best 48" T5 fixture with legs for tank mount

quaffin1 · 10/17/2009, 07:13 AM

I am looking for a 48" T5 unit, but really would rather have a fixture with legs instead of having to hang from ceiling. Looking in the $500 price range.
I see the TEK unit has optional feet, are they any good?
Also could swing the ATI Sunpower unit, but doesn't look like this unit has any way to mount other than suspending from ceiling. Is this correct?

Any suggestions. Thanks

hondo3 · 10/17/2009, 07:56 AM

Teks are good. I have a Nova Extreme that works great!

puffer35 · 10/17/2009, 08:01 AM

Tek light T5, very durable and sleek design so it doesn't look like you have a sombrero on top of your aquarium.

E.intheC · 10/17/2009, 08:26 AM

If you can, go with the ATI fixture. (If you need that much light that is). If you're handy you can always make legs for the fixture. Right now my light is sitting on some old NO fluorescent fixtures and some wood. lol. it's ugly but temporary.

Tek fixtures are good too. Really depends on what corals you're going to keep.

James77 · 10/17/2009, 09:59 AM

I wouldn't bother with the Teks, no fans for cooling and staining reflectors.

As einthec said, you could make legs or supports for the ATI. You could hang them from a bracket made of conduit instead of the ceiling.

James77 · 10/17/2009, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onano

I built a copycat to the zero edge using conduit from Lowes. It comes in different thicknesses. I got the the thickest I could find. It was actually in the plumbing section vs the other metal conduit in the electrical section. It was all pre threaded so I just purchased the proper couplings to get it together. I used 2 U-bolts to attach it to the rear center brace on my stand. I did paint it black for looks. Looks great and get rave reviews from whoever sees it. Heres a few pics.

Chibils · 10/17/2009, 10:26 AM

I was hesitant at first as it didn't have the same rave reviews as some of the other units out there, but I am so floored with my AquaticLife unit. Three built-in fans keep the fixture and acrylic shield cool to the touch, built-in timers for rows 1&3 and 2&4 as well as LEDs and the same style "SLR" reflectors as Tek (one reflector bent into SLRs). The timers come with a manual "on" and "off" settings along with the "auto" that you program down to the minute. I didn't think it would be this bright so I didn't acclimate my corals (coming from 175w halides) and actually bleached two. All of the survivors have acclimated and colored up incredibly. The LEDs I use as dusk/dawn "stage two" since they're bright. Too bright for moonlights. That's my one complaint but I'm also very happy with that since it gives a similar fluoresce to the actinics with less power and a slightly different wavelength. Comes with an easily removable/re-attachable acrylic shield and the legs came with it (no $50 add-on like the Teks).

That's my ad for the day. If you need the extra light (I was shocked by how much I got from a 4x54w fixture) then go for the ATIs. I almost wish I did because they're so sexy. But I think I would've had to suspend it two feet above the tank since they're so bright! (Also there's no legs so I'd have to hang them. :P)

10/17/2009, 07:13 AM	#1
quaffin1 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 15	best 48" T5 fixture with legs for tank mount I am looking for a 48" T5 unit, but really would rather have a fixture with legs instead of having to hang from ceiling. Looking in the $500 price range. I see the TEK unit has optional feet, are they any good? Also could swing the ATI Sunpower unit, but doesn't look like this unit has any way to mount other than suspending from ceiling. Is this correct? Any suggestions. Thanks __________________ Semper Fi

10/17/2009, 08:26 AM	#4
E.intheC Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 5,373	If you can, go with the ATI fixture. (If you need that much light that is). If you're handy you can always make legs for the fixture. Right now my light is sitting on some old NO fluorescent fixtures and some wood. lol. it's ugly but temporary. Tek fixtures are good too. Really depends on what corals you're going to keep. __________________ -Eric

10/17/2009, 09:59 AM	#5
James77 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 8,158	I wouldn't bother with the Teks, no fans for cooling and staining reflectors. As einthec said, you could make legs or supports for the ATI. You could hang them from a bracket made of conduit instead of the ceiling. __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: 120g Mixed Reef and 75g Freshwater

10/17/2009, 10:26 AM	#7
Chibils halide loyalist Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Sugar Hill, GA Posts: 2,213	I was hesitant at first as it didn't have the same rave reviews as some of the other units out there, but I am so floored with my AquaticLife unit. Three built-in fans keep the fixture and acrylic shield cool to the touch, built-in timers for rows 1&3 and 2&4 as well as LEDs and the same style "SLR" reflectors as Tek (one reflector bent into SLRs). The timers come with a manual "on" and "off" settings along with the "auto" that you program down to the minute. I didn't think it would be this bright so I didn't acclimate my corals (coming from 175w halides) and actually bleached two. All of the survivors have acclimated and colored up incredibly. The LEDs I use as dusk/dawn "stage two" since they're bright. Too bright for moonlights. That's my one complaint but I'm also very happy with that since it gives a similar fluoresce to the actinics with less power and a slightly different wavelength. Comes with an easily removable/re-attachable acrylic shield and the legs came with it (no $50 add-on like the Teks). That's my ad for the day. If you need the extra light (I was shocked by how much I got from a 4x54w fixture) then go for the ATIs. I almost wish I did because they're so sexy. But I think I would've had to suspend it two feet above the tank since they're so bright! (Also there's no legs so I'd have to hang them. :P) __________________ always learning Current Tank Info: 75G new world cichlid, 25G reef in planning

10/17/2009, 07:56 AM	#2
hondo3 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: potomac, md Posts: 49	Teks are good. I have a Nova Extreme that works great!

10/17/2009, 08:01 AM	#3
puffer35 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 36	Tek light T5, very durable and sleek design so it doesn't look like you have a sombrero on top of your aquarium.