View Full Version : Need your opinions! Can't decide on lighting!!
tallreefguy
06/23/2010, 09:33 PM
Alright so I was going to get the new ATI Powermodule 48" 8x54 watt T5's.
But after putting my wavepoint 48" 4x54w t5's on my 90 gallon, I was very unimpressed at how lit up the tank was! I even took my 4x24w t5 wavepoint and put it next to it.
I am running 2x250watt 14k phoenix bulbs right now.
Do better fixtures run brighter, more intense? Does ATI look a lot brighter, like a halide?
Also, if I stick with 250's, I debating between either a 13k Megachrome, or a 20k Ushio/XM type bulb.
What're your thoughts??
tozzi
06/23/2010, 09:38 PM
Alright so I was going to get the new ATI Powermodule 48" 8x54 watt T5's.
But after putting my wavepoint 48" 4x54w t5's on my 90 gallon, I was very unimpressed at how lit up the tank was! I even took my 4x24w t5 wavepoint and put it next to it.
I am running 2x250watt 14k phoenix bulbs right now.
Do better fixtures run brighter, more intense? Does ATI look a lot brighter, like a halide?
Also, if I stick with 250's, I debating between either a 13k Megachrome, or a 20k Ushio/XM type bulb.
What're your thoughts??
Never seen the megachrome. Any 20k will look dim. Id try 10k reeflux for the brightness and add some actinic for blue. If you have a mag ballast like an m-80 you can run radiums, on a mag ballast they're more bright.
tallreefguy
06/23/2010, 09:59 PM
Never seen the megachrome. Any 20k will look dim. Id try 10k reeflux for the brightness and add some actinic for blue. If you have a mag ballast like an m-80 you can run radiums, on a mag ballast they're more bright.
Actinic would be hard - Lumen Max Elite reflectors take up a TON of room. I run 1 lumatek elec. ballast and 1 icecap ballast. I wish Radiums came in a 250 DE.
m-rass
06/23/2010, 10:08 PM
My understanding is it is all about the ballast/bulb mixture, along with the reflector. Check out Sanjay Joshi's Lighting guide, http://www.manhattanreefs.com/lighting it has a lot of good info. Now you have to decide what you like, as far as a more bright (yellowish), go w/ 10K, if you like the more blue (my personal fav) go w/ 20K, the phoenix 14k are a good middle ground. Check out that link, it may help some.
corbett_n
06/24/2010, 07:51 AM
an 8 bulb ATI module will be more than light than you can handle
tallreefguy
06/24/2010, 07:56 AM
So what I'm hearing is that an 8 bulb ati module looks as intense as my halides? I'm not talking PAR or color or whatnot. Just the intensity of the light compared to halides.
That's the only thing I'm not sold on for T5's
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