ATI LED power module vs. Pacific Sun Pandora Hyperion S

SaltwaterSensei

SaltwaterSensei

Premium Member
I've been really liking to the idea of a hybrid led and t5 lighting system. I've been pretty much wanting to get one of the ATI led powermodules but then came across the Pacific Sun Pandora Hyperion S. It seems that the 36" inch units from both companies (well actually I think they're both closer to 34") could be considered comparable.

With the ATI you get two 75 watt led modules and a choice of 4 to 8 T5's, with the led module being basically 4 channels I think.

The Pacific sun Pandora Hyperion S you get two 145 watt led clusters at 8 channels and 4 t5s.

So it seems each company went in different directions with their hybrid units ATI went with a more potentially T5 heavy unit and Pacific Sun went more toward the LED side of the equation.

I've looked through the LED powermodule thread and it seems everyone is really liking their LED Powermodule.

Are there any Pandora Hyperion S owners out there? Personally I think from an aesthetic point of view the Pac Sun looks nicer, the ATI just looks like the same old ATI fixtures.

On paper I think they both have their advantages. Another thing is ATI has a really good rep for quality and a huge following, I'm not to familiar with Pacific Suns reputaion.
I have liked the look of their all LED metis in the few threads I've seen it in. ANother cool thing about the Pandora Hyperion S, it has a fully modular and upgradable feature which is a big plus IMO.

If I were to buy one I think I'm leaning toward the Pandora Hyperion S, but in all honestly I'm a far ways away from buying new lights. I just haven't heard much talk about the pac sun hybrid and was wondering why that is.
 
I've never owned a Hyperion but can say the ATI is a nice light. Sleek, powerful and punches out huge light capability. Admittedly I use mostly 4 T5 not the full 8, but I do like using the outer T5 tubes giving great coverage. The LED add some nice shimmer and color rendering to tailor the light output to what you like.
 
im testing the number of tubes now, basically i use 4 tubes for 8 hours of the day, and all 8 tubes for just one of those hours.
 
ATI are the experts in T5, so you may be getting a better quality T5 setup by going with them. Pacific Sun is a very nice looking fixture, I have the LEDs only. I believe on Pacific Sun's new fixtures they are matching up closer to ATI in that the LED panels have less colors and are more tightly clustered together.

I think they are both great fixtures and you can't go wrong either way.
 
Great topic. I believe I have my choice narrowed down to these 2-fixtures. Any more info 1-year later?
 
I'm a PacSun user, so I have a bias towards them. However I love ATI products and their powermodules and sunpower are the best T5 units IMO. I have seen both units in operation, and prefer the Pacific Sun. I feel the Pandora is an LED unit with some T5 supplementation, and the ATI is a T5 unit with some LEDs. Think about which you prefer. IMO, the color combinations are better with the Hyperion. The only negative I will say about it is that the T5s are not independently controlled or dimmable.
 
ghostman said:
I'm a PacSun user, so I have a bias towards them. However I love ATI products and their powermodules and sunpower are the best T5 units IMO. I have seen both units in operation, and prefer the Pacific Sun. I feel the Pandora is an LED unit with some T5 supplementation, and the ATI is a T5 unit with some LEDs. Think about which you prefer. IMO, the color combinations are better with the Hyperion. The only negative I will say about it is that the T5s are not independently controlled or dimmable.
Click to expand...

This helps, thank you. That's a good way to look at it.
 
Anything new on this topic? Im trying to decide if I should get the ATI hybrid or PAC sun Pandora Hyperion. Tank is mostly SPS and LPS. Tank is 48x24x24 Looking for the T5 color but also want the power savings of LED
 
Hello Powdertang, Anything I share would be very bias, but I am happy to address any specific questions you may have. Feel free to write or call if you want to discuss.

The 4x54w LED Powermodule would be great for your size tank.
 
@powdertang05

Both fixtures join best from two worlds - T5 and LED.
There you can find simple comparison between both hybrids(made some time ago but it should be still valid):
ati_vs_ps_5.png
 
You have right cause in September we offer Cube bridge which allow our Customers to control all our products thru WiFi network remotely from any place in world 8-)
That device will work with all actual products on market (manufactured even 7 years ago).
It's about Kore dosing stations, Metis Hyperions, Pandora Hyperions and all Diuna T5 lamps also(whole line wireless devices)
One device(Cube) for control all of them - it's long waiting addition by many our Customers! Like in Lord of the rings! ;-) HaHa!
New app will include also several lighting scenarios (yes!) which were taken from natural reef light measures(for hybrid and LED only units).
 
Last edited:
sahin said:
ATI have made announcement on FB with regards to new version of the LED Powermodule. The new version will be wifi enabled and feature new LED clusters which contain 410nm, 430nm and 500nm cyan diodes amongst others.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1431189756920903&substory_index=0&id=166893510017207
Click to expand...

Nice move adding those diode colors.................now if they would have put those LEDs on the two outside slots they'd have the perfect Powermodule.........would help to nicely mix everything as well as reduce bleaching acros.

This would have made the fixture more reliable from a performance standpoint and taken a big chunk of business from the Reefbrite strip type companies.
 
Big E said:
Nice move adding those diode colors.................now if they would have put those LEDs on the two outside slots they'd have the perfect Powermodule.........would help to nicely mix everything as well as reduce bleaching acros.

This would have made the fixture more reliable from a performance standpoint and taken a big chunk of business from the Reefbrite strip type companies.
Click to expand...

That is a good idea Ed. But I did measure the PAR under the LED cluster across my old tank when I had the 8x24 unit. This had a single LED cluster. Surprisingly, by the use of reflectors as opposed to lens, ATI managed to have the light spread quite even (with some hotpot under the cluster...although I don't remember the figures, I recall being surprised by the good spread of light). I may have posted a PAR map 3-4 years ago. Cant measure now as I sold my old unit and will have to wait until I get a larger unit for my new tank.
 
^^
Agreed.
I have the 8xT5/Led PacSun Hybrd. I love the fixture, but I would prefer to have half the LEDs on each side (preferably in pos 2 and 7) Cost price would go up quite a bit though.
I know PacSun already has a model similar to this though. It is called "Ariel". (...but my "normal hybrid" was expensive enough :) )

T5
T5
LED
T5
T5
LED
T5
T5

Ariel:
Pacifc-Sun-Ariel-LED-+-T5.jpg
 
sahin said:
That is a good idea Ed. But I did measure the PAR under the LED cluster across my old tank when I had the 8x24 unit. This had a single LED cluster. Surprisingly, by the use of reflectors as opposed to lens, ATI managed to have the light spread quite even (with some hotpot under the cluster...although I don't remember the figures, I recall being surprised by the good spread of light). I may have posted a PAR map 3-4 years ago. Cant measure now as I sold my old unit and will have to wait until I get a larger unit for my new tank.
Click to expand...

I get what you're saying, but real world application isn't the same as taking a bunch of measurements. It's also different when someone like you is setting up the unit versus most people who haven't been exposed to the same knowledge and experience.

I bolded that part because I've seen so many people fry corals in those hot spot areas under Powermodules. It's only common sense to know most people are going to create an aquascape where the highest spots are in the middle of the tank. This is why I prefer the strips/clusters, even with directional reflectors, on the outside. The LEDs only need to be supplemental, they aren't needed for par. The cluster can then be directed to criss-cross and also create a mirror image opposite each other.

A par meter doesn't show the effects of a narrow spectrum of color set too high that can trash a coral. Everyone of those people had to start fresh with the LED cluster off till those corals recovered then slowly work them back on by observing the coral's reaction over time.

People think they can take a bunch of par readings....fudge a little for the right ambient look and be good to go.....it doesn't work like that in most cases.

You only have to look at the success of hundreds of people using Sunpowers and LED strips as add on supplements to see this type of design would work best, especially for acropora dominant systems. Even then there can be some issues without dimmers on the LEDs.

In a nutshell for simplicity, performance and ease of use I would have it designed as described. More people would have success and less problems.
 
Big E said:
Nice move adding those diode colors.................now if they would have put those LEDs on the two outside slots they'd have the perfect Powermodule.........would help to nicely mix everything as well as reduce bleaching acros.

This would have made the fixture more reliable from a performance standpoint and taken a big chunk of business from the Reefbrite strip type companies.
Click to expand...

Hello Ed!

I must chime in to share that I disagree with your assessment in this situation. Even on a very wide tank, say 30" the reflectors in the LED Powermodule do a superb job filling the entire tank with light. If one was to put these clusters on the edges of the light you would waste half the light onto the floor as well as have it shine into your eyes while trying to enjoy the tank. Comparing this to ReefBrites on a Sunpower is not an equal comparison since nearly everyone runs these at an angle which allows the light to be direct into the tank. Which having this at an angle also creates more reflection of the light off the water which yields less usable light for the corals.

The even distribution of light from the LEDs on the LED Powermodule is in my opinion (granted very bias) one of the best in the business.

Greatly appreciate the thoughts and feedback!
 
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