Which TEK fixture for my tank?

KLR · Jun 2, 2011

I want to get a TEK t5 fixture for my tank.

I was wondering which would be more suitable for my tank.

My tank is

48-long
16-High
13-Wide

I want to keep sps

Should I get a 48 fixture or 36?

If I do 36 the fixture will hang.

Also should I get 4 bulbs or 6?

It ill more than likely be sitting on the legs that you can buy seperatly, and since my tank is shallow and narrow I dont want it to scorch all of the corals.

UncleJT · Jun 2, 2011

If you want to use the legs, you'll have to go with the 48" fixture. IIRC, the legs will not extend far enough to go with a 36" fixture. The 6-lamp fixture is wider than your tank is so you'll probably have to go with the 4-lamp.

KLR · Jun 2, 2011

Yea I would prefer to use the legs.

Would the 4 lamp be powerful enough to keep ANY acropora under it in my tank?

UncleJT · Jun 2, 2011

KLR said:
Would the 4 lamp be powerful enough to keep ANY acropora under it in my tank?

Since your tank is so narrow and shallow, I would think so. The 6-lamp will not fit, you'd be wasting light as two of the lamps would be hanging off the sides of the aquarium when used with the legs so I don't see any other options with the Tek light.

KLR · Jun 2, 2011

Ok, I was actually just thinking, I really like taking top down photos, and I might just get the hanging kit instead, so I dont have to move the light and stuff to take pictures

If I did hang it should I get a 36in 6 lamp fixture??

UncleJT · Jun 2, 2011

KLR said:
If I did hang it should I get a 36in 6 lamp fixture??

If you want to do that, consider the 6-lamp ATI Sunpower. It isn't quite as wide as the Tek Lights and would fit over your narrow tank better. I was actually going to recommend this option before you replied.

bonomo53 · Jun 2, 2011

i got the 36" tek elite 6 bulb with the legs about a month ago and love it so far.. the actual part where the bulbs are is 13" so i think it will fit

KLR · Jun 2, 2011

UncleJT said:
If you want to do that, consider the 6-lamp ATI Sunpower. It isn't quite as wide as the Tek Lights and would fit over your narrow tank better. I was actually going to recommend this option before you replied.

Ill look them up,im trying to keep it around $300...

bonomo53 said:
i got the 36" tek elite 6 bulb with the legs about a month ago and love it so far.. the actual part where the bulbs are is 13" so i think it will fit

Cool,do you have a picture of your tank,or just like the top half?

UncleJT · Jun 2, 2011

KLR said:
Ill look them up,im trying to keep it around $300...

Yeah, unfortunately it's $450-ish without bulbs unless you can find a good deal on a used one. However, I do think it will fit your system better but I understand the budget issue.. this is why my new build is taking so long here. ugh.

KLR · Jun 2, 2011

Yea that is a little bit to much for me..That is why I was going to get a TEK...

So would a 36in 6 lamp TEK produce enough coverage for my tank,if it hung approx 1 1/2 feet from the surface of the water?

clowns101 · Jun 2, 2011

There is a benifit to the hanging kits onteh TEK lights,you can raise and lower them easily,so you could get the 4 bulb still,and raise and lower as you are taking pics,but a thought....

UncleJT · Jun 2, 2011

KLR said:
So would a 36in 6 lamp TEK produce enough coverage for my tank,if it hung approx 1 1/2 feet from the surface of the water?

I'm not quite sure how it would look/work. It's 16" wide according to listed specs so you'll have an 1.5" of overhang on each side.

gar732 · Jun 2, 2011

Why don't you just get the 48" and hang it? This way you get even coverage over the tank. With that narrow of a tank I think the four bulb would be plenty. I had a cheap four bulb fixture over my 75gal for a year and had pretty decent growth. Here are a couple progression shotshttps://www.reef2reef.com/forums/general-sps-discussion/45918-some-progression-pics.html

KLR · Jun 2, 2011

True...Would the 4lamp still be powerful enough,even if it was 1.5 feet from the tank?

KLR · Jun 2, 2011

gar732 said:
Why don't you just get the 48" and hang it? This way you get even coverage over the tank. With that narrow of a tank I think the four bulb would be plenty. I had a cheap four bulb fixture over my 75gal for a year and had pretty decent growth. Here are a couple progression shotshttps://www.reef2reef.com/forums/general-sps-discussion/45918-some-progression-pics.html

Those pics just sold it!

4 lamp 48in it is!

gar732 · Jun 2, 2011

And that was with an ebay fixture with ati bulbs. You will see better results with the tek fixture.

clowns101 · Jun 2, 2011

KLR said:
True...Would the 4lamp still be powerful enough,even if it was 1.5 feet from the tank?

You would have to play around with it,personally,I would start out higher,and work my way down if needed,start at a foot above the tank,and then raise/lower if you need too...