6 bulb vs 8 bulb ATI dimmable

whatchamacallit · Nov 15, 2015

I know this is a hard question to answer, but I really want to switch to t5s.

I have a Red Sea reeder 170 that's 39 gallon display. Would I be better getting the 6 bulb and adding leds or get the 8 bulb.

Any suggestions
Or comments

rboutin111 · Nov 15, 2015

I'm about to switch from LEDs to T-5s. I've been told to go with 8 bulbs to have more bulb comb options. What are you switching from?

whatchamacallit · Nov 15, 2015

Switching from LEDs. Nobody has the dimmable 8 bulb though in stock which stinks

whatchamacallit · Nov 15, 2015

Radion leds to be exact

rboutin111 · Nov 15, 2015

Same here. What length are you looking for? Are there specific reasons you want to switch?

whatchamacallit · Nov 15, 2015

24 inch. And I just want to do something different. I had success with leds but I want to have something to plug and play

NeverlosT · Nov 15, 2015

Whatchamacallit, I have the 8 bulb dimmable ATI power module. Honestly I suggest not paying for the dimmable (if you have another option).
A. running T5s dimmed reduces their life
B. I honestly never dim them. It isn't so powerful that you NEED to dim them to not nuke corals (like LED is).

I have added two LED strips made from rapidLED parts on the front and back of the module which increases its coverage on my 36"x36" cube.

The LED is cool though because I just run those as my evening/morning lights, then the one channel of T5 comes on with an Actinic and a Blue+, then the other channel comes on with a mix of Blue +, Fiji Purple, and Aquablue specials.

My suggestion would be go non-dimmable T5 6 bulb, then add some LED strips, do your sunrise/sunset with LED, then just have the T5s turn on/off.

Hope that helps!

Heres a pic of my lights:

imageuploadedbytapatalk1404701105-172050-jpg.161101

whatchamacallit · Nov 15, 2015

Well the biggest reason I want to do dimmable is because of the controller not necessarily the dimming feature. That's a great right up though and very insightful !

rboutin111 · Nov 15, 2015

ATI North America has this unit for sale. It's factory seconds so 25% off.

ATI 24" 8x24W Dimmable SunPower w/ Controller (TBD) - FACTORY 2ND - 25% - Used for less than 30 days by end user
MSRP-$563.95
25% off Discount price - $422.96

Just go to their page on here.

whatchamacallit · Nov 15, 2015

I'd rather have brand new for the longer warranty, it's worth it to me! Maybe BRS will get it next week

Reef2Javi · Nov 15, 2015

im currently trying make the switch to T5s as well. Ive had great success with the Radion but i want to try something new

propbably going with an 8 bulb and two reefbrites

jeremy · Nov 15, 2015

Just contact ATI North America on their sponsor thread on r2r. They have excellent customer service and amazing lights. They should be able to take care of you. I have ordered fans and fan power supply directly from them.

jeremy · Nov 15, 2015

How wide is your tank front to back? It's usually recommended 1 bulb per 3 inches of tank width. Front to back. 8 bulb sound like over kill to me. But more options for bulb combos.

whatchamacallit · Nov 15, 2015

It's a 24x20 tank

jeremy · Nov 16, 2015

Yeah. 8 bulb sunpower. You can add led strip later if you want. I like them for a little pop before lights out.

whatchamacallit · Nov 16, 2015

I was planning on doing 2 actinics is why I want to do 8

bkelley02 · Nov 16, 2015

NeverlosT, how'd did you attach the LED's to the fixture?

Pete polyp · Nov 16, 2015

20"deep tank..... definitely 8 bulb

whatchamacallit · Nov 20, 2015

What do you think about an Ati Powermodule 4 bulb

Sabellafella · Nov 20, 2015

whatchamacallit said:
What do you think about an Ati Powermodule 4 bulb

i just added 2 reefbrite blues on my 8 bulb today extends over the sides of my reefer 45p, i kno you like your leds nd i think you should go with the 6 and atleast 1 reefbrite looks sooo awesome