Tek T5 HO 4x36 for Reef Tank? looking for help

[mike27t]

Hey everyone, im sorry for posting another lighting thread. Believe me I have searched and searched the past 2 days and have read endless threads of mixed reviews. Im new to this forum but am a regular on M3F (car forum) and know the frustration of having the same topic posted into new threads.
I would like to begin my reef tank. Its a clear for life 50 gallon but only has 40 gallons of Display area.No canopy. The display area measurements are 36x10x20 (15 inches total width if you count the filtration in the back of the tank). I have read numerous threads with successful coral growth with this fixture, but at the same time read few post along with people ive spoken to in person keep pointing me to metal halides instead. This fixture will provide 3.9 watts per gallon and that low from what ive read.
Ive already made one mistake on buying 96w PC fixture being told it would suffice for reef and dont want to make another mistake.
I would like to keep an anemone, some LPS and a clam in the future. Can an experienced reefer please confirm for me this fixture is enough lighting for the stock listed above. If I "need" to spend more money on lighting I will, but keep in mind my tank width may not allow all fixtures. I also like the ATI fixture but would rather not hang the fixture. My budget could be up to $500
Thanks for reading.
edit: fixture is 4x39

 

[120reefer]

Honestly you could prolly keep the intended livestock given correct parameters, flow, ect. under those lights, but I would add a bit more light just to make sure... how bout Current USA nova extreme pro fixture 6-39w? they go for the same price as the SS Tek fixture but much more light. If you were getting the Tek fixture because it hangs instead of being on legs.. I would upgrade to the 6-39w model, it's only another ~$60. Plus you'd still be staying within the $500 range

 

[mike27t]

Thanks for your reply 120reefer. Im not opposed to 6 bulb fixtures but the ones ive seen run too wide for my tanks width. Display area is 10in and the 6 bulb fixtures ive seen run around 15in wide. I would think the additional bulbs would hang over my built in filtration in the back of the tank and not be utilized by anything in the display area.
btw I do want a fixture with legs.

 

[alohami]

The 36" Aquactinic TX5 fixture is 9.5" wide, and it is a 5-bulb x 39w fixture. It is just little bit above your budget, approximately $550.00 including the bulbs, and it comes with the mounting legs. One advantage to the Aquactinic is that it has individual reflectors whereas the Nova Extreme Pro does not. From what I have heard, the Nova says it has individual reflectors, but it is actually one piece that is just bent around each bulb.
I don't personally have the Aquactinic fixture yet, but I have heard great things about it. I am in the process of setting up a 65, and I plan to go with the Aquactinic.

 

[mike27t]

Originally Posted by AlohaMI
http:///forum/post/2547724
The 36" Aquactinic TX5 fixture is 9.5" wide, and it is a 5-bulb x 39w fixture. It is just little bit above your budget, approximately $550.00 including the bulbs, and it comes with the mounting legs.
WOW I think this one may be ideal for what I need.

Originally Posted by AlohaMI
http:///forum/post/2547724
One advantage to the Aquactinic is that it has individual reflectors whereas the Nova Extreme Pro does not. From what I have heard, the Nova says it has individual reflectors, but it is actually one piece that is just bent around each bulb.
I read the same thing about the nova and lack of individual reflectors during my search.
Originally Posted by AlohaMI
http:///forum/post/2547724
I don't personally have the Aquactinic fixture yet, but I have heard great things about it. I am in the process of setting up a 65, and I plan to go with the Aquactinic.
You also plan on keeping LPS and clams? So this fixture would be adequate lighting for them.

 

[alohami]

I plan on doing softies, LPS, a clam and/or anemone, and maybe a little SPS. I was told that this would be fine, but since I haven't used it yet myself, I can't confirm that. You will want to do your own research to make sure it will suit your needs, but I just wanted to mention it as an option.

 

[mike27t]

Originally Posted by AlohaMI
http:///forum/post/2547784
I plan on doing softies, LPS, a clam and/or anemone, and maybe a little SPS. I was told that this would be fine, but since I haven't used it yet myself, I can't confirm that. You will want to do your own research to make sure it will suit your needs, but I just wanted to mention it as an option.
Thanks for the suggestion, I appreciate your honesty.

 

[alohami]

You're welcome! If you do go with it, I'd love to see some pictures of your tank with it on.

 

[mx mr bean]

Highly Recommended. I had the 6 bulb 48" 54 Watt fixture for a couple of weeks on my tank and the color was amazing. My corals did very well. Only reason I got rid of it was because my canopy didn't fit while the TEK was on

 

[nycbob]

the tek t5 is very good. they do sell legs for it. it runs about $60 extra. the nova pro is for budget buyers that dont wanna spend too much on t5, yet want to be able to keep everything. i hv the nova pro and am very happy with it. but tek and aquactinic r better quality. this is a pic of nova pro t5.

 

[alohami]

One thing I didn't like about the Teks when I was researching them is how everything is extra. The 36" six-bulb Tek fixture is around $350, and then you either have to pay an additional $30 for a hanging kit, or $60 for the mounting legs. The acrylic splash shield is also an extra $20. So if you purchase the mounting legs and splash shield, you're at $430. The 36" Aquactinic five-bulb is around $445 and includes mounting legs and the splash shield. You have to purchase the bulbs separately with both fixtures, but that's so that you can configure those however you would like. The Teks are nice fixtures too, but from what I have read they tend to run hotter, which is a consideration as well. I was also told that a six-bulb Tek is comparable in light output to a five-bulb Aquactinic. Again, I can't yet verify that from personal experience, so I am just sharing what I have been told in researching the pros and cons of both fixtures.

 

[mike27t]

Thanks for the post and pics everyone.
Current thoughts.
Nova pro (thanks to 120reef and bob) - 5.85 watts per gallon. 6 bulbs, 12 inches width. I would get 2 inches of over hang (1in front 1in back). I think this is doable considering the fixture protrudes 1 inch past the bulbs. Meaning all my light would shine down in the display area and not out of my tank (no light gone to waste).
Anyone know how tall this sits above the tank with the included leg stands? I need it to be at least 2 inches above the tank to clear my skimmer.
Aquatinics (thanks alohami) - 4.8 watts per gallon. Although 1 less bulb, fixture is perfect width, with individual reflectors but looks like it has slightly better build quality over the Nova.
Tek - Staying from this unit. After reading your posts I think the 6 bulb would be the way to go, but the width is too big for my tank.
I guess the big question now is would the individual reflectors of the Aquatinics provide more PAR vs the Nova. But with NYCBOBs post I see how well his tank is doing with this fixture.
Conclusion - Nova Pro once someone can confirm how high the fixture sits from the top of the tank and to confirm if the edge bulbs actually do sit 1 inch away from the fixtures edge. Can someone measure this for me?
Thanks again everyone, you are really helping me narrow it down.

 

[mike27t]

Originally Posted by p90ninja
http:///forum/post/2549408
hey i know you....get back to your m3...did you see my post about my hitchhiking crab?
THIS IS SPARTAAA
I dont know who you are, but please if you have nothing to add to my thread please get out...How do you know about m3's.. Stalkerrrrrr
I just responded in your thread

 

[mike27t]

Originally Posted by p90ninja
http:///forum/post/2549451
hey if i could help i would bastage. did you see that 48" solaris go on ---- for 900 bucks? too big for you or I. goodluck man.
No I didnt. Damn it site blocks any competitor links!!! I have been reading on LED systems having a drastic price drop in the next couple of months.

 

[wangotango]

I would be willing to say that the five-bulb Aquactinics fixture will blow the Nova Pro and TEK six-bulb fixtures out of the water as far as PAR.
-Justin

 

[newtoit]

Originally Posted by AlohaMI
http:///forum/post/2547724
The 36" Aquactinic TX5 fixture is 9.5" wide, and it is a 5-bulb x 39w fixture. It is just little bit above your budget, approximately $550.00 including the bulbs, and it comes with the mounting legs. One advantage to the Aquactinic is that it has individual reflectors whereas the Nova Extreme Pro does not. From what I have heard, the Nova says it has individual reflectors, but it is actually one piece that is just bent around each bulb.
I don't personally have the Aquactinic fixture yet, but I have heard great things about it. I am in the process of setting up a 65, and I plan to go with the Aquactinic.
I am sorry to say you are mistaken the nova extreme pro is individually reflected I have one on my 40 breeder and lover it my corals are doing awesome

 

[bcott]

Originally Posted by nycbob
http:///forum/post/2548896
the tek t5 is very good. they do sell legs for it. it runs about $60 extra. the nova pro is for budget buyers that dont wanna spend too much on t5, yet want to be able to keep everything. i hv the nova pro and am very happy with it. but tek and aquactinic r better quality. this is a pic of nova pro t5.

Wow that's amazing! What type of anthias are those?

 

[alohami]

Originally Posted by newtoit
http:///forum/post/2550637
I am sorry to say you are mistaken the nova extreme pro is individually reflected I have one on my 40 breeder and lover it my corals are doing awesome
I don't know from personal experience, so that very well could be. I'm only going by what others have said about it, and it's only been very recently that I've heard some say that they truly are individual reflectors. Before that, the general consensus was that it was one piece that was bent. I wonder if Current changed it?

 

[wyndraven]

Originally Posted by AlohaMI
http:///forum/post/2550662
I don't know from personal experience, so that very well could be. I'm only going by what others have said about it, and it's only been very recently that I've heard some say that they truly are individual reflectors. Before that, the general consensus was that it was one piece that was bent. I wonder if Current changed it?

it is one reflector that is bent it cups each bulb induvidually I got mine a month or so ago and I love them more light then I will ever need for the tank they are on IMO the Nova extreme pro are worth the money you spens I think it is a great fixture my only issue was the lack of a lunar light but I have since rectified that

 

[mike27t]

After seeing bob's pics, and a couple of PM's I made up my mind. I ended up ordering the Nova, I found it online for $289. The fixture will sit 2 inches above the tank, thus clearing my skimmer. Also, bulb to bulb in terms of width it measures 9.5 inches, I wont be losing too much light since my display area is 10inches. I was torn between the Aquatinics and Nova, but for the price and the job it does, the Nova was the right choice for my tank. Ill save the money for future bigger tank lighting.
Wyndraven and Aloha, you are both right. Technically the Nova does not have individual reflector's (plural). It is one sheet bent to create individual wraps around each T5 bulb.
Thanks all