heat dissapation and hold up against moisture and harsh saltwater unlike many of the economy lights you see on ebay for less.

1. Newly designed fixture featuring aluminum shell will bring the best cooling effect and never fades. With its electronic ballast and components, there will be virtually no heat from the ballast unlike the magnetic ballasts seem with our competitor's lights.

2. W type parabolic mirrored reflector will bring the best lighting effect with minimal wasted light. This design gives approximately 32% more directed light than the standard light reflectors on the market!

3. Individual electronic ballasts are incorporated into this patened design giving its performance of greater than a 99% power factory rating. This rating compared to other electronic ballasts the competitors use can be more than 4% efficiency increase!

4. The new side mounted ballast design provides for the best cooling effect. These high efficiency ballasts are UL listed.

5. High Quality Bulbs! 10,000k Ice White Reef Bulbs and Deep Blue Actinic Bulbs are included in all our T5-HO Lighting systems!

6. Lighting hanging Kit included for Free!



Specifications:

36" 90cm

8 - 39 watt T5-HO Bulb Fixture

Parabolic Reflector Highly Polished

4 - 39 watt T5-HO Deep Blue Actinic 420nm

4 - 39 watt T5-HO 10,000k Ice White Reef Bulbs

Full Acrylic Shield To Protect Bulbs and Fixture!

UL Listed Components including UL Electronic Ballast >0.99 pf

36"l x 17.75"w x 2"h

One Year warranty against workmanship and manufacturers defects on the electronics and ballasts. Compare that warranty to our competitors 90 day warranty!

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

 

This is on ebay and the seller does have 98% positivce, looks to good to be true at a price of $250? I would probably upgrade all the bulbs(if i get it) for christmas.

Any feed back if this sound good or to good to be true. If not i will spend another $150 for Tek and have wife pissed off at me

 

Bump

i am going to do purchase at lunch so any last input

they have on ebay the same fixture but 4 bulbs for $150

 

You do not want to buy the T5 fixtures from e-bay. Most of them are for product display and are a fire and shock hazard above an aquarium.

How wide is your aquarium? If I am right, a 65 is pretty narrow. You might not even be able to fit anything over a 4 or 6 bulb fixture. No reason to spend the extra money to light the room and not the tank.

 

36 7/8L x 19W x 24 5/8D