T5 Should I switch to ATI or keep my Tek?

alazo1 · 12/05/2018, 09:06 AM

I have a 40 breeder with a 6 bulb 36" tek light. I've retrofitted some time ago with two fans to exhaust the heat. Both fans are on one side of the fixture. I've read and saw one of the users here that fans should be on the side where the bulb's writting is. Supposedly this is the side that gets the most heat.

I also have an led strip with some royal blues, blues and violets that would attach to the Ati.

Question; is there a reason that I should change to an ati 6 bulb sunpower?. Will the light be much better?.

thanks,
Albert

mcgyvr · 12/05/2018, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alazo1

Question; is there a reason that I should change to an ati 6 bulb sunpower?. Will the light be much better?.

thanks,
Albert

No and No

LQT · 12/05/2018, 12:13 PM

A 40 breeder is only 16” deep. Your Tek T5 fixture is more than capable of providing the necessary par output for whatever it is that you keep IMO.

alazo1 · 12/05/2018, 10:03 PM

Thanks for the replies. I'll keep the Tek light. I doubt there is a problem with par. No problem with sps even towards the bottom.

Albert

cody6766 · 12/06/2018, 08:18 AM

Only if you just want the ATI light. I wouldn't spend the money on it if I woke up in your shoes, and there is definitely no need to do it. I bet you'd be hard pressed to find any objective data that show ATI lights being better at growing coral than Tek. Sure, you get more PAR out of the ATI, but I'd be surprised if the difference made a significant difference in 90% of the tanks out there. I'm not pooping on ATI, I have one over my 60g. I also ran a TEK light for a few years over a 40br, and a number of other lighting configurations on other tanks. They all grew coral and clams.

maddmaxx · 12/06/2018, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cody6766

Only if you just want the ATI light. I wouldn't spend the money on it if I woke up in your shoes, and there is definitely no need to do it. I bet you'd be hard pressed to find any objective data that show ATI lights being better at growing coral than Tek. Sure, you get more PAR out of the ATI, but I'd be surprised if the difference made a significant difference in 90% of the tanks out there. I'm not pooping on ATI, I have one over my 60g. I also ran a TEK light for a few years over a 40br, and a number of other lighting configurations on other tanks. They all grew coral and clams.

i agree, what you have, theres no need for a change. only thing to suggest is if your looking to get more light to your coral. take out 1 set of the retro T5s and add either an LED fixture or add a metal halide. i run a 4bulb 36" TEK retro kit over my 40b now. i use ATI bulbs. clam has multiple new growth plates and my rose bubble split for me. no need for me to add anything. i can grow what ever i want. another TEK set would be beast i think. your good buddy. save your money or upgrade some sort of other equipment that needs to be updated...

Daimyo68 · 12/09/2018, 01:20 PM

Stick with the Tek fixture, it's more than enough light.

I run one (8 Bulb, 2 center bulbs removed), 13 inches above the water. SPS that has broken off when I'm in the tank, lays on the sand and still grows with exceptional color

hkgar · 12/09/2018, 04:12 PM

T5 bulbs have wiring (power requirements) on both sides of the bulbs

manateemark · 12/09/2018, 10:25 PM

I think that if you’re getting good results that you’re happy with then I would just leave it alone. Do you feel like you need slightly more par? Have you tested that with a par meter to confirm?

12/05/2018, 09:06 AM	#1
alazo1 Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 428	T5 Should I switch to ATI or keep my Tek? I have a 40 breeder with a 6 bulb 36" tek light. I've retrofitted some time ago with two fans to exhaust the heat. Both fans are on one side of the fixture. I've read and saw one of the users here that fans should be on the side where the bulb's writting is. Supposedly this is the side that gets the most heat. I also have an led strip with some royal blues, blues and violets that would attach to the Ati. Question; is there a reason that I should change to an ati 6 bulb sunpower?. Will the light be much better?. thanks, Albert

12/05/2018, 12:13 PM	#3
LQT Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Fairfield, CT Posts: 1,516	A 40 breeder is only 16” deep. Your Tek T5 fixture is more than capable of providing the necessary par output for whatever it is that you keep IMO. __________________ - Leon (aka - Water Dog) Deep Blue 57 Edge ATI Acro Garden Build Thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?p=25573384#post25573384 Current Tank Info: DeepBlue 57 Edge

12/06/2018, 08:18 AM	#5
cody6766 Super Best Friends! Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: OKC, OK Posts: 3,772	Only if you just want the ATI light. I wouldn't spend the money on it if I woke up in your shoes, and there is definitely no need to do it. I bet you'd be hard pressed to find any objective data that show ATI lights being better at growing coral than Tek. Sure, you get more PAR out of the ATI, but I'd be surprised if the difference made a significant difference in 90% of the tanks out there. I'm not pooping on ATI, I have one over my 60g. I also ran a TEK light for a few years over a 40br, and a number of other lighting configurations on other tanks. They all grew coral and clams. __________________ "The moral is the chosen, not the forced; the understood, not the obeyed. The moral is the rational, and reason accepts no commandments." - John Galt Current Tank Info: Cadlights 60G Arisan II mixed reef with 2x MP40s and 24" ATI

12/09/2018, 01:20 PM	#7
Daimyo68 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: North Palm Beach, FL Posts: 2,270	Stick with the Tek fixture, it's more than enough light. I run one (8 Bulb, 2 center bulbs removed), 13 inches above the water. SPS that has broken off when I'm in the tank, lays on the sand and still grows with exceptional color __________________ 120g, 50g Sump, SRO XP2000i, MP40W x2, DIY Hybrid LED/T5 Fixture, Apex PBMAS VP 2010-11 PBMAS 2017 President

12/09/2018, 04:12 PM	#8
hkgar Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Dewitt MI Posts: 5,051	T5 bulbs have wiring (power requirements) on both sides of the bulbs __________________ Gary 180 gallon, 40 gallon sump, 3 250 W MH + 4 80W ATI T5's, MTC MVX 36 Skimmer, Apex controller Aquamaxx T-3 CaRx Current Tank Info: A 2 Barred Rabbitfish, Red Head Salon, Yellow/Purple, McMaster Fairy, Possum, 2 Leopard Wrasses, Kole, & Atlantic Blue Tangs, 2 Percula Clown, 3 PJ and 1 Banggai Cardinalfish , Swallowtail, Bellus and Coral Beauty Angels

12/05/2018, 10:03 PM	#4
alazo1 Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 428	Thanks for the replies. I'll keep the Tek light. I doubt there is a problem with par. No problem with sps even towards the bottom. Albert

12/09/2018, 10:25 PM	#9
manateemark Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 52	I think that if you’re getting good results that you’re happy with then I would just leave it alone. Do you feel like you need slightly more par? Have you tested that with a par meter to confirm?