True Very High Output VHO T5 lamps are arguable the most significant advancement in fluorescent lighting technology this year and we are already impressed with the Tek Lite Ultra Elite from Sunlight Supply. The Tek Lite Ultra Elite was first demoed at MACNA back in September but no lamps were available at the time so we didn’t get a chance to see it fired up. Finally, a couple weeks ago at Reefapalooza we spied our first look at the Tek Light Ultra Elite sporting the brand new Aqualux lamps, the exclusive VHO T5 lamps from Sunlight Supply.
Veterans of using T5 lamps over reef tanks will be startled upon first seeing the four lamp Tek Ultra Elite. When we first approached the VHO T5 fixture, our intuition told us that there must be at least six bulbs under the light to create such a tremendous light output, and we found ourselves double checking that there was still only four lamps under the hood. After repeatedly reassuring ourselves of the number of bulbs, we were then impressed by the spread and intensity of this light, and the great color rendition that comes from using one of each of the Aqualux lamps.
As if that weren’t enough, the Tek Ultra Elite is sporting an array of six adjustable three-watt blue LEDs for shimmer during the day, and moonlight at night. The high power of these VHO lamps means they need a little extra cooling which is handily provided by the “Boeing Aerospace engineered cooling system”. The Tek Ultra Elite will be available in Q1 2011 first as a four lamp unit for $799 and we look forward to seeing the long term performance of the VHO T5 light.
