ATI Sunpower vs. ATI Powermodule

[batchelor2169]

I'm looking for a light fixture for my new 150g (60x24x24) and I'm really interested in getting away from mh and getting into t5's. Can anyone tell me the difference between ATI's Sunpower (8 bulb $669) and Powermodule (8 bulb $1069) at Marine Depot, that is worth the $400 price difference? Thanks for the help.

 

[mrsmithers]

The Powermodule comes with more fans so the bulbs run cooler which gives you better par and bulb life. Also the housing on the PM is a little nicer.They both are great and you will be happy with either.
Also, try Reefgeek.com for the ATI

 

[solitude127]

+1 for reefgeek. From what I've been reading, there's only a 5 - 10% performance gain on a PM. I have both fixtures and the PM is a much nice looking fixture. If this being hung w/o a canopy, the PM has a much better looking fixture. The SP is more industrial looking. There's also a big weight difference because of the material used. The PM is a brushed stainless and the PM is aluminum

 

[BuckeyeTodd]

I couldn't imagine you'd need the extra par from the pm, the regular sunpower is very strong(As strong as 250 MH or more). I have never been even close to being swayed to using the pm, the only way I would spend the extra $$ is if I was running a high end rimless tank and the asthetics were very important. As far as strength of build, I had a sunpower come free from ceiling(I was on a stud, but apparently when I drilled it went right on edge of stud) and swung down and smacked the tank-not even a scratch. So what I'm saying is the extra build quality is just for show, get the sunpower

 

[BuckeyeTodd]

and yes Reefgeek is awesome, I've ordered from them for last two years and anytime anything went wrong their cust service is top notch

 

[chimmike]

LOVE my sunpower. Didn't trust my drywall so I drilled small holes thru it, got up in the attic and spanned studs with a 2x4 which I drilled for the hangar for the SP.

Excellent fixture, very nice build quality. Only thing that bugs me is the acrylic cover bows a little bit, but hey, I'm picky on that.

 

[rkaires]

+1 for reefgeek. From what I've been reading, there's only a 5 - 10% performance gain on a PM. I have both fixtures and the PM is a much nice looking fixture. If this being hung w/o a canopy, the PM has a much better looking fixture. The SP is more industrial looking. There's also a big weight difference because of the material used. The PM is a brushed stainless and the PM is aluminum

I agree. I have both as well and prefer the Sunpower because of it's lighter weight. Personally, I like the looks of the Sunpower.

 

[Allmost]

I was told PM also uses much better parts like wiring and blasts and ... (that is what I had ISsues iwth on my last fixture)

so I went ahead and ordered a PM last night .... but seems like only the housing is different :S ... oh well..

anyone have any Idea how much a PM 8 bulb 5 feet would weight about ?

 

[chimmike]

I'm fairly certain they use the same everything from ballast to reflectors. Difference is I think the PM has more fans and different construction with different switches.

 

[Allmost]

I'm fairly certain they use the same everything from ballast to reflectors. Difference is I think the PM has more fans and different construction with different switches.

yea you are right, that seems to be the only difference ... guess they just wanted to sell me the expensive ones lol

the extra fans so help with the life of the bulb though ... gotta look at the positive side

 

[solitude127]

I was told PM also uses much better parts like wiring and blasts and ... (that is what I had ISsues iwth on my last fixture)

so I went ahead and ordered a PM last night .... but seems like only the housing is different :S ... oh well..

anyone have any Idea how much a PM 8 bulb 5 feet would weight about ?

I have an 8 bulb 4 ft fixture and that weighs about 40lbs.

 

[rtparty]

The extra fans won't necessarily help with bulb life. It is all about temperature, not amount of fans.

Even on an 8 bulb Sunpower, the fans can cool everything enough. You might have to turn them up higher compared to an 8 bulb PM but in the end they are accomplishing the exact same thing.

I loved the look of my Sunpower and it was A LOT lighter than a PM.

With the new 8 bulb Sunpowers out, I would get ready for an all new PM here in 2011.

 

[DustinB]

I believe when premiumaquatics did their testing the powermodule only produced 2% more par than the sunpower. Aside from the extra fan the, the power module uses extruded aluminum instead of sheet aluminum.

I have seen both fixtures and they both look good. I couldn't justify the $400 price difference when I bought my sunpower. My 6x54w is just as powerful as my dual 250w MH with icecap ballasts and giesseman 14k bulbs.

 

[solitude127]

Aside from the extra fan the, the power module uses extruded aluminum instead of sheet aluminum.
.

If they're both aluminum, why does the PM weigh so much more?

 

[DustinB]

It's thicker extruded aluminum. The sunpower is aluminum sheet metal bent to shape.

 

[Allmost]

I have an 8 bulb 4 ft fixture and that weighs about 40lbs.

Thank you so about 50-60 lbs , now I can look into a motor to hang it.

 

[Allmost]

The extra fans won't necessarily help with bulb life. It is all about temperature, not amount of fans.

more fan = cooler

cooler is a temp, so it does help with the life of bulbs ....

Even on an 8 bulb Sunpower, the fans can cool everything enough. You might have to turn them up higher compared to an 8 bulb PM but in the end they are accomplishing the exact same thing.

what is enough ? turn what higher ? number of fans ? lol

anyways that was unlogical ..

 

[Allmost]

It's thicker extruded aluminum. The sunpower is aluminum sheet metal bent to shape.

Dustin, PM is stainless steel while SP is aluminum ....

PM description : "Silver colored, stainless steel body is durable and rust-proof. Runs very cool and produces virtually no noise."

 

[chimmike]

or as the brits say: Al-um-inieum

 

[BuckeyeTodd]

more fan = cooler

cooler is a temp, so it does help with the life of bulbs ....



what is enough ? turn what higher ? number of fans ? lol

anyways that was unlogical ..

The fans come with different speeds, so he was saying that you would need to run the sunpower with fewer fans at a higher speed but they both achieve the same goal of cooling the bulbs