Upgrading my T5's thinking ATI

dragon99 · Feb 28, 2017

Personally I'd skip the dimming fixture also. Get the 6x54W instead for the same price and use the 2bulb channel for dusk/dawn

Brad Bessett · Feb 28, 2017

I went with a 48" ATI on my 59" tank intentionally so I could have some lower light areas on the edges (and I'm glad I did). I see no reason why you couldn't get away with a 36" on a 48".

I went with the Dimmable version as I like the ramping and hear the rumors of dimmable bulbs going out faster to be false (as long as you break in at 100% for 50 hrs.).

Jimbo662 · Feb 28, 2017

I've looked at all the options too and will be ordering the sunpower 6 bulb fixture in the next couple of weeks.

mitchell01 · Feb 28, 2017

Thanks for all the responses dimmable or no

Jimbo662 · Mar 1, 2017

I'm going all dimmable.

johanngh1977 · Mar 1, 2017

Sunpower!!¡ you can add some led for ramp...no t5

Fritzhamer · Mar 1, 2017

I have a 48" tank and I've done both the 48" and the 36". I much prefer the 36". The par t5 video on BRS shows that the sides of the tank get higher par due to the light reflecting off the glass. There is no worry in keeping corals right up to the edges. Also with a 48" fixture you blast the side panels with light and end up cleaning them every day. With a 36" the light spread is perfect. Personally I love the 36" dimmable.

mitchell01 · Mar 1, 2017

Fritzhamer said:
I have a 48" tank and I've done both the 48" and the 36". I much prefer the 36". The par t5 video on BRS shows that the sides of the tank get higher par due to the light reflecting off the glass. There is no worry in keeping corals right up to the edges. Also with a 48" fixture you blast the side panels with light and end up cleaning them every day. With a 36" the light spread is perfect. Personally I love the 36" dimmable.

Thanks for the opinion will take it into consideration

FFKiwi · Mar 2, 2017

I just bought the ATI 48" Dimmable shown above. The 6 bulb version and I LOVE IT. Best investment ever. GREAT company and GREAT bulbs. The bulbs are only $20/piece and you can get a good 10 months out of them if you follow their suggested times. They'll even tell you what bulb comb is best for your corals =)

Scott.h · Mar 2, 2017

The tank is 48" by what? Personally I'd go with the 6 bulb at least so you have other bulb options. I have the Ati dimmable sun power 8 bulb 54w. I'm not sure why people dog the dimmable fixtures. 2 things. First if I ran in full power I'd cook stuff. Second I like the ramping up and down effect. Burn in the new bulbs for 3 days, 24 hours straight on full. So here's the thing. If you lose bulb strength because you dim them, turn them up. If you lose a month of bulb life, who cares. It's not that big of a deal. In general with the hobby it's not that costly. You shouldn't have a problem getting a year out of the bulbs. It's a good fixture and I've had no issues so far. I like the 8 bulb because I use the second channel for slower ramp up and moonlight. Both channels are at about 60 percent.

dieselkeeper · Mar 2, 2017

8x80 non dimmable sunpower. I can grow SPS on the sandbed on 27 inches deep tank. Save some coin and go with the non dimmable fixture. You won't regret getting a ATI fixture.

Scott.h · Mar 2, 2017

dieselkeeper said:
8x80 non dimmable sunpower. I can grow SPS on the sandbed on 27 inches deep tank. Save some coin and go with the non dimmable fixture. You won't regret getting a ATI fixture.

What if you want Zoas on the sand bed and sps towards the top of the rockwork? All you can do is raise the fixture.

jason2459 · Mar 2, 2017

If you go dimmable get a second really cheap new or used fixture and can even be like a dual bulb retro setup. Then buy bulbs ahead of time and burn them in at 100% ahead of time.

mitchell01 · Mar 2, 2017

What's the consensus dimmable or no dimmable

Scott.h · Mar 2, 2017

mitchell01 said:
What's the consensus dimmable or no dimmable

valvoline. Crap, wrong forum

Fritzhamer · Mar 2, 2017

Saving coin is always good, personally I love the dimmable feature. The ramp up and down is great and doesn't degrade bulb life so long as you burn them in first. It creates a really natural effect and I'm glad I went dimmable. It also allows me to keep the lights on longer (like in real life) by starting really dim, ramping up and then back down.