tek-light question

[Patweezy]

so i will be picking up a tek-light 48" T5 fixture on friday, 2 10,000k bulbs and 2 actinics, for $75.. i am asking if it is worth it? i am a noob at the lighting right now.

i currently have a 90 gallon fowlr tank, with a small 5in rock containing green star polyps. 60lbs of live rock

will this help with the growth of coralline algae as well? thank you in advance for helping out!!

[Arkayology]

If all you want to keep is softies and LPS, you will be fine. You could keep clams and SPS if you wanted with that fixture, but the growth and colors may not be outstanding IMO. You would want at least 6 bulbs for SPS. If you are not into SPS and want to focus on less demanding corals, it would be just fine.

[James77]

Not a bad price at all for that fixture. It lacks active cooling which kills the PAR...if you feel you need that PAR for high light coral, simply point a small computer fan across the bulbs.

[Patweezy]

Alright thanks, another quick question is will that lighting setup help with the growth of coralline algae? Also am I able to lay it on top of the tank lid or resting on the edges of the tank, or should I get myself mounta for it lol

[Reefer1225]

Save up for Aqua Illumination SOl Blue LED lights.... they are awesome and will save in your energy bills!

[James77]

Originally Posted by Patweezy

Alright thanks, another quick question is will that lighting setup help with the growth of coralline algae? Also am I able to lay it on top of the tank lid or resting on the edges of the tank, or should I get myself mounta for it lol

Any light will grow coralline. You could lay it on the glass safely. However, it will cause additional heat build up in the bulbs, which will further affect their performance. Not the end of the world, but if you are looking to squeeze as much light as possible out if it, it won't help.

[Patweezy]

How about if I remove the glass lids and just lay it on top of the tank resting on the edges of the tank and lighting

[TJSlayer]

I wouldn't put it that close to the water the salt will kill the reflectors and such in no time, and they do recommend the use of a splash shield with them, but $75 is a steal.

You'd be better off with the 6 or 8 bulb version for any serious coral growth and I don't think a clam or sps would be possible with only 4 bulbs unless by chance they were right at the top....

TJ

[Arkayology]

Originally Posted by Reefer1225

Save up for Aqua Illumination SOl Blue LED lights.... they are awesome and will save in your energy bills!

ATI sunpower all the way. That's what I would have if I didn't have my 250w MH

[Patweezy]

it does come with a splash guard, and he said it has the hanging kit as well. might try the hanging kit. just wasnt looking forward to the whole drilling in the ceiling and such lol

and how much do these fixtures usually run? there was nothing wrong with it, it just had to get out of the owners house.

[James77]

The acrylic guard will trap heat as well at the bulbs

The fixture runs about 260-280 new with no bulbs n

[Patweezy]

Wow ok I don't wanna pass this up! I'll hang the fixture then. Thanks for everyones help!

[rtparty]

Don't run the acrylic shield. I know you are running a FOWLR but you don't want to be replacing bulbs every 6-8 months.

Scrap the acrylic shield and get an external fan to help cool things down. The price is a steal but be ready to maybe buy new bulbs. That will run around $100 or so for 4 new bulbs.