actual difference

[MO3N]

i have a 75 gallon tank that i am looking at setting up really soon. i want to go with T5HO and i want a 48" 4 bulb system. i have heard that tek lights are the best i have done my research but are tek lights really that much better then any other T5HO with individual reflectors? for instance the catalina system that i have also heard alot about on this site. i want to get the most light possible out of a system like this and im willing to spend the money on a tek system if they truely are better then the rest. (system willl be hung over my tank, all open i think ill be running Giesemannbulbs, unless the system comes with bulbs.)

thanks for the help.

[unirdna]

Where's Lauralee? She has purchased the catalina T5's.

I've never seen the Catalinas in person, so I can offer no comparison. I have seen the tek lights, and they are very very nice.

[plantbrain]

I'd say spend the dough on the TEK.

Regards,
Tom Barr

[dhavoc]

i have both. while the catalina is pretty damn good, i still prefer my tek's. personal bias maybe, but they just "appear" so much brighter to me. both do just fine growing plants, so it up to you. teks dont come with bulbs so you would need to purchase those separately unless you buy them as a bundled set. but you at least still get to choose the bulbs. my 2.5 year old giesmanns are still going strong, and you wont be dissapointed with them.

[MO3N]

i have seen a few people with the tek light over a 75 and there tanks look amazing....im sure alot of it has to do with the owners of the tank as well but getting a good light to start with is alot better then just upgrading later on.

[captain_bu]

Originally Posted by dhavoc

i have both. while the catalina is pretty damn good, i still prefer my tek's. personal bias maybe, but they just "appear" so much brighter to me.

Brighter using the same exact bulbs? If the bulbs are not identical I am not sure that you can compare which fixture is getting more light into the tank based on the design of the unit and quality of reflectors. It would be great if there was info available as to what the PAR level differences are between the two using identical bulbs over the same size and depth tank. Obviously don't expect anyone to have that info but hopefully that is the kind of info will become available once people start getting their recently ordered $150 PAR meters and running some tests. I have no doubt that the TEK is the better fixture of the two but at approximately twice the price without bulbs (if you are comparing the 48" 4 x54 models) I would want a significantly higher "bang for the buck" from the TEK before I could justify spending the extra money. You can buy the Catalina, replace the bulbs with Geismanns and still spend a lot less than the cost of the TEK with no bulbs.

[MO3N]

Originally Posted by captain_bu

Brighter using the same exact bulbs? If the bulbs are not identical I am not sure that you can compare which fixture is getting more light into the tank based on the design of the unit and quality of reflectors. It would be great if there was info available as to what the PAR level differences are between the two using identical bulbs over the same size and depth tank. Obviously don't expect anyone to have that info but hopefully that is the kind of info will become available once people start getting their recently ordered $150 PAR meters and running some tests. I have no doubt that the TEK is the better fixture of the two but at approximately twice the price without bulbs (if you are comparing the 48" 4 x54 models) I would want a significantly higher "bang for the buck" from the TEK before I could justify spending the extra money. You can buy the Catalina, replace the bulbs with Geismanns and still spend a lot less than the cost of the TEK with no bulbs.

very true it will be hard to tell unless people have had par meters on each light but i was look also at quality, life expectance and light into the tank as well just what one is going to be all around a better fixture.

[dhavoc]

yes, i only use giesmann bulbs in my t5ho fixtures. shipping to this rock is astronomical to say the least, so i dont even bother with any other brand. i was happy with the first set i tried, so why mess around to save a couple of bucks. thats why i said "appears", doesnt mean its actually putting out more light as i dont have a meter, but it is my personal opinion comparing the two. i'm sure someone will do a test eventually to settle it scientifically.

[Naja002]

Originally Posted by captain_bu

Brighter using the same exact bulbs? If the bulbs are not identical I am not sure that you can compare which fixture is getting more light into the tank based on the design of the unit and quality of reflectors. It would be great if there was info available as to what the PAR level differences are between the two using identical bulbs over the same size and depth tank. Obviously don't expect anyone to have that info but hopefully that is the kind of info will become available once people start getting their recently ordered $150 PAR meters and running some tests. I have no doubt that the TEK is the better fixture of the two but at approximately twice the price without bulbs (if you are comparing the 48" 4 x54 models) I would want a significantly higher "bang for the buck" from the TEK before I could justify spending the extra money. You can buy the Catalina, replace the bulbs with Geismanns and still spend a lot less than the cost of the TEK with no bulbs.

Agreed on every point.

Originally Posted by MO3N

very true it will be hard to tell unless people have had par meters on each light but i was look also at quality, life expectance and light into the tank as well just what one is going to be all around a better fixture.

There don't seem to be any indications of lack of quality on the catalina lights. I've had the 4 x 54w 48" since july 08 and have not had any issues with it. The difference in price? It's manufacturer direct. No distributors, retailers, etc marking up the price.

I've not owned a Tek, so I cannot directly answer your question, but the 48" 4 x 54w catalina is more light then you'll ever need.....

Also, they will swap out the actinic at no charge. I don't know if they carry the Geismanns--you'd have to call and ask.

[MO3N]

i have searched for a tek light review and couldnt find much of one. but the catalina review the lighting system looks very good but from the pictures i have seen of the tek lights (have not been as detailed as the catalina review) but the tek light looks more sturdy, also the light will be hung with wire and the tek is set up better for that im not sure how the catalina "shell" will hold up to a modified set up to allow it to be hung.

[ingg]

It (TEK) is a lot better build. You can debate about PAR meters and such till the cows come home (and I'd be interested in seeing it, too), but in the end, it is a better light and has superior output.

I own TEKs, I own a Catalina. TEK reflectors have several bends around each bulb, Catalinas do not - think of the difference between an AHsupply reflector vs. a coralife reflector, but around each T5 bulb. If you believe that AHsupply reflectors make a difference, then you should apply the same sort of thinking to a Catalina vs. TEK comparison, as well.

Catalina hoods are also not a solid section, so it could potentially become a bit interesting hanging it pendant style - you'd be depending on the end caps of the fixture to hold it all together withstanding force from the opposite direction of what it is built for on the housing itself. It (the casing) is a 3 piece mold that gets fit together and secured in place with the end caps.

This is not meant to construe I am unhappy with my Catalina. It does its job, and is adequate light for my 75g.

I didn't go in to the transaction wanting an equivalent to a TEK; and while a better fixture than many mainstream commercial ones IMHO, the Catalina isn't a TEK equivalent and shouldn't be looked at as such.

[lauraleellbp]

My 2 cents:

If you want to spend the money and get the most light out of a fixture you can get, then go with the Teks.

If you want the most bang for your buck, then get the Catalinas.

Catalina does sell a hanging bracket to go with their fixtures. I've got mine on legs, but I know there's someone else on here who hung theirs... I was thinking it was you, Naja?

I love mine, and me being my own thrifty self, I don't ever think I'll own a Tek unless I come across a deal I just can't pass up next time I'm in the market for a fixture. I'm really happy with my Solar.

(One of these days I'll upgrade to Geisemann bulbs, but for now I'm running some a Hagen PowerGlo and the Catalina bulbs it came with. They are pretty high on the blue spectrum, so you probably should mix in some lower kelvins if you keep the 10k. I even kept in one of the actinics b/c it really makes my Cardinal tetras GLOW )

[Naja002]

It was installed and I have the hangers, but the light is sitting on the rim of the tank......No, it's not laziness.....

[MO3N]

Originally Posted by ingg

It (TEK) is a lot better build. You can debate about PAR meters and such till the cows come home (and I'd be interested in seeing it, too), but in the end, it is a better light and has superior output.

I own TEKs, I own a Catalina. TEK reflectors have several bends around each bulb, Catalinas do not - think of the difference between an AHsupply reflector vs. a coralife reflector, but around each T5 bulb. If you believe that AHsupply reflectors make a difference, then you should apply the same sort of thinking to a Catalina vs. TEK comparison, as well.

Catalina hoods are also not a solid section, so it could potentially become a bit interesting hanging it pendant style - you'd be depending on the end caps of the fixture to hold it all together withstanding force from the opposite direction of what it is built for on the housing itself. It (the casing) is a 3 piece mold that gets fit together and secured in place with the end caps.

This is not meant to construe I am unhappy with my Catalina. It does its job, and is adequate light for my 75g.

I didn't go in to the transaction wanting an equivalent to a TEK; and while a better fixture than many mainstream commercial ones IMHO, the Catalina isn't a TEK equivalent and shouldn't be looked at as such.

ok that was kinda what i was looking for. thanks for everyones advice. i think ill go with a TEK as long as no other major expences come up with in the next few weeks.

one more question that i didnt think needed a complete new thread. with the giesemann bulbs i have heard that people love the look of midday and i think its called the flora bulbs. would you recomend two of each or 3 middays and one flora or does it all come to personal choice?