Dimmable Vs. Non Dimmable

JWHITESP88 · Mar 16, 2016

So I am in the market for a T5 fixture. I have read tons and tons on these things and have pretty much made my mind up that I will be purchasing an ATI fixture. I do have a question before I purchase it though, dimmable or non-dimmable and why? This will be my first t5 fixture and it will be going over the top of a 57 deep blue rimless. Also if you have another suggestion other than ATI I would love to hear about them. I am looking at the 36" 4 bulb fixture, but would a 24" 6 bulb suit me better?

bklynreef123 · Mar 16, 2016

I run a 6x39w ATI dimmable on my tank and I am very happy with it. The integrated controller is nice for getting rid of timers or freeing up outlets on your controller. You can get some pretty nice dusk/dawn effects with the dimmable and I personally think it's worth it. As far as if the 24" vs the 36" I think you could "get away" with the 24" for softies and less demanding corals, but if you want sps I would recommend the 36" fixture and I would go 6 bulbs instead of 4.

luke33 · Mar 16, 2016

I would agree with the above, get the 6x36". I run a non dimmable 8x80w ati and really like it. I ended up swapping out the blue + bulb's for some blue pop e5 led which give me the great blue pop from led, but still have the t5's as my main lights. I have run t5 for 7rys, led for 5yrs and mh's for 2yrs. They are all nice but I prefer t5's.

KingTriton · Mar 16, 2016

I prefer the non-dimmable version myself. Especially if you have an Apex or equivalent on hand. IMO more parts = more things that can fail on you.

36'' - 6 bulb would be my recommendation.

Kungpaoshizi · Mar 16, 2016

Remembering the days of lots of window screen and metal halides (radion guy now) always go for the dimmable version..

bklynreef123 · Mar 16, 2016

Oops read wrong!!! So worth it to have the dimmable function.

JWHITESP88 · Mar 16, 2016

Thanks for the replies guys. I think I am going with the dimmable and see how it goes. I will be keeping LPS and softies. I do want to try my hand at some "EASY" SPS if there is such a thing at some point. I guess I'm worried with the 6 bulb it might be to much for my LPS and softies.

bklynreef123 · Mar 16, 2016

I have a few LPS and they do fine with the 6x39w. If you feel the par is too high you could always run an actinic bulb which puts out less par, or go ahead and dim the lights. You might decide to go sps later, it would be nice not to have to buy a new fixture.

JWHITESP88 · Mar 17, 2016

I appreciate it. I think I am going to go with the 6 bulb.

Fin · Mar 17, 2016

With a dimmable fixture, be aware that ATI recommends that the bulbs go through a 50 hour "burn in" period at 100% power, prior to dimming the bulbs. Not doing the burn in may affect the life of the bulb.

JWHITESP88 · Mar 18, 2016

Thanks fin. Have been looking at that and have heard both people doing it and also jumping straight in. I think I will take the safe road and just do.

smh254 · Mar 18, 2016

jdwhite807 said:
Thanks for the replies guys. I think I am going with the dimmable and see how it goes. I will be keeping LPS and softies. I do want to try my hand at some "EASY" SPS if there is such a thing at some point. I guess I'm worried with the 6 bulb it might be to much for my LPS and softies.

Just know if you get the dimmable fixture you have to burn in the bulbs for at least 50 hours. For me I have an old tek fixture that I use to burn in the bulbs.

ifarmer · Mar 19, 2016

For those that said non dimmable is better and they would prefer non dimmable fixture.
I was wonderi g if the price of the Ati non dimmable and ati the dimmable are they same. Would they still prefer to buy the non dimmable one.
Thanks