ATI fixture for LPS tank?

[deaddat]

I was wondering if you guys think an ATI sunpower would be to strong for an LPS ONLY tank? I plan on upgrading to a ~24"x24"x20" cube. I would be getting a 24" 8 lamp fixture.

I currently have an aquaticlife t5 fixture on a 20g high and my LPS is doing great with the highest ones being about 7 inches from the bulbs.

I've read everywhere ATI fixtures are the best etc, but it seems like EVERYONE just wants to keep SPS corals and that's what they base all equipment on. I don't want to get the ATI fixture and have to raise it so high it would be a second room light. So would the ATI be overkill and a waste of money?

 

[shred5]

If your fixture is working why change?

Yea ATI is better than aquatic life and you can always raise the fixture or shorten photo period but why if your fixture is working?

I personally think the new Giesemann fixtures are better than the ATI. They are relativity new in the states again but higher priced too...

 

[deaddat]

If your fixture is working why change?

Yea ATI is better than aquatic life and you can always raise the fixture or shorten photo period but why if your fixture is working?

I personally think the new Giesemann fixtures are better than the ATI. They are relativity new in the states again but higher priced too...

I'm going to be upgrading to a bigger tank which will be ~24" wide and ~20" high, so that's about 12 inches wider and 4 inches taller than my current tank.

Unless you think the light coverage would still be good enough for the larger tank?

 

[ifarmer]

if 8 bulbs is too much. try to run with just 6 bulbs.
ATI is much better looking and much stronger than aquaticlife light

if you have yet purchased the ati 8 bulbs. and the tank that you are going to upgrade to is only ~24"x24"x20" then I think any 4 bulbs fixture should work if you are only keeping just lps and softies.

 

[deaddat]

if 8 bulbs is too much. try to run with just 6 bulbs.
dont buy aquaticlife light. ATI is much better looking and much stronger

I know ATI is stronger, the thing is I don't want the light to be too strong for my LPS only tank.

Why do you think 8 lamp would be to much? The ATI 8 lamp is 18" wide which would leave roughly 3" on each side. I tried searching the spread of t5's but couldn't find much. I feel like I would need a wide fixture because of my corals on the sand bed.

I will admit my Aquaticlife fixture doesn't give a crystal clear color, it's almost like everything is under a dull filter. *I'm using ATI bulbs*

 

[shred5]

I know ATI is stronger, the thing is I don't want the light to be too strong for my LPS only tank.

Why do you think 8 lamp would be to much? The ATI 8 lamp is 17" wide.

I will admit my Aquaticlife fixture doesn't give a crystal clear color, it's almost like everything is under a dull filter. *I'm using ATI bulbs*

You need a different combination of bulbs then... That has nothing to do with the fixture..

Also with t-5 less bulbs does not necessarily mean less light it means less coverage.. Same with more lights it just means more coverage not necessarily more light..

 

[deaddat]

You need a different combination of bulbs then... That has nothing to do with the fixture..

Also with t-5 less bulbs does not necessarily mean less light it means less coverage.. Same with more lights it just means more coverage not necessarily more light..

Sorry for being an idiot, I don't know why this is so frustrating to me. Wouldn't I want more coverage since I will have my sand bed covered with corals?

I just want to make the right purchase.

Currently I'm running 3 blue+ and 1 purple plus which is recommended by ATI for a 4 bulb fixture for a 20k look.

 

[ViktorVaughn]

Youd be fine with the 6 bulb, maybe even the 4 bulb depending on where you place your coral. I have a 6 bulb sunpower on my 24" wide SPS dominant tank. When I upgraded from my old aquatic life unit to the ATI I had some bleaching occur with some SPS that were 12" away from the light. They use solid reflectors inside the fixture so the light spreads nicely. I have about 5" on each side of the light depth wise and my entire tank, sandbed included gets plenty of light.

 

[deaddat]

Youd be fine with the 6 bulb, maybe even the 4 bulb depending on where you place your coral. I have a 6 bulb sunpower on my 24" wide SPS dominant tank. When I upgraded from my old aquatic life unit to the ATI I had some bleaching occur with some SPS that were 12" away from the light. They use solid reflectors inside the fixture so the light spreads nicely. I have about 5" on each side of the light depth wise and my entire tank, sandbed included gets plenty of light.

Thanks and thanks everyone else! I will definitely go with a 6 bulb.

 

[shred5]

Sorry for being an idiot, I don't know why this is so frustrating to me. Wouldn't I want more coverage since I will have my sand bed covered with corals?

I just want to make the right purchase.

Currently I'm running 3 blue+ and 1 purple plus which is recommended by ATI for a 4 bulb fixture for a 20k look.

Well that Bulb combo is not good to me, I really dont like the purple plus unless you have it with another bulb like a coral plus or aquablue special.. The purple bulb really gives a washed out look. I would replace the purple plus with one of the bulbs I listed. It is really hard getting the right colors with only 4 bulbs..

I didn't say you needed less bulbs I was making a statement on coverage.. With 24" I would go 8 bulbs 6 minimum.. Right now I run 6 on a 18" tank and when I upgrade to a 24" I am upgrading to 8 bulbs.. With less bulbs you have to raise the fixture more but that should be ok since you are going for less light anyway..

 

[ifarmer]

24" high or 24" wide?
for 24wx24lx20h, 8 bulbs is plenty for LPS.
alot of people using 8 bulbs on a 30x30x24 tank just fine even with sps on the sand bed.