[Manwithnofish]

The light is very well made. Excellant quality. It will work in a canopy (many would not because they have exhaust fans built into the end of the light fixture). You can also purchase mounting brackets made for aquariums like mine (Oceanic) with wooden trims around the top. It comes with the German lamps which I think are of the highest quality. I remember there was an important distinction with the ballast needing to be smart electronically switched or something along those lines. Be sure to read about ballast.

Honestly, I am completely new to the hobby, so I had nothing to go on. The entire subject is very difficult to get a handle on. I was getting (and still do get) very conflicting advice from the forums. Some said for a 25" planted aquarium, I would need from 2 to 3 wpg. Half the people were telling me that 156 watts was for a Saltwater tank, while the other half said it might not be enough. I read as much as I could, I talked to the lfs, shopped around and purchased the Tek-Light.

I'm still not sure what to do. I think I'm coming to the conclusion (or being told so anyway) that I'll have to go to pressurized CO2 and EI dosing. Sometimes this whole thing just gets way too technical and I think I should have just bought a goldfish in a small round bowl. I'm coming to the conclusion that everyone tells you that (to use CO2 & EI) because that's what everyone is doing. It's what they know. In reality, there just isn't enough low-tek hobbist out there or maybe they just don't hang out on forums. It seems there is an overwhelming consensus opinion pushing everything down this 'high-tek' route. So, make up your mind right up front what your objectives are. Low-tek based on fewer plants maybe with less light or high-tek based on high light, CO2 suppliment, and dosing to support lots of plants. I don't know if any of that is correct, it's just my perception as someone who bought my first everything last month.

My point is that I'm still not sure if it's the "right" light system, but I think if I ever decide to go 'high tek', I know I have enough light.

You should really check out those links I posted (and any others). The watts per gallon thing can be very difficult because it really doesn't mean anything.