ATI Light Overkill?

stevem650

Member
Switching my Redsea 450 to a Redsea 750 which is 71*23.6h*25.6w rimless. My present tank is a mixture soft, LPS with many sps. I want to switch to the new ATI 8 bulb 80w with 4 led hybrid 60" fixture. The 6 bulb version will not be available for awhile. I will be adding more acros/sps and concerned this fixture is overkill for my size tank, lighting the floor and the light will bleach my corals. My other option is 3 Radion xr30w g4 pro without t5 supplement. The tank is rimless.
Don't know which way to go. Thanks
 
Look at all of the build threads of 8-10 bulb T5s from Europe. There are a lot in the US too. Amazing results. I would use the 8 bulb in a heartbeat.

I know that there is all kinds of talk about less light being better, but IMO, most of this was misunderstood from a few articles and "studies" that did not focus on "should" but more on "can" and being retold by people who a few-month-old cube with 3/4" frags still on the plugs. Bet on the rule, not the exception. Bet on the people with colonies, not the guys who watched some BRS videos and browse the message boards. In this case both the rule and the experienced people will lead you towards 8 bulb ATI.

FWIW - I just consider the LEDs in those to be to play with and the bulk of the light coming from the T5s.
 
You'll love it. I don't have the hybrid but I think instead of the hybrid I would buy the sun power and 2 reefbright strips if it were me. But,,,, I know people that have the hybrids and they love the performance and shimmer


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You'll love it. I don't have the hybrid but I think instead of the hybrid I would buy the sun power and 2 reefbright strips if it were me. But,,,, I know people that have the hybrids and they love the performance and shimmer


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My tank is rimless so it needs to be one fixture. I am trying to find mounting other than hanging the fixture from the ceiling. Fixture weighs around 60lbs with bulbs. Any ideas?
 
My tank is rimless so it needs to be one fixture. I am trying to find mounting other than hanging the fixture from the ceiling. Fixture weighs around 60lbs with bulbs. Any ideas?

I built a frame from 80/20 aluminum shapes, 15 series. This thing could easily hold 60 lbs. I know I have LED, but no reason something like this would not work for a T-5 fixture.

IMG_1377-L.jpg

image-L.jpg
 
There are multiple options for creating a "lamp tree" that's mounted to the back of your stand. These options go all the way from a custom-manufactured anodized aluminum setup from a local machine shop ($$$$) to a DIY bent electrical conduit that's painted black ($).

No matter which of these options are chosen, though, you still have a lamp tree to look at. And you may find that an unwelcome collision with your noggin is a frequent occurrence when working in your tank - DAMHIKT. For that reason, my fixtures are all hung from the ceiling. If properly done with drywall anchors and/or into a mounting board that's screwed into the joists, 60lbs. isn't an issue.
 
I built a frame from 80/20 aluminum shapes, 15 series. This thing could easily hold 60 lbs. I know I have LED, but no reason something like this would not work for a T-5 fixture.

IMG_1377-L.jpg

image-L.jpg

You sir are one handy individual.

Love that light bar set up :spin1::mixed:
 
Just took these for you since I've never seen anyone else come up with this idea. I went to home depot and grabbed the metal piping for Im assuming gas lines. I found these nice mounts there that the screw directly in to. I basically bought a nice strip of 2"x1" and drilled it in to the wall studs. After that I mounted the bases into the board. Painted it all with black spray paint. To finish it off I drilled some small holes in the end to slip the hanging kit wire into. Let me know if you have any questions.

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Get Taylor that's not bad was thinking of going 8020 but this might be as good


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You will be pretty amazed by the Hybrid. I have had one for some time and unfortunately I have a lot of bad things to say mainly due to a faulty unit and faulty controller. This said (for the pure reason that things can go wrong, but in all fairness, despite a nearly two year battle ATI is on the case and I am expecting a brand new unit to drop down soon) the good things are:
the controller is pretty amazing
the amount of light you can produce is rather insane
with 8 tube and led's your choice of light is complex in the variety you can produce, colour variations you can produce and simple facts that you can start it as a 4 tube and then ramp up to 8 tubes use.
during all my woes i frequently had to switch back to a sun power which is also 8 tubes and the difference is massive.
be sure to check your parameters.. the use of alkalinity, calcium and oddly potassium shot through the roof within days and the colour changes in some corals knocked the socks of every single one of my friends.
ATI customer service is pretty good, the whole thing is just do not 'cope' with imperfections, let them know directly asap and they will sort it.
and of course.. this thread is useless unless you post the pictures of before after.. let us learn from your journey
 
I too am building a new 180 gallon setup and have the same dilemma of what lights? I have been using a home built LED system for over 8 years with good results but and looking for better growth and a better looking fixture. What's the heat situation like with these T5s? I have never used them. I don't plan on recommissioning my chiller as it's ugly and has been great not having to use it with the LEds. I'm also going to have fully enclosed cabinetry, no open top tanks for me. Too much heat or will it be manageable?
 
it didn't make a difference to my tank temperature wise.. it depends how long you run them. some people have amazing tanks with only 8 hours of light and when you bring the sun into your house.. the room heats up before the tank does. i tend to like warmer tanks anyway
 
Look at all of the build threads of 8-10 bulb T5s from Europe. There are a lot in the US too. Amazing results. I would use the 8 bulb in a heartbeat.

I know that there is all kinds of talk about less light being better, but IMO, most of this was misunderstood from a few articles and "studies" that did not focus on "should" but more on "can" and being retold by people who a few-month-old cube with 3/4" frags still on the plugs. Bet on the rule, not the exception. Bet on the people with colonies, not the guys who watched some BRS videos and browse the message boards. In this case both the rule and the experienced people will lead you towards 8 bulb ATI.

FWIW - I just consider the LEDs in those to be to play with and the bulk of the light coming from the T5s.


I am with you on this.
So little experimentation on such a small set of coral has been done.
For example, I still believe we under lit acro.
I have acro under 800 Par, they are not dead, instead they grow faster than they were under 450par


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