super dumb question embrace ur self

[derek yoonie]

was decidideding between ati dimmable or non dimmable 24" x 8 bulbs at 24 watts each bulb, does dimming the t5 reduce wattage use ? probably does but im not a electrician , so yeah.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Get the non dimmable.
Trust me. I’m an electrician.

 

[derek yoonie]

would like to hear in semi detail..

 

[reef life]

I have the non dimmable 60" ATI T-5 for over 5 years with no problems other than changing out bulbs once a year and cooling fans as needed. I'm still happy with set up. I don't know about the dimmable.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I thought for sure this thread was spam based on the title

 

[ca1ore]

I'm embracing myself ..... now what?

 

[derek yoonie]

my question is does dimming bulbs on a ati fixture reduce wattage , as in eletricitiy bill it should in theory, right and is it needed to run t5s to 100 ?for sps or like 75 percent

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Yea, I dunno if it’s cheaper. I’d use two tubes less to cut it down if that’s a concern.
It’s been my experience with all types of tubes and ballasts that it wears them out fast. Dimming makes heat. More and also less the manufacturer reccomends.
Ati says differently , but oh well.

An overly cooled tube will give you color problems, an overheated one will too. An overheated one will wear faster.

So a t5 at 12in will give you 160 or so, running at a 3-50 will drop it say 90? IMO , not worth it in the long run and just a response to consumer wants , and not actual needs.
I’d much rather use an LED hybrid.
Ati btw , makes a spectacular one.

A fwiw , you’d have to meter the out put of lamp to guage the bottom of the out put.
Ie , a mars aqua at 1% still puts out several hundred par at 12in.
I’d assume (explerinced ) tunes only dim so far , so it’s likely only 100-% to 40 or 50% diming range.