I was using a 8x54 1st generation Powermodule (no LEDs) on my 90g, but recently upgraded to a new tank. Would you recommend the 60" 4 bulb or 8 bulb hybrid? My tank is 150g (63in) with a lot large SPS colonies. I am currently using Kessils, but I am getting a lot of shadowing.
ATI Powermodule Hybrid Club
- Thread starter rodneyri
- Start date
sahin
Ultimate Reefer
I'd get the 8 tube. 4 tube unit is just not wide enough. If a 6 tube unit existed I'd have said that might just be fine, but 4 tube is not wide enough for the big tanks.
Patrick Cox
Active member
Hello,
I am wanting to increase my light levels on my tank as I have an acro or two that look a bit brown. My fixture is the 4x39w T5 and 2x75w LED. My T5 bulbs are B+, 2 C+, Actinic.
Here is my program. Should I increase the LED light levels or increase the length of time my lights are on? T5 are on 100% for 5.5 hours, LEDs are on about 30% for 6 hours. Par values are 200-270 for my acros. The one that is looking the most brown is on the lower end of that. Thanks for any suggestions.
I am wanting to increase my light levels on my tank as I have an acro or two that look a bit brown. My fixture is the 4x39w T5 and 2x75w LED. My T5 bulbs are B+, 2 C+, Actinic.
Here is my program. Should I increase the LED light levels or increase the length of time my lights are on? T5 are on 100% for 5.5 hours, LEDs are on about 30% for 6 hours. Par values are 200-270 for my acros. The one that is looking the most brown is on the lower end of that. Thanks for any suggestions.
msderganc
New member
I think if I did it again, I'd build a floating canopy and then use a couple of the four bulb sunpowers with three or four Kessils. Same (or more) output, same rough footprint, more redundancy in the case of a failure, and more control.
msderganc
New member
Hello,
I am wanting to increase my light levels on my tank as I have an acro or two that look a bit brown. My fixture is the 4x39w T5 and 2x75w LED. My T5 bulbs are B+, 2 C+, Actinic.
Here is my program. Should I increase the LED light levels or increase the length of time my lights are on? T5 are on 100% for 5.5 hours, LEDs are on about 30% for 6 hours. Par values are 200-270 for my acros. The one that is looking the most brown is on the lower end of that. Thanks for any suggestions.
I'd increase the LED intensity slowly (maybe 1% per day).
Patrick Cox
Active member
What about the duration? Thanks.
msderganc
New member
I would only adjust one at a time and watch carefully. Back off if you see bleaching.
Once the LED intensity is around 80 or so, I'd start slowly extending duration, maybe a few minutes per day.
saline solution
New member
Depends on what you want, you can also drop T5 intensity amd extent duration. Some people run 9-10 hours. I keeping low still, and have longer duration, whatever works for you. Just do it slow.
Patrick Cox
Active member
Hi
i don't really like dropping T5 intensity because when you put in new bulbs you have to run them at full 100% for a few days so that seems like a pain. I will probably increase the LEDs some and then extend out the time. Thanks for the advice.
Patrick Cox
Active member
Thanks. I am guessing that 80% will be too high with these lights. What PAR value range do you think I should ultimately shoot for in the part of the tank where I have my SPS?
msderganc
New member
People have success anywhere from 200 to 600+. LED intensity will be slightly understated by a PAR meter probably, so keep that in mind.
The key is making the change gradually. Most SPS will do well on the upper side of that spectrum if slowly acclimated to it.
Patrick Cox
Active member
IMO, no. For me, the LEDs in this fixture are about aesthetics of the tank. You can run blue LEDs at night and you can add some shimmer to the tank during the day with one clean fixture. But I do not believe the LEDs have made my corals more healthy or grow faster. Just my laymen's opinion but I owned the 6x39w Dimmable Sunpower for about 18 months or so and now I have owned the 4x39w / 2x75w fixture for about 6 months. I do like the new fixture though but if you are cost conscious, you might just stick with the ATI T5 only.
Good luck
msderganc
New member
I wouldn't worry too much about the dimmable ballast. I end up not using it much. You could just reduce the photoperiod at first and turn down the LED intensity.
Finally got the new control box installed and it seems the problem with the T5s not dimming is finally fixed. Have not run a full 24 hour cycle yet but did a day preview and it did ramp up and dim back down as it's supposed to. I can now finally see the possibilities with the light especially with being able to dim T5s. Will now use LEDs as supplemental light source since I was using them as main source all along due to T5 issue. Hope to see better colors in my corals. Took ATI 5 weeks to get the problem fixed which I am not happy about but at least they did!
r33fswagg3r
New member
Thank you so much Sahin! Picked up the bulbs, any recommendations on what order I should place them?
sahin
Ultimate Reefer
Enjoy your light now haha. Glad for you its sorted.
I take it you picked up:
3xBlue+
3xCoral+
2xTrue Actinic
OPTION1
IF you run all both T5 channels together and LED Blues as dawn/dusk
Combo from FRONT:
Blue+
Actinic
Coral+
Blue+
--LED's--
Coral+
Actinic
Coral+
Blue+
OPTION2
If you want to run the T5 channels separately (ie to use all Blue/Actinics as dawn/dusk):
Combo from FRONT:
Blue+
Actinic
Coral+
Blue+
--LED's--
Coral+
Coral+
Actinic
Blue+
I would personally choose option1 as the tubes are much better distributed and utilise the LED's for the dawn/dusk.
Alternatively, use the tube combo in option 1 and still use the outer tubes as dawn/dusk along with the Royal Blue LED (but you will have 1 white tube).
r33fswagg3r
New member
Enjoy your light now haha. Glad for you its sorted.
I take it you picked up:
3xBlue+
3xCoral+
2xTrue Actinic
OPTION1
IF you run all both T5 channels together and LED Blues as dawn/dusk
Combo from FRONT:
Blue+
Actinic
Coral+
Blue+
--LED's--
Coral+
Actinic
Coral+
Blue+
OPTION2
If you want to run the T5 channels separately (ie to use all Blue/Actinics as dawn/dusk):
Combo from FRONT:
Blue+
Actinic
Coral+
Blue+
--LED's--
Coral+
Coral+
Actinic
Blue+
I would personally choose option1 as the tubes are much better distributed and utilise the LED's for the dawn/dusk.
Alternatively, use the tube combo in option 1 and still use the outer tubes as dawn/dusk along with the Royal Blue LED (but you will have 1 white tube).
Yes I picked up all bulbs you suggested, was not sure if you would be able to get back to me today so I found one of your most recent bulb changes you did and put the tubes in the order you had. I do want to use the led's for dusk/dawn.
Do I need to do a burn in period with the new ATI bulbs?
sahin
Ultimate Reefer
Burn them in at least 40 hours before you start dimming.
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