Sps lighting kessil vs ati

Jonathan Gill · May 16, 2018

I currently have a 54g reefer 250 with 2 a360w. I love the shimmer but have noticed a bit of shadowing and many of my across don't pop with color(compared to radion/ai/t5) that they come from.
I got a nice deal on a 36" ATI powermodule led/t5 combo. I didn't realize how heavy it was and am having difficulty hanging the unit.
I'm wondering if I should resell the ati and get a 3rs a360w or is the ati so good that I need to find a way to hang?

nautical_nathaniel · May 16, 2018

Have you thought about the AquaticLife hybrid fixture? That might help solve your shadowing issues and I think it doesn't weigh as much as the ATI powermodule.

hijinks7 · May 16, 2018

I second the aquaticlife hybrid. I have it over my 120g and love it.

Eder · May 16, 2018

Jonathan Gill said:
I currently have a 54g reefer 250 with 2 a360w. I love the shimmer but have noticed a bit of shadowing and many of my across don't pop with color(compared to radion/ai/t5) that they come from.
I got a nice deal on a 36" ATI powermodule led/t5 combo. I didn't realize how heavy it was and am having difficulty hanging the unit.
I'm wondering if I should resell the ati and get a 3rs a360w or is the ati so good that I need to find a way to hang?

Both!!!! We have both over our tank and it’s the best lighting combo we’ve ever had.

2 360we
36” 10 bulb ATI

MRodrigues1991 · May 16, 2018

what are you're issues with hanging it exactly?

Jonathan Gill · May 16, 2018

nautical_nathaniel said:
Have you thought about the AquaticLife hybrid fixture? That might help solve your shadowing issues and I think it doesn't weigh as much as the ATI powermodule.

mahindra.dev · May 16, 2018

Checkout @crabs_mcjones build (pg5). He did a good job on the combo fixture. +1 on hybrid fixtures.

Jonathan Gill · May 16, 2018

I did consider aquatic life but ended up with a great deal on the powermodule.
Issue is that it's a rental.
Fixture probably weighs 25-30 pounds.
Some folks are saying to just install toggle bolts thru the sheetrock ceiling and it will be good enough. The previous owner had them. My gut tells me to attach to a joist (2story) but they are steel bar joists and seems more complicated. Perhaps a light rail or 2x wood across - these seem kinda ugly to me and this is why I was wondering if I should just get a 3rd kessil with gooseneck and sell ati

Reefltx · May 16, 2018

Aesthetically, the ATI would look the best and plus it’s a par monster.

Crabs McJones · May 16, 2018

Is your ceiling dry wall? If so dry wall anchors are able to hold 20 to 35 pounds. I do have the AL fixture, which is only 12 pounds. But I used big wing drywall anchors to hang it from the ceiling. Something similar to these. And the cables that came with the light wern't long enough so I ran to walmart and got hanging cable, reused the fittings that came with the light and made my own cables.

Jonathan Gill · May 16, 2018

I was thinking of using the same. Would use 2 and each would have about 12#. Some folks think this is overloading the sheetrock.

Crabs McJones · May 16, 2018

29bonsaireef · May 16, 2018

Stick with the ATI. Best T5 fixtures IMO. Depending one the amount of bulbs you could still maybe run the Kessils on the blue channel for some extra pop. If you have a 8 or 10 bulb fixture I would go straight T5.

Jonathan Gill · May 16, 2018

The powermodule is the 2x75 LEDs + 4x39w hybrid model.

Eder · May 16, 2018

29bonsaireef · May 16, 2018

Sorry missed that part.. I would still vote for the ATI. I've had my fixtures for a few years now no issues, and they grow corals like crazy.

Reefltx · May 16, 2018

Jonathan Gill said:
The powermodule is the 2x75 LEDs + 4x39w hybrid model.

I have that on my 4 ft tank. 20inch deep hung 8” off the rim, at 100% I’m getting about 450-500 par on the sandbed!

Jonathan Gill · May 16, 2018

@ATI North America. What is ATIs recommendation for hanging on ceiling? I've seen a YouTube video with a toggle only. Would this be considered adequate for sheetrock ceiling?

Sarah24! · May 16, 2018

Hello,

Just FYI if you decide to hang these from your ceiling, make sure you place a full size sheet over the top of your tank. You do not want sheet rock thingies falling into your tank. Have you considered, a machine shop? They can make a custom bracket per side and should be glass safe. The aquarium here where I live, has a machine shop make custom brackets. If I get a chance to visit the aquarium I can take pics. It was only like 80 dollars if memory serves me right.

29bonsaireef · May 16, 2018

ATI makes a hanging kit that works well. Usually comes with any new fixture I think. This is the 60" 8x80w sunpower I have hung with the hanging kit from ATI