Tek vs. Tek elite....difference?

jeremy K · 07/29/2010, 05:47 AM

I am wondering what the practical difference in terms of PAR output is between regular Tek T5 lighting and the newer Tek elite. I know the elites have active cooling and different reflectors. Does anyone know how much more PAR they put out? Is it worth the price difference? Or would it be just as effective to run a computer fan below a regular Tek unit?

trueperc · 07/29/2010, 08:15 AM

I have been wondering this too but have yet to see numbers. I believe the elite is better just due to the fact the reflectors are protect from salt spray and the active cooling will help with the bulb life. So even with those thoughts for me its the elite.

RotaryGeek · 07/29/2010, 08:25 AM

I have been doing alot of research on tek fixtures before my next upgrade, and though i don't have one, i think i can answer your questions. The big difference is the active cooling. On the older tek fixtures, the acrylic lense traps heat in, and causes the bulbs to run hotter and less effecient. But without the lense, salt creep builds up and stains the reflector, making it lose efficiency. On the new tek's, the active cooling is designed to be used with the sheild, so that the bulbs run at the optimum temp for the best output. So no more heat issues or staining the reflectors. Also, as far as the reflectors are concerned, they put out a good amount of par. I know compaired to an ATI, the light is spread out wider front to bad, where the ATI has less front to back, but more down, and thats what makes them a par monster. I don't remember, but i think i read that in grims t5 thread. But i haven't really heard any negatives about this fixture yet, although im still highly against the fact that you have to buy legs and the sheild seperatly. I personally think that should be included.

jeremy K · 07/29/2010, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RotaryGeek

I have been doing alot of research on tek fixtures before my next upgrade, and though i don't have one, i think i can answer your questions. The big difference is the active cooling. On the older tek fixtures, the acrylic lense traps heat in, and causes the bulbs to run hotter and less effecient. But without the lense, salt creep builds up and stains the reflector, making it lose efficiency. On the new tek's, the active cooling is designed to be used with the sheild, so that the bulbs run at the optimum temp for the best output. So no more heat issues or staining the reflectors. Also, as far as the reflectors are concerned, they put out a good amount of par. I know compaired to an ATI, the light is spread out wider front to bad, where the ATI has less front to back, but more down, and thats what makes them a par monster. I don't remember, but i think i read that in grims t5 thread. But i haven't really heard any negatives about this fixture yet, although im still highly against the fact that you have to buy legs and the sheild seperatly. I personally think that should be included.

With the new elites, the shield is included. In terms of the legs, I agree with you that they should be included. However, I have legs from an original Tek fixture that can be used interchangeably with the Tek elites. I'm just wondering if I can justify the expense in changing fixtures. I would really prefer an ATI, but I can't hang it (done lots of research, but came to the conclusion that it's impractical). So for me, Tek elite sounds like the best T5 option.

rtparty · 07/29/2010, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeremy K

With the new elites, the shield is included. In terms of the legs, I agree with you that they should be included. However, I have legs from an original Tek fixture that can be used interchangeably with the Tek elites. I'm just wondering if I can justify the expense in changing fixtures. I would really prefer an ATI, but I can't hang it (done lots of research, but came to the conclusion that it's impractical). So for me, Tek elite sounds like the best T5 option.

If you can find an Aquactinics fixture that would be a sweet upgrade over the Tek stuff.

philosophish · 07/29/2010, 01:17 PM

biggest knock, other than cooling, on the tek fixtures both standard and elite, is the use of a non spec t5 ballasts.

the ballasts used work against t5's in 2 ways. 1, they do not drive the bulb correctly which reduces output, and 2, reduces lifespan.

so when you buy a t5 tek like, elite or not, you will need more bulbs to reach the output of an ati with less bulbs and you will need to buy them more often.

as already mentioned, the ati adds a few features that really make it out shine the teks, active cooling and reflector design. ati puts the light into the tank, not the room.

07/29/2010, 05:47 AM	#1
jeremy K Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Toronto Posts: 270	Tek vs. Tek elite....difference? I am wondering what the practical difference in terms of PAR output is between regular Tek T5 lighting and the newer Tek elite. I know the elites have active cooling and different reflectors. Does anyone know how much more PAR they put out? Is it worth the price difference? Or would it be just as effective to run a computer fan below a regular Tek unit? __________________ 90g with 30g sump, Sea Side Aquatics CS2 skimmer, eheim 5000 return,1 MP40w ES + 1 Tunze 6095. Lighting - ATI 4x54W Sunpower, 1 BML strip, 1 Reefbrite strip. Current Tank Info: 90g mixed reef

07/29/2010, 01:17 PM	#6
philosophish Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 334	biggest knock, other than cooling, on the tek fixtures both standard and elite, is the use of a non spec t5 ballasts. the ballasts used work against t5's in 2 ways. 1, they do not drive the bulb correctly which reduces output, and 2, reduces lifespan. so when you buy a t5 tek like, elite or not, you will need more bulbs to reach the output of an ati with less bulbs and you will need to buy them more often. as already mentioned, the ati adds a few features that really make it out shine the teks, active cooling and reflector design. ati puts the light into the tank, not the room. __________________ I reef therefore I am

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07/29/2010, 08:15 AM	#2
trueperc Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Ottawa, On, Canada Posts: 788	I have been wondering this too but have yet to see numbers. I believe the elite is better just due to the fact the reflectors are protect from salt spray and the active cooling will help with the bulb life. So even with those thoughts for me its the elite.

07/29/2010, 08:25 AM	#3
RotaryGeek Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Central Texas Posts: 713	I have been doing alot of research on tek fixtures before my next upgrade, and though i don't have one, i think i can answer your questions. The big difference is the active cooling. On the older tek fixtures, the acrylic lense traps heat in, and causes the bulbs to run hotter and less effecient. But without the lense, salt creep builds up and stains the reflector, making it lose efficiency. On the new tek's, the active cooling is designed to be used with the sheild, so that the bulbs run at the optimum temp for the best output. So no more heat issues or staining the reflectors. Also, as far as the reflectors are concerned, they put out a good amount of par. I know compaired to an ATI, the light is spread out wider front to bad, where the ATI has less front to back, but more down, and thats what makes them a par monster. I don't remember, but i think i read that in grims t5 thread. But i haven't really heard any negatives about this fixture yet, although im still highly against the fact that you have to buy legs and the sheild seperatly. I personally think that should be included.