ATI Powermodule Hybrid Club

[JPMagyar]

Where did you get the FM Ultra Blue from? I cannot find them here.

Also given you dim the T5s how long do your bulbs last?

I have been following your suggestion of turning off LEDs when T5s on but my LEDs in the pm are at higher power (70%) then dim down over 3 hours. Have not seen much difference in coral colors yet but I did have a bit of an alk swing from my ca-reactor not working right so that could be it.

And anemone in a reef tank! Or is that a torch?

I had to buy the bulbs direct from Germany, but they arrived in the US in 4 days with no extra charge so I consider them a bargain. Honestly though I must disagree with Lunar. I feel they are slightly less blue than the ATI Blue Plus, and I say that with me running the two bulbs side by side.

As to the dimming, yes 100% I think the dimming is reducing the useful life on my bulbs. I recently changed out my Giesemann Super Actinics for new ATI Blue Plus because I felt that after just 4 months they were putting out too little PAR to be useful. My plan is to replace all the bulbs every six months.

No one ever said Reefin' was cheap!!

 

[Ben.91]

Ati DIY Hybrid Question??

Ati DIY Hybrid Question??

So I'm upgrading from my jbj rimless to a full size 65 tank that'll have a canopy over it. I'm currently interested in running the 6 bulb, 36in ati dimmable fixture, but I also want the shimmer to show under all of those bulbs as well. I was wondering if two kessil 160 tuna blues on placed on each side of the tank )kinda like a spotlight) will do the trick.?? Any experience with other lights will be greatly appreciated as well.

 

[Kengar]

Two New Units Not Holding Time......

Two New Units Not Holding Time......

I bought two units just recently and hung them the other day. I have had them plugged in for two or three days now, but time is still resetting to 00:00:00 when I unplug evn just briefly (5 seconds). I spoke with someone yesterday morning from ATI NA, and he said it takes a few days for battery backup (he thinks it's a capacitor, but was not really sure) to charge to point it can hold time. Is this correct? If so, how long will it take???? Seems strange to me.......

 

[bucfan]

I bought two units just recently and hung them the other day. I have had them plugged in for two or three days now, but time is still resetting to 00:00:00 when I unplug evn just briefly (5 seconds). I spoke with someone yesterday morning from ATI NA, and he said it takes a few days for battery backup (he thinks it's a capacitor, but was not really sure) to charge to point it can hold time. Is this correct? If so, how long will it take???? Seems strange to me.......

Mine does that a year later. But it's longer than 5 secs. Usually a few minutes. Think the battery if any present is no good. Seems a defect in the device. Connecting computer to USB cable and it resets right away.

 

[Kengar]

Connecting computer to USB cable and it resets right away.

Shouldn't have to do that with expensive toys like these......

 

[bucfan]

Shouldn't have to do that with expensive toys like these......

Agreed, but it is what it is.

 

[vikz]

after some help and advice guys.....been running these lights for 2 months now...suprisingly underwhelmed.

They have no wireless controlls, no manual bypas on/off and they cannot keep hold of the time....anyways my real issue is growth, or lack off.

so my display is 42"x30"30" - originally light by 8x39w ATI Sunpower, great unit no problems and currently in my garage gathering dust. I wanted faster growth so was told to go LED, also I love the shimmer and dusk/dawn effects so purchased hybrid.

BUT I could NOT fit the 8 tube hybrid version above the tank (tank is in a wall cavity, so 8 tube version was too wide)......I had to purchase the 4x39w + 2x75W unit instead. My retailer told me it would still be fine these things are par monsters.

So I am currently running unit 8" above water level. T5 come on for 6 hours at 100% (255) and then off.

LED come on for total 8 hours (1 hour sunrise/sunset) then at 40% and peak at 65% then back down to 40% before sunset begins.

Colours I run
R 20
W 125
B 225
RB 225

Initially coral growth stopped because my carbonate demand had stopped totally, now after 2 months it has started again but the demand is not as strong as before. However nothing has bleached (touch wood) as I have slowly been building up my power levels, running at my current levels for 2 weeks.

1. my question is will my growth rate/alk demand increase or is it likely that this would probably be the most I can expect.

2. Do you guys suggest I increase the led power?

3a. Alternatively I could add an additional 2 t5 tubes to the setup. PLace them on the tank rim, so it would give me a 6 tube setup, any good?

b. but the 2 tubes would be lower, closer to the water surface then the unit. any issues or try and stick them to the unit so all light the same height?

c.I could place both tubes at the front or one at the front and back of the unit? which would be best (4 tubes led 2 tubes Vs. 3 tubes led 3 tubes)

4. Also wondering, I used to run my t5 tubes around 4" above water level, however now I have a hybrid unit the t5 tubes are around 8" above water level useless having them that high above water level?


any suggestions or help guys.???


Besides the flaws I mentioned the light units are built well and look good. Just wish LED was plug n play like t5 is.... would love some advice and feedback to increase growth

 

[horseplay]

4 bulbs is not going to work over a 30" tank. However under the light growth should be fine. I run 4 bulbs over 24" front to back tank. Have no problem with growth anywhere in the tank and some corals growing like nuts. I run 100% LED at peak and T5 100% for 7 hours. I could use more lights but I am fine the way it is as well. Give it some time and slowly ramp up LED you should be fine just not at the edges.

 

[Kengar]

after some help and advice guys.....been running these lights for 2 months now...suprisingly underwhelmed.

They have no wireless controlls, no manual bypas on/off and they cannot keep hold of the time....anyways my real issue is growth, or lack off.

re not holding time when power cycles, i thought that was fixed, per my previous post. Or is it just that they units hold the program, so you don't need to reprogram lighting profile, but still go back to 00:00:00????

If it's the latter, what crap!

 

[gex23]

I've not once had an issue of the clock resetting - even with a power outage of a few hours.....

 

[Kengar]

did you have to have the units plugged in for several days to charge battery????
that is what the tech supp guy at ati n.a. told me two or three days ago. he said he's not an engineering but thinks it's a capacitor in there to hold charge. But even if it's a capacitor, I would think that it doesn't work as a step function, where it has to be charged to level X before it is able to begin discharging when called upon for power. Rather, I would think the discharge decay rate would just be quicker.......
Sounds to me like I need to send the power blox back......

 

[horseplay]

It holds the program but not the time. My $10 timer has a better and will not lose time for months. But I still love the fixture and the minor inconvenience is not a big deal, unless of course, you lose power on a daily basis.

 

[JPMagyar]

1. my question is will my growth rate/alk demand increase or is it likely that this would probably be the most I can expect.

2. Do you guys suggest I increase the led power?

3a. Alternatively I could add an additional 2 t5 tubes to the setup. PLace them on the tank rim, so it would give me a 6 tube setup, any good?

b. but the 2 tubes would be lower, closer to the water surface then the unit. any issues or try and stick them to the unit so all light the same height?

c.I could place both tubes at the front or one at the front and back of the unit? which would be best (4 tubes led 2 tubes Vs. 3 tubes led 3 tubes)

4. Also wondering, I used to run my t5 tubes around 4" above water level, however now I have a hybrid unit the t5 tubes are around 8" above water level useless having them that high above water level?


any suggestions or help guys.???

1) Yes.
2) No turn them off.
3) Yes. More T5 or MH light = more growth
4) 10 to 18 cm (5 to 8 inches) is ideal based on other successful tanks.


If it's growth you want LEDs are not the answer. This sequence of photos is all you need to see to realize light is the answer and lots of it. MH provides the most intense broad spectrum around. T5s are second, but you need lots of them and you need to keep them low in a shallow tank.

LEDs will not make a "lick" of difference.

Turn the LEDs off except for dawn/dusk. Keep your alkalinity at 8+ Kh and keep your Nitrate and Phosphate as close to zero as you can. If you do that your growth will sky rocket.

 

[JPMagyar]

Now for a minor rant . . .

First I want to emphasize that I love my ATI Powermodule, but I definitely see room for vast improvement and that is the point of this rant.

1) How can they not have a forum on RC? That is incredulous and a testament to the German hubris. Wirklich ATI warum nicht? Sind die Amerikanische Leute so schlect?

2) My main rant . . . my splash cover sometimes comes out of the tracks and has even fallen on my tank splashing the light and breaking some coral tips. The tolerance is not acceptable, and this goes to the same issue of sagging which was solved with a screw that doesn't line up and is sometime difficult to put in.

3) It doesn't hold time when I have a power outage. Really?? That is incredible.

4) No wireless capability. $2000 for a light and you can't engineer a $20 wifi connection into the box? Really?

Alright rant over.

Love my light

 

[vikz]

1) Yes.
2) No turn them off.
3) Yes. More T5 or MH light = more growth
4) 10 to 18 cm (5 to 8 inches) is ideal based on other successful tanks.


If it's growth you want LEDs are not the answer. This sequence of photos is all you need to see to realize light is the answer and lots of it. MH provides the most intense broad spectrum around. T5s are second, but you need lots of them and you need to keep them low in a shallow tank.

]

Hi could you further explain as you seem to contradict yourself.

Adding more light will increase growth, but on the same token you say switch off led, which will reduce light.

Also is t5 8" above a 30" deep tank pointless?

You have a truly beautiful reef envious.
Confused

 

[bucfan]

1) How can they not have a forum on RC? That is incredulous and a testament to the German hubris. Wirklich ATI warum nicht? Sind die Amerikanische Leute so schlect?

2) My main rant . . . my splash cover sometimes comes out of the tracks and has even fallen on my tank splashing the light and breaking some coral tips. The tolerance is not acceptable, and this goes to the same issue of sagging which was solved with a screw that doesn't line up and is sometime difficult to put in.

3) It doesn't hold time when I have a power outage. Really?? That is incredible.

4) No wireless capability. $2000 for a light and you can't engineer a $20 wifi connection into the box? Really?


Love my light

With you on 3 and 4. I have the newer version so 2 is not an issue with the additional screw I guess. My lights been up and running 1 year now and I can confirm great growth with this light too. As you stated stability is key especially with SPS. Over how many years did you take those growth pictures? Beautiful tank. I'm sure you have to keep up with a lot of pruning as I do here.

 

[Logzor]

Now for a minor rant . . .

First I want to emphasize that I love my ATI Powermodule, but I definitely see room for vast improvement and that is the point of this rant.

1) How can they not have a forum on RC? That is incredulous and a testament to the German hubris. Wirklich ATI warum nicht? Sind die Amerikanische Leute so schlect?

2) My main rant . . . my splash cover sometimes comes out of the tracks and has even fallen on my tank splashing the light and breaking some coral tips. The tolerance is not acceptable, and this goes to the same issue of sagging which was solved with a screw that doesn't line up and is sometime difficult to put in.

3) It doesn't hold time when I have a power outage. Really?? That is incredible.

4) No wireless capability. $2000 for a light and you can't engineer a $20 wifi connection into the box? Really?

Alright rant over.

Love my light

Agreed, my splash cover will not fall out once installed, but trying to slide it into place is a bear and typically involves lots of cursing.

Perhaps they will make an Apex cable and solve the connectivity problem. Having to lug my laptop next to the aquarium every time I want to adjust the schedule is a bit tedious, but not a deal breaker.

 

[ClownsRCoo]

Mine holds the time fine. I kill the power while I change the bulbs and once I start it back up the program and time work fine.

 

[Logzor]

Mine holds the time fine. I kill the power while I change the bulbs and once I start it back up the program and time work fine.

Interesting, I'll have to test mine.

 

[Logzor]

Now for a minor rant . . .

First I want to emphasize that I love my ATI Powermodule, but I definitely see room for vast improvement and that is the point of this rant.

1) How can they not have a forum on RC? That is incredulous and a testament to the German hubris. Wirklich ATI warum nicht? Sind die Amerikanische Leute so schlect?

2) My main rant . . . my splash cover sometimes comes out of the tracks and has even fallen on my tank splashing the light and breaking some coral tips. The tolerance is not acceptable, and this goes to the same issue of sagging which was solved with a screw that doesn't line up and is sometime difficult to put in.

3) It doesn't hold time when I have a power outage. Really?? That is incredible.

4) No wireless capability. $2000 for a light and you can't engineer a $20 wifi connection into the box? Really?

Alright rant over.

Love my light

What bulb combo do you currently run? I've came to the same conclusion relative to LED intensity during peak T5 intensity...nothing but trouble. I've set my LEDs extremely low during the peak T5's but I have them ramp up to 35%, mostly blues, when the T5's are off.

Some folks have had good success with LEDs only, such as some Radion users. I have considered experimenting with only one set of T5's on and cranking up the LEDs higher. Seems really difficult to dial in the LEDs without frying my corals.