Ati dimmable or non dimmable
- Thread starter btb72
- Start date
rtparty
Raise The Reef!
A 6x39 over a 40B is a TON of light. Don't plan any low light critters without serious shading. The dimmable may be the better choice here if you can't go with a 6x24w fixture.
Also, the temp controlled fans don't always work properly. This is usually an issue for the ballasts and why they fail more often. The ballasts overheat and fail prematurely.
Dimmable ballasts fail a lot more than the standard ballasts. See above
btb72
New member
Would I not want the bulbs to Cover the whole tank? Or having the 6 inches on both sides would be just fine.
rtparty
Raise The Reef!
It is a well known problem with the ATI fixtures. Do a search on it. Very common for them to die just after warranty. Again, this is usually due to overheating issues because the ATI temp controller doesn't work properly
CoralNerd
Active member
I'm not sure if that's still accurate however and how many people just repeated this comment. I've had no issues with mine...knock on wood [emoji6]
rtparty
Raise The Reef!
Do you plan to have corals touching both sides of the tank? Or do you plan to centralize your rockwork and maybe run some low light stuff on the edges?
Here is my old 40B with a 4x24w unit. I kept frags on the side glass all the time.
I couldn't use the 6 bulb because my overflow was made way too large and took up over 4" of real estate. I later changed things up and ran a 5 bulb unit that was 36". The 4x24w ATI was by far better.
rtparty
Raise The Reef!
Still accurate??? The issues are still happening. ATI hasn't done a thing to fix it. I am not saying it is a guarantee to happen but for the price, it happens far too often. Search the ATI LED Powermodule failures as well. Same ballast and same temp control. It doesn't work. :deadhorse:
Bpb
New member
Thank you. Just because something is common doesn't make it a guarantee on every unit that leaves the assembly line. I literally am glad yours still works. But it is a common enough complaint I decided not to ignore the reviews and find out for myself. Loving my non dimmable. As far as the op goes. A 6x36" is fine it just needs to be hung really high unless this is an acro frag tank end to end. If I were doing a mixed reef 40b I'd likely use a 4x24" fixture with led supplements and hang it about 10" up. Pure acro tank with clams? I'd consider a 6x36. Fwiw I use a 8x54 watt on my 90 gallon. It's massive overkill and I only run 6 bulbs at peak photoperiod even at 12" over the tank
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DivingTheWorld
Active member
I went with a Dimmable fixture and do not regret my decision. I prefer the look of dimming up and down on Channel 1 with a B+ and Actinic over an hour on each side. It's similar to how it was with my Radions. My Channel 2 only dims up and down over 1 minute.
As far as livestock, I don't think the corals care one way or another but fish do! I find that going from dark to 100% power on my T5s causes my fish to freak and smash into corals and rocks. I would worry they might potentially injure themselves or carpet surf. Even dimming up or down over 1 minute alleviates that.
If going with non-dimmable, you can always do the dimming with a Reefbrite strip or supplemented LEDs. But if you're only going with the one ATI fixture, non-dimmable would be quite a shock for fish.
I can't speak for longevity of my ballasts. I hope they last!
As far as livestock, I don't think the corals care one way or another but fish do! I find that going from dark to 100% power on my T5s causes my fish to freak and smash into corals and rocks. I would worry they might potentially injure themselves or carpet surf. Even dimming up or down over 1 minute alleviates that.
If going with non-dimmable, you can always do the dimming with a Reefbrite strip or supplemented LEDs. But if you're only going with the one ATI fixture, non-dimmable would be quite a shock for fish.
I can't speak for longevity of my ballasts. I hope they last!
codydemmel4
Active member
i was going to say go with non dimmable because i thought the dimmable was a lot more expensive and wasnt worth it but now looking and seeing its only $80 more. I would go with the dimmable as long as you are not worried about the ballasts possibly not staying good as long, however even if they do go after a couple of years they are a quick and cheap fix.
I do love my 8x80w non dimmable with reef brites on each side, with the reefbrites get some hours of just blue both before and after the t5s go off to let the fish "Adjust" and also enjoy the SPS with the just blue
I do love my 8x80w non dimmable with reef brites on each side, with the reefbrites get some hours of just blue both before and after the t5s go off to let the fish "Adjust" and also enjoy the SPS with the just blue
Bpb
New member
I think the fish shock is overstated. Having used dimmable LEDs as well as only metal halides I've never noticed any fish freak outs or anything. They are all usually hiding and asleep when the lights come on anyway. Plus the bulbs fire up super dark and dim anyway since they're cold and it takes a couple minutes to brighten up.
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