ATI or LED Help me decide????

[treedog5]

I'm in the process of collecting all the equipment I will be using for my 75 gallon upgrade tank. I currently have 2 Ocean Revive Artic T-247 lights that I'm using and honestly have no problems with, but I came across what I think is a good deal on a ATI light and need help making a decision. The ATI is a 36" 4 bulb fixture for $200, do you guys think this would a worth while upgrade? From what I have read so far the 4 bulb fixture doesn't really put off that much par and the 6 bulb seems to be a better option, if that is true then I will pass on this deal. I just need some feedback from current or past user of the ATI fixture to help me make a sound decision. If it matters I plan to keep some SPS but predominately LPS, (Torches, Hammers, Anemones) you get the idea.

 

[CodyRVA]

I have a 6 bulb ATI and i love it. I did a simple & inexpensive DIY LED moonlight mod. You're not going to have an issue with an ATI fixture putting out too low of par, but you should absolutely buy the fixture that best meets the demands for the reef you want. What are the dimensions on your 75G? As far as LED vs T5, thats an ongoing argument and from my experience really comes down to personal preference and quality of fixture.

 

[nova65ss]

I have 4 bulb ati on my frag tank at the office over a 36 x 20 x 18 and it is more than enough. A 6 bulb would give you better options for the color you like to view the tank for sure.

There is a big difference in the look a t5 gives off over full led and if you've never had t5 it will take some time to adjust to the way the tank looks but in the end it is an improvement. I love the blue pop leds gives for moonlights and always add a reefbrite for nite time viewing.

 

[treedog5]

Yeah I'm very familiar with the T5 vs LED topic, so I don't really want to start a debate on that. I guess my main concern is will the 4 bulb fixture provide good coverage and give good growth on a 48 1/2L x 18 1/2W x 21 3/8H tank? Would it provide a noticeable benefit to the corals to justify the $200 or should I just use that money to get other equipment? Also do you guys think that's a good price or about the normal asking price for a used fixture of that size?

 

[Highgrade]

ATI for sure.

 

[CodyRVA]

Honestly, I think it depends what you want in your reef. I have an ATI 4 foot, 6 bulb fixture on a DBP 4 foot by 2 foot by 16 inch H tank. I can say that low light corals do not do well in my tank. I have the light about a foot over the water. So, my setup is ideal for SPS. I do have a mixed reef, but my zoas took time to acclimate, LPS are on the ends of the tank. If any acan, chalice, etc gets pushed into the center or falls out of under the shade... it's toast. So, that light will work no doubt, you'll just have to position your SPS accordingly. You'd have more par range than I get. I think its a good deal. I paid $250 for my 6 bulb, but it did need some cleaning up. What shape is this fixture in?

 

[treedog5]

The fixture appears to be in great condition, seller said it's only 1 year old. The fixture will be in my canopy so it will be pretty close to the water, I'm kinda worried now because I mainly like to keep LPS and with what Cody is saying I may get to much Par.....

 

[CodyRVA]

The fixture appears to be in great condition, seller said it's only 1 year old. The fixture will be in my canopy so it will be pretty close to the water, I'm kinda worried now because I mainly like to keep LPS and with what Cody is saying I may get to much Par.....

I keep euphyllia with my 6 bulb, you won't burn them with a 4 bulb over a 4 foot tank, especially since you have a deeper tank than I do, I only have a 16 inch, you said you have 23? Measure how high off the water your canopy is. Another trick you can try is using old bulbs in the fixture and add a bulb at a time over a few weeks to slowly ramp up the PAR so your corals can adjust, but I doubt you'll have any issues.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

How much light do you have with the leds. And how high over the tank will the t5 be.
That's waht I would look at.
I would totally encounter a the switch merely based on it really really fun to experiment. IMO t5 has nuances led does not.
I put t5 on my 55 at 8in and growth was explosive. That was w junky retro fit reflectors.
We can help you do the par math if you'd like.

 

[Water Dog]

ATIs are great fixtures, no doubt. But for your size tank, I wouldn't swap out your LEDs unless it was a 6 bulb ATI fixture.

 

[treedog5]

ATIs are great fixtures, no doubt. But for your size tank, I wouldn't swap out your LEDs unless it was a 6 bulb ATI fixture.

So what is the reason you say this? Is it Par or coverage that I would lack with the 4 bulb?

 

[treedog5]

How much light do you have with the leds. And how high over the tank will the t5 be.
That's waht I would look at.
I would totally encounter a the switch merely based on it really really fun to experiment. IMO t5 has nuances led does not.
I put t5 on my 55 at 8in and growth was explosive. That was w junky retro fit reflectors.
We can help you do the par math if you'd like.

I don't have a clue as to how much par I'm getting from my Leds, I know it's a lot though because I have to set them at a very low percent or else my zoas will shrivel up real bad.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I don't have a clue as to how much par I'm getting from my Leds, I know it's a lot though because I have to set them at a very low percent or else my zoas will shrivel up real bad.

Lux meter. and light an nutrints are linked. Folks have the same zoas in a very wide range of light I'm finding.(50 to 250 in general 300+ for some) But many of the Leds are a lot more powerful than most expect too.

 

[Water Dog]

I think the 4 bulb 36" fixture will be fine for zoas and softies, even properly placed LPS in your 48"x18"x21" tank. However as you progress in the hobby and take on higher light demanding corals if you so choose, you will limit yourself with the 4 bulb fixture. With a 6 bulb or higher bulb count fixture, you could always choose to shut off pairs of bulbs if you want to lower light output. However, if you need more light down the road, you cannot turn on bulbs that you don't have.

 

[treedog5]

Well, I'm still unsure lol. Seems I'm getting mixed responses

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

yea. pretty normal.
ill go back to estimate your par now. decide if you want more or close to the same.
me personally I think a B+ C+ C+ B+ hong at 10 in is gonna be punchy, and liley more than you have now.
The only thing I would miss is the ramp and morning and night blue.

quick question do you have a lot of purple coralline algae?

 

[ksc]

I'd be looking for a 6 bulb 48" fixture. The ends of t5 fixtures put off very little light. If you are planning on growing out your tank for a long time or putting a frag rack on the side of your tank you'll thank me....

 

[dragon99]

On my 75g (73, but who's counting) I replaced my LED's with an 8-bulb T5. However, I'm currently only running 4 bulbs and that is more than enough PAR. I've bleached my coralline in lots of places due to the increased light. Fortunately my corals (mostly SPS) have responded well.

Mine only concern in your situation, is the 36" light over a 48" tank. It would work, but I'm using a 48" fixture.

 

[treedog5]

quick question do you have a lot of purple coralline algae?

Yes my rocks are covered in coralline, what does that tell you??

Okay so it seems the fixture will be to short and I really need at least 6 bulbs to gain a true benefit, I think you guys have pretty much gave me what I needed. Keeping the LEDs for now unless I come across a sweet deal on a 6 bulb fixture. Thanks everyone!!!!

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Yes my rocks are covered in coralline, what does that tell you??

the light from the four tube would blast the coralline off the rocks like mine and dragons99's because there's likely more par than the led setings your using now.

keep an eye out for a 48in.