ATI Powermodule

[Todd March]

I hear ya, Tx, I am NO fan of canopies, other than they keep light spill out of the room... That's why I think you might consider the hanging Lumenarc and LumenMax reflectors/pendants. The best looking ready to hang pendant is probably the Lumenarc. But with 2 x 400Wer's, don't forget about the heat issues...!

 

[TXReefer21]

Well i have mad up my mind its includes nothing in this whole thread LOL Ive decided to try the aqua illumanation LEd system with a profilux controller and see what happens. I know there are alot of people out there who dont like LED but im a sucker for LED and when i saw what the unit could do with the profilux i knew i had to have it. It will take me a little longer to get it and yes its WAY more money but no bulb changes and i can change the color and brightness to my liking and thunderstorm lightning cloud cover everything you could think of.

 

[Todd March]

Wow, Tx, bold choice! But I think for LPS that LED is good sound choice. I've seen the Aqua Illumination units at ReefGeek's booth at shows, and it's nice. And I agree, on the Profilux, it's very, very cool... The stormy day and lighting options are A W E S O M E...!

How are you going to mount them? I know the spread from LED is pretty narrow...?

 

[TXReefer21]

The led is a bold choice but I think it is the best. I've never used one or seen one so I don't know what the spread is on them. The 72" version comes with 6 units and I don't know if it will give enough spread with the width of the tank I thought about taking the unit and putting the units in a cap an retroing three across the length of the tank and then the other three across the length behind that to give me the spread I need. Since you have seen the unit maybe you can give me some ideas?

TX

 

[Todd March]

You need to talk to Greg at reefgeek, TX, he's the real expert. Give him a call, he's great about service and talking things through...

BUT, I do know that LED's have limited spread (their light tends to go straight down and does not travel out as well as with other point light sources), and one unit can just handle about 24", and that's it. What I think the best game plan for the Aqua Illumination units and a wide tank like yours is to get two 36" units, and then mount them going front to back, across the width of the tank. At 24" spread each, that would cover the 48" length of the tank just fine. Or if you wanted to be really covered, which I don't know is even necessary, you could get two 48" units and mount them traditionally lengthwise. They would be covering only 18" each, so you are assured of GREAT coverage (at rather higher price too). It really depends on your rock layout and how crowded, or modern and open, you plan on the tank being. I really do like the idea (and the lower cost) of having two 36" units and mounting them parallel over the width of the tank...

Talk to Greg (tell him Todd said Hi) and see what he thinks...

 

[TXReefer21]

Yeah the two 36 in unit would work if i didnt have two center braces so i would really have to use three to get even light coverage or could possibl do a 72 and mount them in the canopy like this - - -
- - - and then if its not enough light i could add more later or add the dimmable T5 to go with it. I will talk to reef geek and see what he says aswell.

Thanks,
NAthan

 

[jefft321]

Sorry to Hijack the thread but I noticed that you were commenting about the ATI Powermodule on your Thread. I just ordered the ELOS 120XL and I was wondering if I should order the 10 X 54 watt powermodule or the 8 X 54 watt powermodule? The tank is 48" X 30" X 20" High. I want to keep mostly SPS and some LPS and Chalices.
Thanks for the info. - Jeff

 

[TXReefer21]

Your tank is shallow so i would do the 8 bulb unit im not sure on the bulb combo to use i would probably ask in the T5 Q/A thread.

TX

 

[Todd March]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14460711#post14460711 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jefft321
Sorry to Hijack the thread but I noticed that you were commenting about the ATI Powermodule on your Thread. I just ordered the ELOS 120XL and I was wondering if I should order the 10 X 54 watt powermodule or the 8 X 54 watt powermodule? The tank is 48" X 30" X 20" High. I want to keep mostly SPS and some LPS and Chalices.
Thanks for the info. - Jeff

Jeff, for 30" I would go with the 10 bulb model, unless you plan on a decent amount of LPS or zoas, then you might go with the 8 bulb, center it more toward the back, and keep more LPS near the front with less light... But since you mentioned a focus on SPS, really the 10 bulb fixture is your best bet. Will give a bigger selection of spectrum to play with too...

I keep one chalice so far, Bazooka Joe, about 8" up from the bottom. It was a tiny one eye frag, but in a couple of months has several eyes now and is growing well, so your LPS and chalices can do well too (though I run very fewâ€"only 2â€"white, Aquablue Specialâ€"bulbs in my array).

 

[TXReefer21]

After talking to reefgeek (he is fast with replies) and aqua illumination it would cost around 7k to light my tank and as cool as the lights are the cost doesn't justify the electric savings. So i am back to square one LOL but i think my finale plan will be a combo of T5 and halide just because it is proven to work i will still get a profilux and maybe dimable t5 and a light stick to have some of the control i would have had with the LED unit.

TX

 

[Todd March]

Yeah, that's pricey...! I recommend you look into two high end halide T5 fixtures:


PHOTON PLUS: This is a great fixture as it gives you LOTS of T5's, and you can have the halides just as you wantâ€"single ended or double ended...


GIESEMANN SPECTRA: Single ended halides (but the best bulbs are single endede!) Only comes with 4 T5's, but nice halide reflectors (particularly for the 400W models) and is probably the sexiest fixture around.