New tek elite or old tek

trueperc · 06/08/2010, 12:16 PM

Help me decide, If you had a chance to buy a t5 fixture which is a better buy the new 4' 6 bulb tek elite fixture or the older style 4' but 8 bulb fixture. Say for a 24inch wide and 24 high tank. Also to note both fixtures being the same price. This would be for sps as well to mention.

JoeBellz · 06/08/2010, 12:29 PM

I just got a 4-bulb TEK Elite fixture. FYI there is a cooling fan issue in the Elite's where the fans are rubbing against their housing creating a very loud buzzing. I have been in contact with SLS and they will be sending a fix for anyone that has the issue (I have seen a good amount of Elite owners complaining about it).

The fixture itself is def a nice fixture other than the fan issue. For the Elite's, the fans will def help keep the bulbs lasting a good amount longer & you get the acrylic shield thrown in. For the standard TEK you would need a fan mod to keep the bulbs cool, & if you didn't use the shield you may have the reflectors get crapped up from what I've heard.

If you have the funds, an ATI is a step up from the TEK, it's reflectors put out 20% more PAR than the TEK Elite. I'm sure other will chime in on that.

Whatever you decide, TEK Elite or reg, or ATI, buy from reefgeek if you're buying it new, they're awesome.

Airborne · 06/08/2010, 12:32 PM

Me, I would do the Old Style Tek 8 bulb. Especially for a 24x24. It covers the entire tank floor and not to mention the SPS will love it as well. As mine do. Plus as stated they are having problems with the new fixtures and the fans.

I have the old style Tek 8 bulb and my tank is 48x24x24.

JMO!

RCMark325 · 06/08/2010, 01:45 PM

over time, the cheap fans that any light fixture company puts in will eventually start to make some noise (including the all mighty ATI).

for this reason I went with original Tek 8 lamp, and it is fine. I don't use a cooling fan, but if I find I need to, I am more comfortable sticking a cheap DC fan that I can spec out (meaning <20 dB noise) on top of the fixture since the tek t5 cooling slots make it easy to mod on a fan, rather than messing with soldering AC fans. just my opinion though. I run a silent tank so I am biased.

RCMark325 · 06/08/2010, 01:48 PM

over time, the cheap fans that any light fixture company puts in will eventually start to make some noise (including the all mighty ATI).

for this reason I went with original Tek 8 lamp on my 48x24x21 high SPS reef, and it is fine. I don't use a cooling fan, but if I find I need to, I am more comfortable sticking a cheap DC fan that I can spec out (meaning <20 dB noise) on top of the fixture since the tek t5 cooling slots make it easy to mod on a fan, rather than messing with soldering AC fans. just my opinion though. I run a silent tank so I am biased.

with anything in this hobby, everything has its pros/cons and once you get whatever item you chose, you'll probably love it, and then make changes to it 6 months later, and love it even more, and then after that LED lighting will be cheap enough that you'll want one of those, over your upcoming bigger tank.

milkman55 · 06/08/2010, 06:10 PM

I have the original 8 bulb TEK over my 120 gal (4x2x2). No acrylic shield, no heat issues, works great. Paid $200 for a used TEK when everyone is paying big $$ for the latest and greatest. I used the leg kit and it fits the tank great and no splashing issues on the reflectors without the shield.

mark54321 · 06/08/2010, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milkman55

I have the original 8 bulb TEK over my 120 gal (4x2x2). No acrylic shield, no heat issues, works great. Paid $200 for a used TEK when everyone is paying big $$ for the latest and greatest. I used the leg kit and it fits the tank great and no splashing issues on the reflectors without the shield.

I am about to set up my 120 and looking for T5 fixture, is this fixture good enough to keep SPS? My tank is 24" deep.

JoeBellz · 06/08/2010, 11:25 PM

from what I've seen compared via Grim Reefer, the TEK's do well over a wider area, but the ATI wins in depth hands-down. You'll be fine with either though, once you start haggling this and that it could be a nit picking war, but both fixtures are great and should keep SPS nicely.

milkman55 · 06/09/2010, 06:35 AM

The 8 bulb TEK will be fine for SPS. Pick good quality, high par bulbs like ATI Blue Plus in your bulb mix. I run 4 Blue Plus, 2 Aqua Blue Spec, and 2 White Actinic. More than enough light for SPS in a 24" deep tank.

trueperc · 06/09/2010, 07:02 AM

Thanks all. This is the kind of info I was looking for. I know about the ATI and par but you loose in a 24 inch wide tank. I was just making sure that I was still get a good par hitter between the elite or the old style. Any pics people can add to this thread would be great.

06/08/2010, 12:16 PM	#1
trueperc Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Ottawa, On, Canada Posts: 788	New tek elite or old tek Help me decide, If you had a chance to buy a t5 fixture which is a better buy the new 4' 6 bulb tek elite fixture or the older style 4' but 8 bulb fixture. Say for a 24inch wide and 24 high tank. Also to note both fixtures being the same price. This would be for sps as well to mention.

06/08/2010, 12:32 PM	#3
Airborne Moved On Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Burbank,CA Posts: 574	Tek Me, I would do the Old Style Tek 8 bulb. Especially for a 24x24. It covers the entire tank floor and not to mention the SPS will love it as well. As mine do. Plus as stated they are having problems with the new fixtures and the fans. I have the old style Tek 8 bulb and my tank is 48x24x24. JMO!

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06/08/2010, 12:29 PM	#2
JoeBellz Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: CT Posts: 640	I just got a 4-bulb TEK Elite fixture. FYI there is a cooling fan issue in the Elite's where the fans are rubbing against their housing creating a very loud buzzing. I have been in contact with SLS and they will be sending a fix for anyone that has the issue (I have seen a good amount of Elite owners complaining about it). The fixture itself is def a nice fixture other than the fan issue. For the Elite's, the fans will def help keep the bulbs lasting a good amount longer & you get the acrylic shield thrown in. For the standard TEK you would need a fan mod to keep the bulbs cool, & if you didn't use the shield you may have the reflectors get crapped up from what I've heard. If you have the funds, an ATI is a step up from the TEK, it's reflectors put out 20% more PAR than the TEK Elite. I'm sure other will chime in on that. Whatever you decide, TEK Elite or reg, or ATI, buy from reefgeek if you're buying it new, they're awesome.

06/08/2010, 01:45 PM	#4
RCMark325 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Palos Heights, IL Posts: 52	over time, the cheap fans that any light fixture company puts in will eventually start to make some noise (including the all mighty ATI). for this reason I went with original Tek 8 lamp, and it is fine. I don't use a cooling fan, but if I find I need to, I am more comfortable sticking a cheap DC fan that I can spec out (meaning <20 dB noise) on top of the fixture since the tek t5 cooling slots make it easy to mod on a fan, rather than messing with soldering AC fans. just my opinion though. I run a silent tank so I am biased.

06/08/2010, 01:48 PM	#5
RCMark325 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Palos Heights, IL Posts: 52	over time, the cheap fans that any light fixture company puts in will eventually start to make some noise (including the all mighty ATI). for this reason I went with original Tek 8 lamp on my 48x24x21 high SPS reef, and it is fine. I don't use a cooling fan, but if I find I need to, I am more comfortable sticking a cheap DC fan that I can spec out (meaning <20 dB noise) on top of the fixture since the tek t5 cooling slots make it easy to mod on a fan, rather than messing with soldering AC fans. just my opinion though. I run a silent tank so I am biased. with anything in this hobby, everything has its pros/cons and once you get whatever item you chose, you'll probably love it, and then make changes to it 6 months later, and love it even more, and then after that LED lighting will be cheap enough that you'll want one of those, over your upcoming bigger tank.

06/08/2010, 06:10 PM	#6
milkman55 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Parkville, MO Posts: 832	I have the original 8 bulb TEK over my 120 gal (4x2x2). No acrylic shield, no heat issues, works great. Paid $200 for a used TEK when everyone is paying big $$ for the latest and greatest. I used the leg kit and it fits the tank great and no splashing issues on the reflectors without the shield.

06/08/2010, 11:25 PM	#8
JoeBellz Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: CT Posts: 640	from what I've seen compared via Grim Reefer, the TEK's do well over a wider area, but the ATI wins in depth hands-down. You'll be fine with either though, once you start haggling this and that it could be a nit picking war, but both fixtures are great and should keep SPS nicely.

06/09/2010, 06:35 AM	#9
milkman55 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Parkville, MO Posts: 832	The 8 bulb TEK will be fine for SPS. Pick good quality, high par bulbs like ATI Blue Plus in your bulb mix. I run 4 Blue Plus, 2 Aqua Blue Spec, and 2 White Actinic. More than enough light for SPS in a 24" deep tank.

06/09/2010, 07:02 AM	#10
trueperc Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Ottawa, On, Canada Posts: 788	Thanks all. This is the kind of info I was looking for. I know about the ATI and par but you loose in a 24 inch wide tank. I was just making sure that I was still get a good par hitter between the elite or the old style. Any pics people can add to this thread would be great.