Any performance difference between ATI Powermodule and Sunpower?

[ken6217]

I have read from ATI the differences between the Powermodule and the Sunpower, but is there any real performance differences between them in terms of PAR and how long the bulbs last? Is the cooling the same despite the difference in the number of fans between the two?

Thanks,
Ken

[rtparty]

Powrmodule puts out about 5% more light. Other than that, no difference.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

[James77]

Cooling might be a smidge less on the SP, but as rtparty posted, there is minimal difference in the performance. I've owned a PowerModule, and they are beautiful fixtures. Were I to go T5 again....unless money was no real object, I'g go with teh sunpower. Might be less "fancy"...but people look at the tank and not the light :)

[madean]

Thats going to be a tough question to answer. The differences are stated on the ati website. To get a good answer, someone would need to set up both lights on relatively the same setup and take par readings at exactly the same point on a relatively consistent basis for a long period of time. Probably over the course of years. And even then that would only be that one persons experience and really should be duplicated by several people to get a "real" answer. Your best bet would be to trust the manufactures reccomendations on this on. Plus ATI does not make the powermodule anymore like they used to. At some point they are coming out with a t5/led hybrid that has 75W led chips and either 4 or 8 bulb configurations. And you cant really compare the powermodule to the sunpower now because of the added leds. So unless you have the ability to get a hold of a used powermodule that is in great condition your question is kind of pointless. Please dont take that last opinion in the wrong way. Its just hard to get ahold of a good fixture that is no longer in production.

[Michigan Mike]

5% less but you are saving how much money buying a Sunpower.
Up to you but I am very satisfied with my 4x24 Sunpower.

Either way your getting 2x the fixture compared to a Current and about 20-25% better than a TEK or Aquaticlife. Based on PAR readings I have seen.

[kc350twin]

I have owned both and can tell you there is tons of difference in the two. The PM is the best of the best. The housing is made of extruded aluminum. One fan for every two bulbs and different reflectors. The reflectors slide in and stainless end caps. The other thing not many people speak of is that it weighs a whole lot more.
Is it worth he extra money for the 5% more PAR? That's up to you. Having owned both I wouldn't spend that extra cash on the PM again.




Kc3

[ken6217]

I know the question was really moot since the PM is no longer available. I was just curious.

I did order the 8x24 Sunpower this morning.

Thanks for the replies.
Ken

[James77]

Are you sure the power modules are no longer available?


http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/t5-fluorescent/ati/powermodules-fixtures.html

[ken6217]

Definitely not for what I'm looking for: 8x24. Spoke to Champion Lighting, Reef Geek, Aquarium Specialty.
Ken

[Skipponator]

I wish I could find a 6-8 bulb 48" PM.

[kc350twin]

Are you sure the power modules are no longer available?


http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/t5-fluorescent/ati/powermodules-fixtures.html

Yup those are all that is left and the stock is dwindling. The only PM that they are building is the LED/T5 hybrids. Reefgeek told me that the performance difference was not enough between the two to support PM sales.




Kc3

[madean]

Ken, what size tank are you putting this 8 x 24w fixture on? Just curious because I might be going that same route. I wish I could get my hands on a dimmable 8 or 10 bulb 24w pm. I keep going back and forth with idea of leds. The only time I saw AI and radion fixtures in person the disco ball effect was so bad that it left a bad taste in my mouth. I don't think that I will ever see a ghl mitras fixture in person so I am a little Leary on that big of a purchase. The kessils have crazy shimmer, maybe too much for my taste.
so just curious as to what size tank your talking about.

[Allmost]

dont waste money with PM like I did .... get SP, and add a couple strips of royal blue LED.

[TheReefKeeper]

dont waste money with PM like I did .... get SP, and add a couple strips of royal blue LED.

Got a Pic of your fixture with the LED? Curious to see where you placed them I just got a 24" 6 Bulb for a 50Cube and thinking about adding some LED's for a bit of shimmer. That makes me think of something are you seeing any shimmer effect off the LED's?

[Allmost]

I have an old PM 10x80 W. no LEDs.

what I was saying, was if I could go back in time, i would get a 8 bulb SP, and with the money saved, buy 2 strips of LED for front and back.

Sahin has done it though :
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2027486

[madean]

I have seen a few pictures of other people modifying their sp or pm with reef brights. It looks like they basically added one on the front and back of the fixture. A little iron attachment to mount them at a little bit of an angle so the leds shine towards the middle. Do a search here and a few should pop up. I remember seeing a thread on them probably within the last few weeks, but I can't remember if it was in this forum or the DIY forum.

[Allmost]

^^
here u go
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1760115&page=16
Reefbrites have special mounting kits to mount to T5 fixtures.

[TheReefKeeper]

I have an old PM 10x80 W. no LEDs.

what I was saying, was if I could go back in time, i would get a 8 bulb SP, and with the money saved, buy 2 strips of LED for front and back.

Sahin has done it though :
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2027486


Oh LOL I thought you had some too LOL!!
I have seen Sahin's light I love it I want a more finished look I'm actually thinking of having a led unit MFG over in China in the length I need so I can slip out a bulb and reflector and pop the unit of LED's in. I'm just so busy with work I dont have the time to have something MFG I don't really need LOL. I wish ATI would hurry up with their unit!!

I have seen a few pictures of other people modifying their sp or pm with reef brights. It looks like they basically added one on the front and back of the fixture. A little iron attachment to mount them at a little bit of an angle so the leds shine towards the middle. Do a search here and a few should pop up. I remember seeing a thread on them probably within the last few weeks, but I can't remember if it was in this forum or the DIY forum.


Yes I saw it too I hear T% are so bright they don't shimmer tho wonder if that is true?

[ken6217]

Ken, what size tank are you putting this 8 x 24w fixture on? Just curious because I might be going that same route. I wish I could get my hands on a dimmable 8 or 10 bulb 24w pm. I keep going back and forth with idea of leds. The only time I saw AI and radion fixtures in person the disco ball effect was so bad that it left a bad taste in my mouth. I don't think that I will ever see a ghl mitras fixture in person so I am a little Leary on that big of a purchase. The kessils have crazy shimmer, maybe too much for my taste.
so just curious as to what size tank your talking about.

The tank is 93g---30x30x24 high.

ATI didn't make a dimmable PM fixture. Only in the Sunpower line.

I did order the 8x24 Sunpower and will have it in a few days.

There is no need to add LED's to you your T5 fixture unless you are just looking to add some shimmer.
Ken

[ken6217]

Yup those are all that is left and the stock is dwindling. The only PM that they are building is the LED/T5 hybrids. Reefgeek told me that the performance difference was not enough between the two to support PM sales.

Kc3

Only certain models are left in stock. No more being made.
Ken

[madean]

ken, ati did make a dimmable t5 pm. It needed to be controlled by 0-10v dimming controller like apex, ghl profilux and a few others. There was 0-100% dimming control over 2 channels. The sunpower has a built in controller that is not as user friendly. there are 10 set points or light intensity levels so to speak. These numbers are just to explain and not in any way accurate but just to prove a point. Lets say the set points are in increments of 10%. Your options are 10%, 20%, 30% and so on. Or maybe the set points are in increments of 5% and maybe start at 55% then 60%, 65%, 70% and so on until you reach 100%. You have to operate your light with in those guidelines and maybe you wanted to have a more gradual ramping up and down of intensity. Or maybe you like the style of the PM more than the SP.
I personely like the pm better and would like to utilize my apex more and have more control with the t5 light like an led.

[solitude127]

Here's another Reefbrite option for the PM

I added a ReefBrite strip to my frag tank for some extra pop, found out that it can be a little shockingly bright to some corals and hope ReefBrite has there dimmable power supplies done soon. Note the light has to be ordered a special length to mount the way I did as Powermodules are less than there designated bulb size. The pieces are just cut from aluminum and bead blasted to match.

http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad280/pciscott/DSC_0775.jpg

http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad280/pciscott/DSC_0778.jpg

The light spread from the LED does a very good job and I will be adding them on both sides of my peninsula build.

[lynchard]

That's good if you like it.
http://www.libj.info/liuhan1.jpghttp://www.libj.info/liuhan16.jpghttp://www.libj.info/liuhan19.jpghttp://www.libj.info/liuhan17.jpg

[lynchard]

That's good if you like it.
http://www.libj.info/liuhan1.jpghttp://www.libj.info/liuhan16.jpghttp://www.libj.info/liuhan19.jpghttp://www.libj.info/liuhan17.jpg

[Michigan Mike]

Looks like pciscott had the bulbs in the wrong way in the PM. Bulbs' label ends are on the wrong side.
If you have a ATI fixture put your bulbs in correctly.

[kc350twin]

The tank is 93g---30x30x24 high.

ATI didn't make a dimmable PM fixture. Only in the Sunpower line.

I did order the 8x24 Sunpower and will have it in a few days.

There is no need to add LED's to you your T5 fixture unless you are just looking to add some shimmer.
Ken


That light should be fine. What do you plan on keeping? My friend DH350twin had the same fixture over the same dimensions but he had Reefbrites on either side. Here is the thread. I can't remember if we had PAR numbers in there or not.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2089863


Kc3