This is a wonderful light I was searching for an upgrade for my lighting system because I wanted to start keeping sps and lps. This light gives a linear light balance from one side of the tank to the other. There are no dark spots or shadows with the light. The individual reflectors are a wonderful addition to the system it increases the light output by at least 90%. The system comes with two plugs and two switches the way the light was set up the back 2 and front 2 work off one switch and plug; the middle four work off the other switch and plug. The installation of the lights is VERY easy, all you do is sit the bulb in the slot and rotate till you hear a click and the blub is in. The set up comes with the parts you need to hang the light the only thing that’s really missing is the cover plate which can be bought for an extra $39.99. The lighting is very intense I had to switch my rock work around to put corals lower in the tank because the light was bleaching some of my sps (my tank is a standard 75).

There are only three draw backs that I have one is for $500 can I PLEASE get some lights? Although I like being able to dictate my color spectrum I would still have liked some test lights or something. The second is that there is not light shield to protect the lights from splashing water. You can buy one but it withers after a couple of months but it still does the job. The final draw back is if a bulb goes out then that whole section goes out, that makes for a pain because then you could only end up with 4 lights going which is probably still enough but you have to take the whole system down and find the light and replace it.

Thanks for the review.

I was looking at a Tek light the other day (which may have been an older model) but it technically did not have individual reflectors, but instead one single one that was molded to imitate IRs. Are the new ones the same?

Also I believe that the reason all the 4 lights go out instead of just the bad one is that it is a failsafe to protect the remaining lamps from being overdriven by that particular transformer. ICECAPs do that too. But, I could be mistaken.

I agree that the toughest thing about t5s is choosing the lamp combos. Even the same lamps in a different order will yield a different look.

I also just recently bought this fixture. Although they say they have individual reflectors, it is still one piece that is molded to fit between the bulbs. I was worried about splash, but was even more worried about the heat so instead of getting the lens cover I bought covers for just the ends to protect the end caps. Turns out to be just two pieces of acrylic that you could easily get and cut yourself. I use the legs but don't really like them very much since they look clunky and my tank is 48.5" so it is right at a transition point of how the legs get mounted.

I really like the look of the fixture and have no regrets in getting it. I'm not totally satisfied with my bulb selection, too white, but it does seem to put out a lot of light. I need to measure the par one of these days.

Derek
I was looking at a Tek light the other day (which may have been an older model) but it technically did not have individual reflectors, but instead one single one that was molded to imitate IRs. Are the new ones the same?
No those are the right models, technically there are not IRs but the other t-5's just have one long reflector.

Also I believe that the reason all the 4 lights go out instead of just the bad one is that it is a failsafe to protect the remaining lamps from being overdriven by that particular transformer. ICECAPs do that too. But, I could be mistaken.

I never thought of it like that but that makes good sense
budsreef

what is your current lighting set up

I also own a 8buln T5 light from tek. I love everything about the light besides the cover for the bulbs which seemed to bow after 10 minutes of being on. And I thought the legs where a little flimsy. But it gives alot of light for the money. All my corals are thriving with great colors.

Alot of people have seen my tank in person and really liked the light set up. I still want to go MH in the future as soon money pans out a little. Or I find a better career. LOL All in all I really think it was a great buy.

Love the tek fixtures, over my reef tank at the store! Lot of light and high Par output.

I also own this light fixture. I had originally bought a HQI fixture but was not happy with it so I sold it and got the 8 bulb version. Personally I love everything about this fixture. Its sleek, built well, easy to clean and maintain and very good performance. If anyone is looking for a good T-5 setup I would recommend this one. Only draw back is the lack of fans for cooling.

I believe Sunlight Supply actually has two different models of their t5 lights. THe lower end has one individually contoured reflector and the other has individual reflectors.

Auburn uses Tek setups to keep 'nems alive in their marine bio research lab. Also, unless it's a bad bulb, it shouldn't go out. They generally last a very long time and should be changed long before they burn out.