Ati Powermodule vs 2 ai sol blue

Jordangil · Aug 18, 2012

I am currently debating on setting up a tank with 2 ai sols or a ati power module ( 6x54w) . I already got a good deal on 1 ai sol blue and controller so its on its way . But I started thinking about how powerful they ( ai nano) were on my 14g and started second guessing myself. The problem was : Normally when you buy coral for a tank you think oh I have t5 or mh etc I need to put the coral on the bottom or put it here . Well with the ai sols I didn't even know if my lights were to bright or not bright enough , I wasn't sure if it was bad placement or low light or to high of light so It really sucked . I can buy a used ati powermodule for the price of one used ai sol , so 2 ai's would cost me 650 ish and 1 powermodule would cost me 300 . I can afford both theres no problem there I am just unsure on what I should get . The tank will probably be a 75g rimless tank I am very unsure as I see some very nice color from t5's and very very nice color from the ai sols so its kinda a pain in the *** trying to figure this out . It seems like the led's will be better in the long run because of bulb replacement of the t5 and the led's will last me at least 5 years before I have to fork over 25.00 a puck for replacements so thats not to bad . I like the idea of being able to control the ai sol as well its pretty sick . I don't mind selling the ai sol because I know I will get what I paid back out of it , I am kinda thinking to go with my gut feeling and stick with led's and try to borrow a par meter or rent one when I set up my tank and be done with it .
Whats your opinions ?

FishLipz · Aug 18, 2012

I'm a big fan of LEDs. They give you control, low operating cost, low heat, and are able to be upgraded at a reasonable cost too. So far, I can't find any drawbacks using them. One thing I do like about T5s is the wide selection of bulbs to fine tune your color preference. But it's not enough for me to give up my LEDs.

NVTE · Aug 18, 2012

How about get the ATI for growth and add 2 ReefBrite LED bar? I will give you great grow and nice look as same time. are you going to SPS ? I still doubt about growing SPS under LED.

shecter · Aug 18, 2012

I just made that desicion. It was between 2 ai blue or an ati. I know my system has done well for t5 lighting so ended up opting for another t5 setup. Just could justify the startup costs when it could bleach or starve my coral. Not to mention everyone I talked to about it said id need 3 ai at 400 a piece. I picked up a brand new tek elite fixture. And new bulbs for slightly more than one new ai. Jm2c

Jordangil · Aug 18, 2012

I have thought about doing the led and t5 thing . I could do that but not reefbrite lol 250 a piece or something like that they aren't even that bright . I am planning on keeping mostly chalices and other stuff like that so I am worried about the ai leds being to powerful and bleaching them out .

Jordangil · Aug 18, 2012

I am pretty sure I will have no problem getting what I paid back out of the ai sol .

m and m · Aug 18, 2012

Jordangil said:
I have thought about doing the led and t5 thing . I could do that but not reefbrite lol 250 a piece or something like that they aren't even that bright . I am planning on keeping mostly chalices and other stuff like that so I am worried about the ai leds being to powerful and bleaching them out .

I would highly recommend T5's if you are doing mainly chalices. I would highly recommend AI's if you where doing mostly sps, I personally would never use all LED on a chalice dominate tank, I feel like I get no where near the color I can with T5's. I must say though a good ATI fixture with some supplement LED's is the way to go. I feel it so so hard to get great coloring with LED's on chalices and even harder to find that sweet spot to where they are happy. T5's it's super easy and I feel the color is 100% better.

Jordangil · Aug 18, 2012

m and m said:
I would highly recommend T5's if you are doing mainly chalices. I would highly recommend AI's if you where doing mostly sps, I personally would never use all LED on a chalice dominate tank, I feel like I get no where near the color I can with T5's. I must say though a good ATI fixture with some supplement LED's is the way to go. I feel it so so hard to get great coloring with LED's on chalices and even harder to find that sweet spot to where they are happy. T5's it's super easy and I feel the color is 100% better.

The only sps I would want would be some montiporas and leptoseris but I guess your talking more about acro and stuff like that . I am thinking t5's more than anything right now .