ATI 8 Bulb SunPower vs Radion Pro

[FlyPenFly]

I've recently setup a tank that's been doing pretty well. It's a 24x24x24 Deep Blue Edge Tank with a Series 4 stand.

It's SPS and Clam heavy. Coloration and growth has been great. Currently I'm running a Radion Pro and a Taotronic 120w unit that I'm adding lenses to. The Radion Pro is the primary light and the Taotronics light is 50/50 white/blue. I added the second light to provide fill light to prevent shadows. The lights are hung and setup / \ like that. Except much less of a slope. I run it about 8 hours on the Radion Pro on the 18k setting at 80% max. I run the taotronics for about 6 hours at the same on times.

I recently purchased an ATI SunPower 24" in 8 bulb configuration because it was a crazy good deal. It has upgraded fans from the PowerModule. Only worry is that I have 3 big clams on the sand bed and I'm not sure if I'll get the 250 or so PAR that the Radion Pro has been measured to provide 24" deep.

I've been debating changing the LEDs to the ATI for better shadow filling. I really have no problems or complaints about the LED setup but I've been considering changing it out for better coloration and shade elimination on the SPS...

THoughts?

[YoungREEFA]

That sunpower will give you anything, i mean anything you want besides shimmer

[Michigan Mike]

Maybe you try the ATI, see how you like it. I'm surprised you are using a Tao tronics and radion together.

[FlyPenFly]

Here are some photos.

http://i.imgur.com/pOlGcQN.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/uXYDYAB.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/b9wjTYG.jpg

[kc350twin]

It is a tough decision for sure. I have had both recently and like them both for different reasons. I can totally relate to the shadows of the Radion or any led or halide. T5's fill in the shadows like no other. They provide more places to put more corals. On the down side I think that the lack of shadows can be a burden at times as well. I've had to hide LPS in the complete shade with my Sunpowers. I think you tank looks great and I also think that the 8 bulb at the correct height will give you plenty of par on the sand. You can easily add some ReefBrites to it if need more par. My bud DH350TWIN had that set up on a 93gal cube and he could keep anything.

[E.intheC]

Your tank looks good. Maybe switch to the sunpower but hold on to your LEDs.. Try it out for a few weeks.

[Michigan Mike]

I think the ATI will look better, having just the one fixture. It should be plenty of light too.

Let us know what you think if you try it.

[A. Grandis]

I don't want even think about it.
Just do it!
You will love the ATI fixture!
I would sell the LEDs while you can still get some money out of it.

Grandis.

[ReefCowboy]

I would agree the sunpower would def give you enough par at the bottom, actually i would place it a bit high in the beginning. It will light the tank better and will give it a sleeker look. Good luck

[bid2ask]

ati, your corals will thank you!!

[FlyPenFly]

One option I've been considering is putting a 2 bulb or 4 bulb T5HO unit in place of the Taotronic...

This way I get the penetrating power, customizability, and easy color control of the Radion Pro while I Also get the shading control and spectrum power of T5HO...

[asid61]

I would do that. Dual T5 + Radion is a good combo. That Taotronics looks really fishy.

[hossa81]

Im no expert, but if your tank is doing well now, why risk the coral by changing the lights?

[A. Grandis]

There is no risk to change to T5s if you acclimate well.
Actually, no risk to any lights, when doing it right.

I particularly like T5 all the way, no LEDs at all.
It would work that way too, but the all T5 fixture is much better for the corals though because of the coverage/combination of spectrum with the supplementary bulbs.

The more space you loose for the LEDs, the less chances of winning with the diversity of T5 bulbs available. You just can't have the best out of the T5s with the LEDs taking space.
That part with the LEDs will not cover the shade elimination problem you've got either.

Some people change the tank size just o have one or 2 more bulbs and play with the spectrum, so important.

Grandis.

[FlyPenFly]

I think I'm switching my tank out to a 32x24 at 20 deep. 24 is too deep for no reason and the overflow is excessively large on deep blue.

In that case I think I would have to switch to t5ho or get another radion with rails...

[FlyPenFly]

Just as an update, I just put the ATI 8 bulb up...

Looks better IMO. I'm definitely seeing some parts of the tank for the first time because of the tank filling light.

It kind of feels like I've been using a flash light in a dark room as opposed to turn just turning the room lights on. Will post a tank picture once I get my Flipper scrubber fixed...

I'm using:

ATI Blue Plus
ATI Coral Plus
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Coral Plus
ATI Actinic
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Coral Plus
ATI Blue Plus

So far I really like the color temperature of the tank. I ordered a moonlight kit from Rapid LED and will be sticking that on later.

I have 2 Blue Plus coming on at 8AM then turning off at 8PM.
I have 6 other bulbs coming on at 9AM then turning off at 3PM.

So just a 6 hour main photo period. I will be increasing that an hour every week until I'm at about 9 or 10 hours.

One concern I have is that I just ordered a new tank. A SCA Aquarium 65 gallon which is 32x24x20. I'm a bit worried I'll have some dark sides since the fixture is only 24".

[xrayjeeper83]

I recently put an AI Sol and tow par38s over my 75 and a T5 over my 20 and like the look of the 20 more then the 75. Much crisper color to me

[FlyPenFly]

One part that is pretty crappy is that it's $160 + shipping in bulbs every 8 months...

[kmu]

I would remove the middle 4 T5 bulbs on that ATI fixture and mount the Radion there!!!

Front to back

ATI Blue Plus
ATI Purple Plus
RADION
ATI Purple Plus
ATI Blue Plus

The light would be amazing!!!

[FlyPenFly]

I have been debating removing the middle 2 bulbs and installing a DIY heatsink plus 100 watt multi chip LED Lumia 5.1... but I just don't have the time to do that project right now and hook it up to my Apex. Maybe next month.

[Michigan Mike]

The 24" ATI will cover 32". For years I used a 24" t5/Sunpower on a 30" tank. I like some space around the glass for cleaning but I had corals up to the glass all around the tank. You should be fine.

Corals are going to love the new light too, now its up to you if you are willing to invest the bulbs long term.

Set the fan speed to 9v on the Sunpower for higher PAR and better longevity.

[asid61]

If you want shade elimination, what's to stop you from simply adding a couple of T5 bulbs along the sides? Is there a space constraint?
You could hang the fixtures lower to reduce shading if you add the two extra tubes.

[FlyPenFly]

Thinking about switching out one or two of the bulbs for a Aquablue Special for more peaks in greens. Thoughts?

[flamron]

One part that is pretty crappy is that it's $160 + shipping in bulbs every 8 months...


Why so often? When I ran T5s, I changed them out every year.

I recently bought an ATI LED Powermodule - it arrives tomorrow. Changing from a Radion G2. I got plenty of growth, but the color was never there for me.

[Michigan Mike]

Ge6500 or ABS

I think a GE and coral plus is enough "day" bulbs

8 bulb fixtures are great because you can use the ge6500 or ABS without dramatically altering the color temp too white.

[Michigan Mike]

Only the strictest SPS gurus change bulbs at 10-12 months if the bulbs are cooled like the ATI fixtures. Cooled bulbs only lose about 10% in 7 months. So if you are wanting to keep the light at its best a year is about right.
Most people use them longer than a year. 15 months or more! If corals are happy still, why not. Lower the fixture a couple inches as the bulbs get older to compensate intensity.

Uncooled t5 should be changed sooner. Much sooner.

[Michigan Mike]

I still want to see some pics! Lol

I think the ATI is gonna look great over your rimless tank, way better than before!

[xXch0dyXx]

Problem solved ; - )

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p184/xxch0dyxx/Aquariums/LED%20projects/image8.jpeg (http://s128.photobucket.com/user/xxch0dyxx/media/Aquariums/LED%20projects/image8.jpeg.html)

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p184/xxch0dyxx/Aquariums/LED%20projects/image7.jpeg (http://s128.photobucket.com/user/xxch0dyxx/media/Aquariums/LED%20projects/image7.jpeg.html)

[FlyPenFly]

8 month Par Test

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1641235&page=25

You're right, I can probably go for 10-12 months assuming degradation is linear.

[SKAREEF]

Another option,

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2289403
http://s1298.photobucket.com/user/Jcrandell1/media/Reef%20Tank/Reefpics28_zps8093cf5a.jpg.html

[FlyPenFly]

Another option,

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2289403
http://s1298.photobucket.com/user/Jcrandell1/media/Reef%20Tank/Reefpics28_zps8093cf5a.jpg.html

Very interesting and affordable. I wonder what their LED mix is and lens angles.

[Michigan Mike]

Never heard anyone have coral die or anything really dire because they didnt change bulbs at 1 yr. Growth will slow a bit and some colors may fade/change a bit - but far from unhealthy IMO. That said I'm at a year on my T5 bulbs, running 8 hours a day. Uh oh!

I like that thread you linked about changing bulbs, I link to it often.lol See how switching the fans to 9v helped boost PAR? Good thread.

[FlyPenFly]

Hmm tank looks a bit too purplish to me right now. Should I swap out one of the Coral+ or Blue+ for an ABS or GE6500?

Currently:

ATI Blue Plus
ATI Coral Plus
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Coral Plus
ATI Actinic
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Coral Plus
ATI Blue Plus

[FlyPenFly]

Current shot

[D-Nak]

I would remove the middle 4 T5 bulbs on that ATI fixture and mount the Radion there!!!

Front to back

ATI Blue Plus
ATI Purple Plus
RADION
ATI Purple Plus
ATI Blue Plus

The light would be amazing!!!

I have a friend who did this exact thing (gutting the center of an ATI fixture and installing a Radion) and he loves it. I like my Radion + T5 combo as well. You really do get the best of both: bright light and color control/dimming with the Radion, and linear, even light from the T5 that removes the shadows (and only 2 bulbs to replace each year).

Problem solved ; - )

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p184/xxch0dyxx/Aquariums/LED%20projects/image8.jpeg (http://s128.photobucket.com/user/xxch0dyxx/media/Aquariums/LED%20projects/image8.jpeg.html)

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p184/xxch0dyxx/Aquariums/LED%20projects/image7.jpeg (http://s128.photobucket.com/user/xxch0dyxx/media/Aquariums/LED%20projects/image7.jpeg.html)

Exactly. :-)

[FlyPenFly]

I would worry that the Radion is getting very hot if you keep the acrylic shield on.

I found a Zoo Medic 6500K "Ultra Sun" bulb I had from Petco a few months ago and installed that in place of a back Coral Plus. I actually think I'm pretty happy right now with the spectrum shift to warmer.

Still a bit windex-y but not bad. I might replace one of the front Blue+ for a Coral Plus still.

[D-Nak]

I would worry that the Radion is getting very hot if you keep the acrylic shield on.

I found a Zoo Medic 6500K "Ultra Sun" bulb I had from Petco a few months ago and installed that in place of a back Coral Plus. I actually think I'm pretty happy right now with the spectrum shift to warmer.

Still a bit windex-y but not bad. I might replace one of the front Blue+ for a Coral Plus still.

I would not keep the shield on. The Radion definitely needs to breathe. You'd have to come up with a creative way to keep the T5s cool.

[tommyng79]

ATI all the waaaaaaaaayyyyy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! just sayin. best coloration hands down.

[HurricaneSystem]

I have that exact tank and I can't imagine needing more that the Radion Pro. Do you have any idea what kind of PAR that fixture puts out?

I am shocked your corals aren't bleached if you have it turned up a lot. What intensity are you at and why would you want to go to T5?

T5 are fantastic and I have only had great results with T5, but I just wonder why you are wanting to change the Radion Pro?

[FlyPenFly]

Clustered LEDs are flashlights, poor if you use only one straight down. You need to use multiple units at angles to get good all around polyp growth without die off in shaded areas.

T5 is much better in this respect because it's light is enveloping.

I've sold this tank and moved to another one and sticking with the ATI, I'm also putting on some DIY LEDs on it as well.

https://scontent-b-mia.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1185697_10104063949484471_1008540133_n.jpg