ATI Powermodule?

[Neoz]

I am leaning towards T5 lighting for my 90 gallon. Why, not really sure as I want to just experiment with different lighting. But I'm really interested in the ATI powermodule units. Was wondering if anyone here is using them?

I'm looking at the 48" fixture but wondering what some of the benefits are between an 8 bulb or 10 bulb fixture other then just price :spin2:

 

[pascal32]

As usual, I preface by saying that I'm a newb - I've been having great success with T5s and SPS. I had a browned out Acro that is coloring up nicely - just started sprouting blue tips all over and is starting to grow like a weed.

individualized reflectors are a must - take the Nova Extreme fixture which I have - good to about 20-24" - The ATI I've heard can punch 30" deep. I gather it must be reflector quality in addition to well designed cooling that gets ridiculous penetration.

With my Nova Extreme dual fan 6 light (with an additional 2 lights behind it) I have a happy clam in the sandbed of my 120 (24" deep)

I have a small collection of T5 bulbs here I used to get a nice 14K - if you are ever in Syracuse check it out!

I learned what little I know from the Grim Reefer Thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1706461

 

[Neoz]

Blurry I plan to meet up with Mel, Lizz, and a few others from Rochester tomorrow in Syracuse. Are you available for a visit?

PS Thanks for the link...

 

[pascal32]

yeah - I'm already on the tour my little girl has a dance recital. the closer to 1pm you get here the more time we will have.

 

[Neoz]

Pm coming

 

[Johnny C]

You can't go wrong with an ATI PM, it's regarded as being the best T5 fixture on the market and produces a lot more PAR then Teks and Novas.

IMO you don't need anything more than a six bulb unless you plan to go full-blown SPS- with 8-10 bulbs you will have issues keeping LPS happy.

I don't own a Powermodule yet (saving my pennies!) but Kase has one and hopefully he can chime in too.

 

[kase]

Yeah i don't recommend this fixture unless you are strictly going sps. It is way too much light for lps and will bleach your corals if not careful.

 

[Neoz]

I plan on having a mix reef. Plan on having alot of Zoas and Palys down low and SPS up higher. Kase are you saying don't get the powermodule fixture or don't get the 8 or 10 bulb one? How about the 6 bulb as John has suggested?

 

[pascal32]

Kase might be hinting at the surprising amount of lights T5 can out out. When I first put them on I bleached all my SPS with a 6 light fixture over a 72 - top it off some of the light bulbs were shot. Keep in mind I have a Nova Extreme which is a middle of the road performer (ATI being top)

T5 lighting is surprisingly bright. I'm still tinkering, but the frag tank has excellent color and growth. I've got great growth. next focus is the lighting on the display.

 

[Gravesj1s]

I own a 4 bulb power module.Its over a 72 bowfront and have bleached some things.The tank is 24"deep and fixture is 6" above the surface.

I have bleached a few things not being careful.A setosa whitch I keep lower third bleached when I moved it half way up.
Yumas,blastos and acans have to be shaded Ive found.
I purchased a maxima that looked dark blue when I got it 7 months ago its colored up to a skyblue since.One of my favorite pieces.

The maxima has always been kept on the bottom substrate and shows good growth and color.

 

[kase]

If you are strictly going Sps then i highly recommended because there are so many lighting combo you can go with. If you still decide to get it and have zoas and lps just use eggcrate to acclimate the corals slowly and just be very careful. It only takes one or two days for corals to bleach, but takes months for them to color up again. Sometimes they will bleach and just die too. You could looking into some of the Tek lights they don't give out as much light. I have Tek light for my mix reef and it does just as good of a job as the Power Module.

 

[Neoz]

Kase what Tek light would you recommend I start looking at for a mixed 90 reef tank? I will be having a lot of Zoas and Palys but plan on having SPS higher up on the rock work.

 

[toddmh]

I have 6 48" t5's on my 120..To tell the truth it's way to much light for most lps (with the bulb combo I have in now) that is the awesome thing about getting a couple fixtures you can control independent,more light when you need it and less when you dont..

also with 6-8 bulbs,the type of light you want is pretty limitless,but anything over 8 bulbs on a 90 is real overkill..

 

[kase]

You can get a 6 bulb tek fixture that should suffice your need. You can always move the light closer if you want more light. All my lps and sps are doing great under a 4 bulb fixture and it about 2 foot off the surface. You might still want to acclimate your corals slowly even with the tek fixture. I have bleached sps that are light lovers with the 4 bulb tek i have. T5 are small bulbs with a big punch if you know what i mean.

 

[Neoz]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I think I'll be ordering a 6 bulb Tek tomorrow.