Finnex or TEK Fixture - Good or Bad Either???

DRC69 · 10/19/2006, 11:59 AM

Hey All,
Any comments about Finnex would be a lot of help.
Looking at buying Finnex T-5 fixture or should I stick with the TEK unit??

Thanks All

coseal · 10/19/2006, 06:29 PM

been looking into t5 lighting myself... and i believe the finnex only has one reflector for all the bulbs kinda like the current-usa fixture. HTH

jcm1229 · 10/20/2006, 11:57 AM

I got a finnex t5 4 bulb fixture and with the single reflector it was OK. I was planning to retrofit individual reflectors but the housing didn't support it. I now have everything I need, but have to build a custom hood or platform to mount my 4 bulbs. Haven't done it yet, but plan to replace my 4 bulb vho setup with it!

DRC69 · 10/20/2006, 02:50 PM

Thanks for the info all.

Wolfmann81 · 10/22/2006, 04:50 PM

I have never owned a Finnex T5 hood so I canot comment on that. I do own a Tek-Light 4x54W T5 for my 75G. Great lighting, I have always been impressed by it, so can at least recommend that unit!

ReeferMonkey · 10/22/2006, 05:29 PM

The big advantage of T5 technology is the diameter of the lamps. This allows you to get a good parabolic reflector around each light, minimizing waste. IceCap, Sunlight Supply and I believe Aqua Medic all make good reflectors for T5 lamps. Most other companies are using single refelctors. Those fixtures are still probably better than PCs but they're missing out on all the benefits of T5 systems.

Wolfmann81 · 10/22/2006, 06:13 PM

I completely agree. My first light was a coralife Compact PC. The upgrade from those to the T5 by Teklight was the biggest positive change that I have ever made to my tank.

10/19/2006, 11:59 AM	#1
DRC69 Oh Well Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: RSM, CA Posts: 3,430	Finnex or TEK Fixture - Good or Bad Either??? Hey All, Any comments about Finnex would be a lot of help. Looking at buying Finnex T-5 fixture or should I stick with the TEK unit?? Thanks All __________________ Thanks, D Current Tank Info: "A government big enough to give you everything you want is a government big enough to take from you everything you have" ----- Thomas Jefferson

10/20/2006, 02:50 PM	#4
DRC69 Oh Well Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: RSM, CA Posts: 3,430	Thanks for the info all. __________________ Thanks, D Current Tank Info: "A government big enough to give you everything you want is a government big enough to take from you everything you have" ----- Thomas Jefferson

10/22/2006, 04:50 PM	#5
Wolfmann81 Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Monroe, Washington State Posts: 363	I have never owned a Finnex T5 hood so I canot comment on that. I do own a Tek-Light 4x54W T5 for my 75G. Great lighting, I have always been impressed by it, so can at least recommend that unit! __________________ Clayton aka "Wolfmann81" Current Tank Info: 180G Display Acrylic, 200+ Pounds Fiji & Tonga - LPS/SPS Mix

10/22/2006, 06:13 PM	#7
Wolfmann81 Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Monroe, Washington State Posts: 363	I completely agree. My first light was a coralife Compact PC. The upgrade from those to the T5 by Teklight was the biggest positive change that I have ever made to my tank. __________________ Clayton aka "Wolfmann81" Current Tank Info: 180G Display Acrylic, 200+ Pounds Fiji & Tonga - LPS/SPS Mix

10/19/2006, 06:29 PM	#2
coseal Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: rich,va Posts: 376	been looking into t5 lighting myself... and i believe the finnex only has one reflector for all the bulbs kinda like the current-usa fixture. HTH

10/20/2006, 11:57 AM	#3
jcm1229 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Park Ridge, IL Posts: 1,780	I got a finnex t5 4 bulb fixture and with the single reflector it was OK. I was planning to retrofit individual reflectors but the housing didn't support it. I now have everything I need, but have to build a custom hood or platform to mount my 4 bulbs. Haven't done it yet, but plan to replace my 4 bulb vho setup with it!

10/22/2006, 05:29 PM	#6
ReeferMonkey Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: San Diego CA Posts: 1,099	The big advantage of T5 technology is the diameter of the lamps. This allows you to get a good parabolic reflector around each light, minimizing waste. IceCap, Sunlight Supply and I believe Aqua Medic all make good reflectors for T5 lamps. Most other companies are using single refelctors. Those fixtures are still probably better than PCs but they're missing out on all the benefits of T5 systems.