Which ATI fixture should I choose?

booth2010 · May 18, 2015

So I have decided that I may not go with LED for the time being and get a T5 fixture. I figure if I am going to go T5 I might as well go with one of the best, if not the best, fixtures. My problem is I can not decide which is the best for me, so I am doing a poll.
The tank is going to be a mixed reef and include 1 clam and 1 anemone. It is a 40B (36"L x 18"D x 16"H). There will not be a canopy for the tank.

I know with the 24" 6 Bulb the edges wont have too much light but that would be good place for low light corals. I may add some Reef Brite LEDs at some point for extra lighting.

I do not know if the 36" 4 Bulb fixture would be enough light for everything I want.

I am not sure if the 36" 6 Bulb would be too much light, I know I could always hang it higher but I do not want to have it too high off the tank, plus I will NOT be upgrading anytime within the next 5yrs so I am not worried about having a light I can move up with.

oceanparadise1 · May 18, 2015

Always go bigger is my thing. Worst case, you take to bulbs out and run it as 4, move it up add a bulb, slowly get it to all six. I have always regretted not getting the most i can lol it doesnt hurt bc you dont have to run all six

just my 2 cents

UNCFAN · May 18, 2015

I have a 36" Bow Front tank and I use the 4 bulb fixture - seems to cover nicely. It is a 39 gallon bow front tank.

FMF0331 · May 18, 2015

I agree with oceanparadise, go big-I purchased a 4 bulb fixture for my cube, turns out it wasn't enough..now I have to get another fixture. anyone looking to buy a ati sunpower 4 bulbs fixture. 24 " 24 watts

Arron209 · May 19, 2015

I'd get the 36" 6 bulb fixture. That will definitely cover the entire tank and with 6 bulbs you'll have a lot of options as far as color and bulb combinations. I'm using the same fixture on my 57g with the same footprint and it's awesome.

booth2010 · May 19, 2015

Yea I think I am gonna go with the 36" 6 Bulb, just didnt want to spend that much

. At least BRS has a 10% off sale going on and the light should be back in stock by the end of the week. Hopefully by thursday which is that last day of the sale.

booth2010 · May 19, 2015

And maybe ill only use 4 lights for now to save 40$ haha

oceanparadise1 · May 19, 2015

Like I said, start with four bulbs. Having the option for six is huge. You can go purple and redish bulbs or do more blue. Gives you color options down the road to fine tune the look you want.

booth2010 · May 19, 2015

Now to convince my wife

d_adler · May 19, 2015

i currently have a 36x20x18 running a dimmable 36'' 4 bulb and it more then enough for my tank. so a 4 bulb on a slightly smaller tank like yours will have absolutely no issue with a 4 bulb. i grow sps, lps, and softies with ease. just my 2 cents.

booth2010 · May 21, 2015

So BRS still does not have the 36" 6 bulb in stock and their 10% off expires today. I may have to go with the 36" 4 Bulb so that I can use the coupon.

Any thoughts on buying the 4 bulb and then maybe buying replacement parts from ATI (or comparable parts) and adding 2 more bulbs, I would build a canopy to house the light and the 2 extras at that point.

Or I could buy the 4 bulb and at some point down the road add a Reef Brite strip or 2.

I am really hoping BRS gets the lights in today, or at least has another sale super soon.

LILBUDDHA · May 21, 2015

If u know u are going to get a bigger tank down the road go 3 -6 bulb . If u are absolutely sure u r not and you are not a SPS keeper who wants full tank coverage I would go 2- 6 bulb . The 3ft fixture is the worst of the lot as far as par performance out there . A 2 foot unit puts put out more light than u might guess . I voted 3-6 and now I have to explain myself . It is kinda sad that most of us can only do a 3 foot tank and we have to work with what's on the market .

booth2010 · May 21, 2015

Well BRS finally updated their site and I purchased a 36" 6 bulb wooo!! Just dont tell my wife!

LILBUDDHA · May 21, 2015

Well if you planned on not telling the wife you could have called Coralvue . U can purchase a Geisemann 3 ft 6 bulb matrix dimetec bluetooth unit. I say if you might get in deep kimchee ,u might as well go all out. JK congrats I am sure the 10% off helped unless it's a map product price .

booth2010 · May 21, 2015

Haha nah I'll be in it deep enough with this purchase. And the 10% off did apply so it took like 47$ off the fixture which was nice. Paid for 2 bulbs lol