Help me pick out an ATI fixture.

.Marshall · Sep 4, 2012

Hey guys, I am in the planning stages of a frag tank build and I need some input from previous or current ATI T5 fixture owners. First of all frag tank description..

- It is a reef savvy rimless with starphire front; 36" Long x 20" Wide x 13" Deep with corner overflow.
- I will be hanging the fixture at about 10-15" above the water.
- Mostly SPS and zoas.
- The Blue Glow's Classic series frag rack.
- Apex controlled.

Now, question is which ATI fixture to buy? And yes, it will be ATI T5, no LED's no MH.. Fixture will be the 36" version.

- MAIN Question; 4 or 6 bulb?
- Sunpower, Dimmable Sunpower, or PowerModule?
- Is a dimmable worth the cost?

All constructive comments welcomed

Thanks!!

-Marshall

tgbaby · Sep 4, 2012

I would go with 6 bulb Sun Power. More bulbs means more par and more color options and the Sun Powers are just as good as the Power Modules. Ive owned both, only difference is the PM is more aesthetically pleasing. I wouldn't spend the extra money on a dimmable fixture but I've never owned one.

kc350twin · Sep 4, 2012

The PM is being discontinued so that takes one away. The size of that tank warrants a 4 bulb but I agree with Tg. The color options are better the more bulbs you get.

Kc3

.Marshall · Sep 4, 2012

kc350twin said:
The PM is being discontinued so that takes one away. The size of that tank warrants a 4 bulb but I agree with Tg. The color options are better the more bulbs you get.

Kc3

So there will only be the Sunpower left? I thought the Powermodule was the better of the two why would they discontinue it?

Lacktaters · Sep 5, 2012

ATI discontinued the 4-bulb powermodules...not all powermodules. I only know this because I recently picked up a 4x54 on closeout for $50 less than the price of the same sunpower. They also had the 4x39 on closeout for $300. It's hard to pass up the powermodule at that price. The powermodule looks nicer, is constructed with stainless steel vs aluminum, has more fans and interior ductwork for them. Both powermodule and sunpower use the same reflectors, same ballasts, and produce the same PAR levels. I'm a BIG fan of t5, but there is no denying that blue LEDs can bring out some of the sickest colors in your corals. I personally would drop $300 on the closeout 4x39 powermodule and attach a 3 foot all blue reefbrite XHO (order an aluminum colored one from the factory). Then you have the best of both worlds for less than the price of a 6x39 powermodule.

NVTE · Sep 5, 2012

I would go with 6 bulb ATI Sunpower or Powermodule to give better spread and more color spectrum option.

.Marshall · Sep 5, 2012

Lacktaters said:
ATI discontinued the 4-bulb powermodules...not all powermodules. I only know this because I recently picked up a 4x54 on closeout for $50 less than the price of the same sunpower. They also had the 4x39 on closeout for $300. It's hard to pass up the powermodule at that price. The powermodule looks nicer, is constructed with stainless steel vs aluminum, has more fans and interior ductwork for them. Both powermodule and sunpower use the same reflectors, same ballasts, and produce the same PAR levels. I'm a BIG fan of t5, but there is no denying that blue LEDs can bring out some of the sickest colors in your corals. I personally would drop $300 on the closeout 4x39 powermodule and attach a 3 foot all blue reefbrite XHO (order an aluminum colored one from the factory). Then you have the best of both worlds for less than the price of a 6x39 powermodule.

I see I can pick up a 4x39w Dimmable Powermodule for $300.. I think I need to jump on that and a reefbrite, you may have just convinced me man. I like the intensity of the color in blue LED's just not the overall look. Where would I place the reefbrite hung from the ceiling like the ATI but velcro'd to the ATI so it doesn't move freely? but then how much spread would I be getting with the Reefbrite as well will I burn coral being as close to the coral with the LED's as the T5's?

I am really seriously considering this so your input is highly valued! Thanks!

.Marshall · Sep 5, 2012

Well after researching it, It is easier to attach the reef brite right onto the ATI Sunpower but not the Powermodule. Now.. who thinks this would be a good idea? will I be burning corals with the reefbrite the same height as the T5's? and should I supplement with 2 reefbrites or just 1?

Lacktaters · Sep 6, 2012

I switched from an 8x54 T5 fixture to a 4x54 powermodule + 2x48" blue reefbrites and i cooked half my stonies. My red planet looks more like white planet right now. these ATI fixtures are easily 50% brighter than competing fixtures. I'm very happy with the color i'm getting from my T5/led hybrid fixture. I built my own bracket out of 1/4 inch acrylic and shortened the reefbrites by almost an inch myself with a bandsaw.