T5s, TEK or TX5

[brewercm]

OK, have it now narrowed down to these two units. Wanted the ATI system but have no way to hang it and stay married and they don't have a leg option. I've read several posts that say the par is better with the TX5 with one less bulb due to the active cooling. Sooooooooooooooooooo.

Which would you go with and why?
Let the battles begin.

[brewercm]

Oh, yeah and what bulb combo if I wanted a bright white with a good blue coloration also. Kind of like a Reeflux 12K look.

[cpreefguy]

So either a 6 bulb Tek or 5 bulb tx5?

[cpreefguy]

So
TX5- $450
Tek- $350

I would be tempted to get the 4 bulb ATI ($459 at Aquarium Specialty) at the same price as the TX5

[brewercm]

Cost isnt' the option really as I have enough for the 6 bulb ATI also if I wanted. The problem is with how to mount the ATI over the tank since hanging isn't an option. I have the posibility of getting the TX5 for $400 shipped with the bulbs if I want from someone selling theirs.

Still also kind of debating the option of the Current Outer Orbit 36" that comes with two 150 halides and 4 T5 bulbs.

[cpreefguy]

Oh I see.
I did have to get a bit creative when it came to hanging my powermodule.
In that case, the TX5 for $400 with bulbs is a good deal. I ran a Tek light for a while and it was just OK. I have seen the TX5 in action a few times and it is a better choice that the Tek IMO.
HTH.

[FireWater]

Cliff, any chance of building a bracket atached to the stand and then hang the ATI from it? If you can afford the ATI then that would be the ultimate choice. If I had to choose between the 2 listed I would go with the TX5 - even though it has one less bulb it has better reflectors and active cooling. Those are the 2 most important factors in t-5. I can tell you on my 6 light t-5 I am running from front to back -ATI Blue+, UVL super actinic, UVL Aquasun, ATI Blue+, UVL 75/25, ATI Blue+. You could probably drop a Blue+ and be in the ball park of what you are looking for in color

[LoneStar]

Cliff, any chance of building a bracket atached to the stand and then hang the ATI from it? If you can afford the ATI then that would be the ultimate choice

Thats what I would shoot for. It would be real easy to build.

[brewercm]

Yeah, but you don't understand my wife and her ideas of how things have to look just right. Actually just pulled the plug on the TX5 and it should be here next week. Of course the tank won't be up yet and a little bit after I get back. But that's the last piece of the puzzle to get put together. I may change out one of the actinic whites with a Blue+ if I want more blue to it as this one comes with two actinics and three actinic whites from UV.

[CoryDude]

Had the same wife situation as you so I went with the Tek. It's my first t5 fixture, so I can't compare it to anything else. But, as far as looks, it's very sleek and looks cool w/the leg mounts. Absolutely no problem with lamp heat buildup.

It makes my wife happy, so I'm happy.

[LoneStar]

Yeah, but you don't understand my wife

Thats all I needed to read to figure out your answer on what I posted earlier!

:rofl: