ATI Powermodule Hybrid Club

[rtparty]

So I have a 60x18x24" tall acrylic and wondering about the 8 bulb powermodule. I do have an external coast to coast overflow that I could use as a frag tank since the unit is 20"? My tank is 90% sps.

My other potential issue is I have a canopy that is 15" tall. However, the canopy is open completely. I was thinking of hanging a 60" 8 bulb fixture. Do you think it will be ok?

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I wanted to give a few pics to show what I have to deal with. As you can see from the last pic you can see the external overflow which is 5" so when adding the 18" I would have more than enough for the 20" wide fixture, right?

Also you can't see very well but the canopy is completely open on top But it is also very tall, my goal was to have the fixture just set to the top of the canopy so there would be no light spillage but it would be nearly 14-16" off the water which I know is too high. The 60" would fit all the way into the canopy but would not leave much room on either side? Some help?

Personally, I don't like using overflows for anything but an overflow and want very little light in them. Growing algae and other things in an overflow can increase the risk of flooding exponentially.

I would go with a 48" unit personally if you are going to use a canopy so you have better ventilation. You will get plenty of spread from a 4 bulb fixture being that high up and save yourself some money.

The 8 bulb will work fine as well but you will waste a ton of light that way.

 

[flamron]

The four bulb would be plenty. I was cooking acros that came from LED systems with my four bulb fixture. In a 24" tank over half way down (about. 8" off the sand).

 

[Lubeck]

Hmm a 48" 4 bulb unit. I tend to want more than enough light and would rather turn it down. If I go with the 4 bulb I think I might alter the canopy and get the 60"? Thoughts?

 

[sahin]

Lubeck: With your rockwork the way it is, I would get the 60" Powermodule. I like to have full coverage of light over my tank...just my way.

As for 8 tube or 4 tube...I have a 20" front to back tank, and one tube is wasted (but I bought this unit because I know I am upgrading to a 90-100gallon cube sometime next year).

So with your 18" front to back, you will waste at least 2 tubes. Thats like 160watts if you went for the 60".

As for using the overflow...you will definitely get algae growth in there...unchecked it would lead to a disaster...consider that you have that large canopy, so its not like you can just have a quick look in the overflow every day...that would scare me. I would advise against this idea.

 

[Lubeck]

Lubeck: With your rockwork the way it is, I would get the 60" Powermodule. I like to have full coverage of light over my tank...just my way.

As for 8 tube or 4 tube...I have a 20" front to back tank, and one tube is wasted (but I bought this unit because I know I am upgrading to a 90-100gallon cube sometime next year).

So with your 18" front to back, you will waste at least 2 tubes. Thats like 160watts if you went for the 60".

As for using the overflow...you will definitely get algae growth in there...unchecked it would lead to a disaster...consider that you have that large canopy, so its not like you can just have a quick look in the overflow every day...that would scare me. I would advise against this idea.

Thanks for the feedback. I'm glad you said 60" I agree. My rocks are tricky and have a lot of angles. I guess if I really wanted to I could not put the last two bulbs in and have 6 bulbs running? That would work right ? Most will think its a waste of money but it would give me a better bulb combination would it not?

 

[sahin]

Thanks for the feedback. I'm glad you said 60" I agree. My rocks are tricky and have a lot of angles. I guess if I really wanted to I could not put the last two bulbs in and have 6 bulbs running? That would work right ? Most will think its a waste of money but it would give me a better bulb combination would it not?

You MUST have all tubes in for the all 8 tubes to work. It wont light up with 2 missing tubes and you WILL DAMAGE the ballast.

Since you have a canopy, you can get the 4tube and retrofit another 2 tubes at the back or 1 in front 1 at back. Honestly, I would do that if I really wanted the extra combo to play with.

 

[sahin]

Just wanted to update that I am seeing some of my acros colouring up a bit more compared to the previous Sunpower. I am loving this fixture! I wont post photos right now, as the corals are still adjusting and I am still tweaking the settings. I will post photos when I believe the corals are done adjusting.

I can say that IF you buy this light, you can be certain that in terms of spectrum and PAR you have the best light IMO out there. You can be sure that its your water quality or something else if your corals arent doing well under this light.

I did some quick PAR testing a few days ago and I was pleasantly surprised to find the PAR is VERY even across the tank...NO HOTSPOTS at all. I hate it when corals start to bend and grow towards the hotspots in a tank...With the ATI LED Powermodule, I am happy that this is more or less eliminated as the PAR spread is very even. ATI have done a brilliant job with the reflectors on the LED's.

I've been researching a new light unit for the past year or so. I've looked at the Mitras and the Radion Pro very closely (these two are pretty much full spectrum). A couple of my buddies have them...but the main issue I have with LED only units is that the light is always most concentrated directly under the unit and the very nature of LED's creates lots of shadows.

I've even seen the Radion Pro's with the yet UNRELEASED WIDE ANGLE lens...there were still many shadows. The wide and diffused light created by T5's just cant be beat.

So I have stuck with proven technology which also comes with the benefits of LED's. I am very happy with my new light.

Will definitely post photos of my SPS corals soon.

 

[flamron]

Still loving my light.

Just wish I could hook it up to my apex! (ATI - you hear us?)

 

[Confuse]

Anyone know which banks are controlled by which channel?

I have 6 Blue+, 1 Coral Plus, and one Purple+ and don't know what order I should run them at.

 

[Rognin]

So need some advice.

Come X-Mas I should be able to order my Miracles aquarium. Dimensions are 57L x 20W x 30H.

Should I go for a 48" 4 tubes or 48" 8 tubes due to the depth of the tank?

Edit: I'll keep softies, LPS and may try my hand at an SPS or two. I'd also like a anemone and clam when the tank gets close to one year old.

Thanks!

 

[flamron]

I think the 4 bulb is good enough due to the LEDs.

 

[Lubeck]

I just ordered the ATI 60" 4x75W LED & 4x80W T5 LED Powermodule!!!! We will see how it performs. Hopefully get it by Tuesday

 

[Lubeck]

Oh I bought 2 actinic, 2 blue plus, 1 purple and 1 coral plus. Didn't know which 4 bulb combo I really wanted so I bought a few so I could play around. Need to read up on the programming. Also need to sell my 3 kessils.

 

[flamron]

Congrats!

Welcome to the club.

 

[rodneyri]

For 4 bulbs i would use B,A, LED, P,B. Swap out the A with the CP if you like a bit more white.

Do all 4 bulbs come on at once or is it 2+2? ive got 8 bulb so not sure.


I lowered my light the other week from 25cm down to 17cm above water, wow what a difference...tank looks brighter, crisper and corals are showing positive signs

 

[flamron]

Front two and back two are on separate channels

 

[Lubeck]

Thanks all. I believe there is a programming tutorial in this thread right? How high does everyone have their lights hung? Any other pointers ??

 

[rtparty]

Yes my tutorial is a few pages back. I'm really hoping ATI will put it on their site for easy reference.

Mine is about 12" over the water but my tank is only 12" tall as well.

 

[flamron]

Has anyone taken their controller box apart?

I'm really curious to see what is inside and if we could somehow DIY the channels to tie to an apex.

I will see if it's doable today and take pics. I'm willing to test some stuff out, but will need help along the way, as I'm not too familiar with those things.

 

[rtparty]

I would bet that opening the box will void any and all warranty on the light so I'd be careful with it all.