I'm looking at Tek fixtures for my 75 gallon. I see the 4x54 watt is 11" wide and the 6x54 watt is 15" would I be better off using the 6x54watt fixture on a 18" wide tank or would the 4x54 watt be plenty to get a good spread? I only intend to use the 2 outer bulbs.
Tek light fixture comparison
- Thread starter feh
- Start date
I'm using the 4x54 on a 120 which is ~18" front to back. Whether or not the 6 bulb unit would give a better spread I can't say. I haven't noticed any issues with spread or growth.
I would think you'd want a greater spread on a 24" tank though.
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I would think you'd want a greater spread on a 24" tank though.
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feh;69661 said:
The 6 bulb fixture does give me the option for a 24" tank later, but I was just wondering about it since the price difference wasn't that much.
the tek fixtures are nice. I just bought a 4 light fixture over at reefgeek dot com for a really good price. They also include any bulbs you want with the purchase. the 48 inch fixture is exactly 12 inches wide.
I'm running the fixture on my 120 gallon tank which is 24 inch in width and 24 inches deep. I've just set it up but from what I can tell the spread is quite nice with the fixture about 12" from the surface. Very even lighting from front to back.
for a 75 gallon I wouldn't suggest the 4 bulb unit. I think it's just too much light. You are going to be fighting the tank, have to use lot's of Co2 and do lots of trimming. Don't underestimate the power of these fixtures. They are quite bright. If you insist on using the 4 bulb unit I've heard of a guy that was using NO bulbs in the fixture with great results. As I understand it these fixtures will auto sense NO or HO bulbs. Pretty cool if that is true.
There's a great thread at the Planted tank Forum by Hoppy in the lighting section. He collected a bunch of data with a PAR meter on different types of bulbs/ configurations. He found you don't need as much light as you think. It also seems raising the fixture higher helps get more even lighting from top to bottom and lower intensity meaning less issues with algae, more stable plant growth etc...
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/lighting/105774-par-vs-distance-t5-t12-pc.html
I'm running the fixture on my 120 gallon tank which is 24 inch in width and 24 inches deep. I've just set it up but from what I can tell the spread is quite nice with the fixture about 12" from the surface. Very even lighting from front to back.
for a 75 gallon I wouldn't suggest the 4 bulb unit. I think it's just too much light. You are going to be fighting the tank, have to use lot's of Co2 and do lots of trimming. Don't underestimate the power of these fixtures. They are quite bright. If you insist on using the 4 bulb unit I've heard of a guy that was using NO bulbs in the fixture with great results. As I understand it these fixtures will auto sense NO or HO bulbs. Pretty cool if that is true.
There's a great thread at the Planted tank Forum by Hoppy in the lighting section. He collected a bunch of data with a PAR meter on different types of bulbs/ configurations. He found you don't need as much light as you think. It also seems raising the fixture higher helps get more even lighting from top to bottom and lower intensity meaning less issues with algae, more stable plant growth etc...
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/lighting/105774-par-vs-distance-t5-t12-pc.html
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magicmagni;69755 said:
I don't plan to run 4 bulbs in it. I'm only using a 4 bulb fixture for the spacing between them. I've quite familiar with Hoppy's thread at TPT. Thanks though.
Hi,
I would opt for the 6 bulb fixture if cost is neglible..
I opted for the 6 bulb vs 4 bulb fixture. I just remove more bulbs is all
I like the 6 bulb config for the extra spread...BUT, I have a 24" depth and am going to 36" LOL
Whatever you do, try and mount so the fixture and thus the PAR is somewhat adjustable...
T5, esp HO can be pretty bright. Do yourself a favor and check out the guisseman bulbs if you are not familiar with them.
I would opt for the 6 bulb fixture if cost is neglible..
I opted for the 6 bulb vs 4 bulb fixture. I just remove more bulbs is all
I like the 6 bulb config for the extra spread...BUT, I have a 24" depth and am going to 36" LOL
Whatever you do, try and mount so the fixture and thus the PAR is somewhat adjustable...
T5, esp HO can be pretty bright. Do yourself a favor and check out the guisseman bulbs if you are not familiar with them.
Yeah those Gieseman bulbs are are the best thing going. I used to have 10,000k/6700k combo PC's and now running the Gieseman midday and plant bulbs and the combo looks really good. i really recommend them as well.
As far as fixture width I think it has a lot to do with how high above the tank you want to go to. Naturally the higher you go the less of a spread you will need.
As far as fixture width I think it has a lot to do with how high above the tank you want to go to. Naturally the higher you go the less of a spread you will need.
I plan to use Geismann bulbs. I'm thinking about mixing Midday and Aquaflora bulbs. I already did the conduit thing my current fixture is hanging from it, but I want something with better reflectors which is why I'm upgrading to the Tek fixture.
Gerryd;69773 said:Hi,
I would opt for the 6 bulb fixture if cost is neglible..
I opted for the 6 bulb vs 4 bulb fixture. I just remove more bulbs is all
I like the 6 bulb config for the extra spread...BUT, I have a 24" depth and am going to 36" LOL
Whatever you do, try and mount so the fixture and thus the PAR is somewhat adjustable...
T5, esp HO can be pretty bright. Do yourself a favor and check out the guisseman bulbs if you are not familiar with them.
I just saw that the new Tek fixtures aren't using individual reflectors anymore. That was the whole reason I was going to buy it. Any suggestions? Does anyone still make them with individual reflectors besides ATI? Ugh... I saw that Current USA Nova Extremes now come with individual reflectors but I dunno about that.
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