Anyone running a an ATI Powermodule?
- Thread starter Jacwil
- Start date
boosted chemist
New member
Im in the same boat, ecotech or a ATI fixture...
Capt_Cully
Active member
Pull the trigger on something and move on with th build. You can add reefbrite xhos to a T5 rig that'll give you crazy pop with low energy consumption. I get nuts when looking for big ticket items too, but once I make up my mind and buy, I usually don't give it a second thought because it allows the project to move forward. You can swap stuff around later if you're not 100% happy with it.
Johnny C
New member
Obviously I'm biased, but I can tell you that I have owned several ATI fixtures and they really are the Ferrari of T5 fixtures. The Powermodule and Sunpower (which, the jury is still out on how well the dimmable modules perform) are nearly identical and unless your going for aesthetics the SP is more economical without sacrificing function. If you decide to go the ATI route, be very cautious with acclimation; these fixtures are PAR monsters (from my testing about 40% brighter than a comparable Tek fixture) and can very easily bleach your coral.
One thing to consider when considering the T5 vs. LED route is long term costs (i.e. electricity usage, bulb replacements). Also, as much as I love ReefBrites they don't come cheap so if you consider the cost of (for example) a 6x54w Powermodule ($769), German Bulbs ($180) and a 48" XHO ($319) you are easily in LED $ territory with about twice the energy consumption. If you go the ATI route, Greg and George @ ReefGeek are the US distributors of ATI and offer top-notch customer service. Then again, I heard that guy from EcoTech ain't to shabby either.
One thing to consider when considering the T5 vs. LED route is long term costs (i.e. electricity usage, bulb replacements). Also, as much as I love ReefBrites they don't come cheap so if you consider the cost of (for example) a 6x54w Powermodule ($769), German Bulbs ($180) and a 48" XHO ($319) you are easily in LED $ territory with about twice the energy consumption. If you go the ATI route, Greg and George @ ReefGeek are the US distributors of ATI and offer top-notch customer service. Then again, I heard that guy from EcoTech ain't to shabby either.
Then again, I heard that guy from EcoTech ain't to shabby either.
must be the pretty hair :bounce3:
I've been running a pm for a few years now.Its works well for me and I have no regrets on its purchase.
I dont have a par meter but I did/do try to learn as much as I can prior to any purchases.From the t-5 lighting thread there was some par measures posted by grim and others.I believe par was not insanely high at the surface,I want to say between 400-45o's,but in the center,24" depth par was still hitting close to 300 ,and to the far sides 100-150.
Theres also an online publication whitch argues many if not most sps corals are nearing saturation for usable light at around 400 par.There were a few other persuavsive points that tipped the scale for me anyway.
I talked to pascal sometime back when he was switching his tank over from t-5 to halides and I maybe be entirely mistaken but I believe he said ,using a par meter the halides had way higher par from the surface down to below mid level.The t-5's seemed to have higher par on the sandbed. (I think)
If your considering a used fixture, the bulbs and reflectors both, depnding on age. reflectors if worn ,( mine have lost most of the silver coating) whitch is one key ingredient in reflecting light so well.
Reflectors are around 20$ a peice
bulbs around 20$ a peice ,just pointing out you maybe into it for 240$.
I dont have a par meter but I did/do try to learn as much as I can prior to any purchases.From the t-5 lighting thread there was some par measures posted by grim and others.I believe par was not insanely high at the surface,I want to say between 400-45o's,but in the center,24" depth par was still hitting close to 300 ,and to the far sides 100-150.
Theres also an online publication whitch argues many if not most sps corals are nearing saturation for usable light at around 400 par.There were a few other persuavsive points that tipped the scale for me anyway.
I talked to pascal sometime back when he was switching his tank over from t-5 to halides and I maybe be entirely mistaken but I believe he said ,using a par meter the halides had way higher par from the surface down to below mid level.The t-5's seemed to have higher par on the sandbed. (I think)
If your considering a used fixture, the bulbs and reflectors both, depnding on age. reflectors if worn ,( mine have lost most of the silver coating) whitch is one key ingredient in reflecting light so well.
Reflectors are around 20$ a peice
bulbs around 20$ a peice ,just pointing out you maybe into it for 240$.
Similar threads
