ATI Powermodule 6x54watt VS Coralife PowerCompacts 5x65watt

[FutureBoyGenius]

I have a 90Gallon display tank with mostly LPS, but I would like to be able to do some SPS and clams.

I am currently running a coralife four-bulb(two actinic, two 10000k) fixture (260watts) and a single bulb(actinic) fixture (65watts) on my tank. I have been considering upgrading to the ATI 48" 6X54watts Powermodule T5 fixture.

Now if you didn't notice these lighting setups have almost exactly the same wattage (325watts). Would the $850 upgrade to ATI be worth the money?

What kind of improvements would I see in coral growth? What is the difference in the heat output from the PCS to the T5s?

It seems to me that with this ATI fixture I could keep pretty much whatever I want, would you all agree?

[saline solution]

319 posts, college educated, I will put this in your languadddge.
Your light=fat chick, drunk, half passed out, may have been cute 50 lbs ago

Powermodule= best looking Las Vegas escort with a german accent and a pitcher of beer in each hand...and a twin standing next to her who thinks you are hot stuff.

I would drop $850 on that senario any day of the week.




Honestly on a 90 I would go a 6x54 sunpower with bulbs for $619. Will grow anything in a 90 well.

[James77]

The ATI will blow away any compact flourescent fixture due to the active cooling and indicidual reflectors. You would be able to keep anything with the ATI, although you'd prob have trouble with lower light coral if they were not shaded.

Heat output watt for watt is the same. The ATI will use a few more watts and give off a tad more heat, but little of its heat will be tranferred to the tank.

I agree with saline, the Sunpower gives the same performance, just not as fancy as the PM. Could save you hundreds while still getting an excellent fixture.

[FutureBoyGenius]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15160547#post15160547 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by saline solution
319 posts, college educated, I will put this in your languadddge.
Your light=fat chick, drunk, half passed out, may have been cute 50 lbs ago

Powermodule= best looking Las Vegas escort with a german accent and a pitcher of beer in each hand...and a twin standing next to her who thinks you are hot stuff.

I would drop $850 on that senario any day of the week.




Honestly on a 90 I would go a 6x54 sunpower with bulbs for $619. Will grow anything in a 90 well.



Hahahahaha. Thanks for the translation. Will the light output actually appeal more to the eye than what I have now or just the fixture itself? Would you agree then that a 6x54 fixture is more than adequate for a 90gal mixed reef?

What is the difference between the powermodule and the sunpower? Is it just less cooling power?

[Henry Bowman]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15160597#post15160597 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by James77
The ATI will blow away any compact flourescent fixture due to the active cooling and indicidual reflectors. You would be able to keep anything with the ATI, although you'd prob have trouble with lower light coral if they were not shaded.

Heat output watt for watt is the same. The ATI will use a few more watts and give off a tad more heat, but little of its heat will be tranferred to the tank.



I completely agree...

The reflectors and active cooling are what really makes the difference in T5 lights.

Purchase the BEST you can afford and cry once. Purchase a wannabe and cry when you decide to purchase the "best" after having droped the cash on a 2nd rate fixture.

Lights, Flow and Protien Skimming. Other than basic water chemistry and stability. These three items are the most critical to a wonderful tank.

[James77]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15160618#post15160618 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by FutureBoyGenius
Will the light output actually appeal more to the eye than what I have now or just the fixture itself? Would you agree then that a 6x54 fixture is more than adequate for a 90gal mixed reef?

What is the difference between the powermodule and the sunpower? Is it just less cooling power?


Light appearance will be similar, as it is flourescent, but will be alot brighter. 6x54 is the right amount of light for a 90. The PM is a showroom fixture, it is frosted aluminum and looks great. The Sunpower is a very good looking fixture, same cooling, reflectors and output as the PM. It is like an economy model of the PM- still an excellent fixture though.

[FutureBoyGenius]

Would you expect a noticeable difference in coral growth?

[FutureBoyGenius]

Are the sunpower fixtures distributed in the US? Any advice on finding a good buying source?

[James77]

I used to own a Powermodule, and I have owned a few other T5 fixtures(Tek, SolarFlare) as well as retrofits. I switched back to halides because I prefer the appearance. If I were to do T5s agian or on a different tank, it would be either the Sunpower or Powermodule without even thinking about it.

[James77]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15160693#post15160693 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by FutureBoyGenius
Would you expect a noticeable difference in coral growth?

From compact flourescents?? :lol: A very big difference.

[James77]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15160706#post15160706 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by FutureBoyGenius
Are the sunpower fixtures distributed in the US? Any advice on finding a good buying source?

Greg at Reefgeek.com sells them, though they are not listed on his site. His pricelist is towards the end of the ATI thread in his sponsor forum. A couple other US distributors exist, don't know if they have the sunpower though.

[James77]

Posted in January by Greg.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14100114#post14100114 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ReefGeek-Greg
Hi All,

First shipment is in production and should be arriving later this month. If you'd like to pre-order one, please email me at sales@ reefgeek.com with the model you are interested in along with your full name, address and contact phone number and we'll contact you when they arrive. No deposit is required.

ATI 24" 4x24W SunPower T5 High-Output Fixture -- $349.00 w/ Bulbs -- $409.00
ATI 24" 6x24W SunPower T5 High-Output Fixture -- $419.00 w/ Bulbs -- $519.00
ATI 36" 4x39W SunPower T5 High-Output Fixture -- $389.00 w/ Bulbs -- $449.00
ATI 36" 6x39W SunPower T5 High-Output Fixture -- $479.00 w/ Bulbs -- $579.00
ATI 48" 4x54W SunPower T5 High-Output Fixture -- $419.00 w/ Bulbs -- $479.00
ATI 48" 6x54W SunPower T5 High-Output Fixture -- $519.00 w/ Bulbs -- $619.00
ATI 60" 4x80W SunPower T5 High-Output Fixture -- $469.00 w/ Bulbs -- $539.00
ATI 60" 6x80W SunPower T5 High-Output Fixture -- $619.00 w/ Bulbs -- $729.00


Warmest Regards,
Greg @ ReefGeek

[FutureBoyGenius]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15160718#post15160718 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by James77
From compact flourescents?? :lol: A very big difference.

Thats what I wanted to hear :D

[FutureBoyGenius]

For optimal performance ATI fixtures should be hung over a lidless tank, correct?

How far off the water surface should that fixture be hung?

I guess reefgeek could hook me up with the hanging hardware as well?

Does the sunpower have a splash guard built in?

[James77]

Yes, if you mean glass covers- you want open water. Height over water would depend on the coral. At first, I would raise it pretty high for acclimation. I had mine hung about 5" off the water with SPS. Hanging hardware is included with them, and they come with acrylic shields- it is part of the active cooling. The fans are extremely quiet on the PM- and I think the SP has the same fans.

[SuperR*]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15160547#post15160547 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by saline solution
319 posts, college educated, I will put this in your languadddge.
Your light=fat chick, drunk, half passed out, may have been cute 50 lbs ago

Powermodule= best looking Las Vegas escort with a german accent and a pitcher of beer in each hand...and a twin standing next to her who thinks you are hot stuff.

I would drop $850 on that senario any day of the week.




Honestly on a 90 I would go a 6x54 sunpower with bulbs for $619. Will grow anything in a 90 well.
LOL! :rollface:

[SuperR*]

I like the ATI personally. High quality light

[tatoofr]

Hi,
ATI PM all the way, you wont be sorry:)http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll49/tatoofr/100_3392.jpg

[GSMguy]

the sunpower is almost as good and a good deal cheaper, if you dont need 8 bulbs the sunpower is the way to go.

Tatoo that is SICK, looks perfect, what light did you have on there before?

[tatoofr]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15161939#post15161939 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GSMguy
the sunpower is almost as good and a good deal cheaper, if you dont need 8 bulbs the sunpower is the way to go.

Tatoo that is SICK, looks perfect, what light did you have on there before?
Thank you,
My ATI is only on since Saturday.
I had 2 175 mh and 1 250watt MH,
The tank is so much brighter now.
Frank

[GSMguy]

watch out you dont burn those corals, I really want one. With the 6 bulb sunpower being under 700 bucks I think I can sell my lights I have now and get one for only a couple hundred bucks. need to see if i can sell my lights...:eek2:

[tatoofr]

Thats what I did, I sold everything I collected over the years and wasnt using.

[DaveG99]

I love the sunpower fixture. I am getting a new 24" fixture soon but I'm havign trouble ditching the Metal Halides and going straight T5's. I might get a MH/T5 combo fixture like the hamilton Belize. But if I do get a T5 fixture Im going with the Sunpower 6x24watt.

[GSMguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15162066#post15162066 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tatoofr
Thats what I did, I sold everything I collected over the years and wasnt using.

thats brilliant, i have a whole closet full of that!:eek1:

I showed my Girlfriend your tank shot and she said, "Do it, you need to start caring about the tank, make it look nice"

Ummm thanks hun, i guess the 2 hours a day i spend with it now is not enough...hahaha:lol: :lol:

[tatoofr]

What a keeper:)

[FutureBoyGenius]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15161709#post15161709 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tatoofr
Hi,
ATI PM all the way, you wont be sorry:)http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll49/tatoofr/100_3392.jpg


:eek:.........speechless..........That alone, sold me. I guess my only worry is, I have zoanthids and some vibrant mushrooms about midlevel in my tank and then a torch, frogspawn, bubble, and moon brain all pretty high in my tank. Will all of my current corals be bleached unless I move them lower? Or is it not that big of power difference if I adjust them slowly?

[tatoofr]

Hi,
Thank you,
I would think you would have to move them lower and then there is a real good chance of still bleaching the lower light lovers.
The ATI PM is even pretty strong right down to the bottom of my reef. Maybe if you raised it up pretty high you would be ok.
I think this fixture is really geared to the sps lovers Alot of people think t5 arent strong, but they are especially with the ati. I'll go against any 400 watt MH anytime.
Frank

[Henry Bowman]

If you raised the light a bit and shortened the photoperiod when firing it up. You should be OK. Then lower the light and or increase the time SLOWLY, you should be able to find the sweet spot.

I have an aquactinics solar flare and moved some blue mushrooms into the tank down low. They do fine. Now I see there are some growing up near the top of the tank under the light. They are flourescent blue !

[FutureBoyGenius]

I wonder if I should go for a lesser quality fixture then, or maybe an ATI four bulb?

I am proud of my tank the way it is, I would hate to bleach all of my current corals trying to fix something that isn't broken.

I would like to have SPS and clams but not at the expense of my LPS, zoanthids, and flourescent green and purple shrooms.

I was really looking for a fixture that would give me better growth with me current corals while allowing me to keep SPS and clams. This could be a dream world at this point, without completely changing the tank's configurations.

[Henry Bowman]

I wouldn't shy away from it yet. Bulb combinations have alot to do with PAR. This is what makes T5's so attractive for many of us that use them

You could use, in this order.

Back
True Actinic
Blue Plus
Blue Special
Figi Purple
Blue Plus
True Actinic
Front

This combo would be "close" to a 20K lamp, obviously giving your tank a blue look. The figi purple being in the center would let you place the SPS toward the top center of the tank and probably not overpowering the lps lower inthe tank near the front.

[hansmatt]

I have a 90g, and would recommend the 6 bulb...the width is perfect, and you can keep anything. the extra 2 bulbs give you a nice range of colors/bulbs to mix.

[FutureBoyGenius]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15169866#post15169866 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Henry Bowman
I wouldn't shy away from it yet. Bulb combinations have alot to do with PAR. This is what makes T5's so attractive for many of us that use them

You could use, in this order.

Back
True Actinic
Blue Plus
Blue Special
Figi Purple
Blue Plus
True Actinic
Front

This combo would be "close" to a 20K lamp, obviously giving your tank a blue look. The figi purple being in the center would let you place the SPS toward the top center of the tank and probably not overpowering the lps lower inthe tank near the front.


This suggestion is attractive to me because I really like the flourescense that the blue pulls from the corals. Will this still be an effective configuration because of the low par from the blues? Will it be enough par to sustain the corals? I assume it is probably more than I currently have and will be much more blue :p

[saline solution]

Do it!!!! I would if I could. C'mon you know you wanna... everyone else is doing it.

I would ditch one of the true actinics for a yellow bulb, like a GE 6.5k, just to fill out the spectrum.