ATI Sunpower vs. ATI Powermodule

[DustinB]

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."

Thanks for catching that, I could have sworn they were both aluminum. I guess that's where the severe weight difference comes from.

 

[NYCBOB]

i have the 6x54w sunpower, and i am loving it. make sure u hv a place to hang it.

 

[batchelor2169]

Thank you everyone for all the great info! You've made my decision so easy to make. 8 bulb Sunpower it is, and I will definitely check out Reef Geek.

 

[GPB]

Hope people are still monitoring this thread. I need a new fixture to replace a Coralife 150MH /2x65w PC. It's shot.

I'm trying to get a quality fixture without breaking the bank. I'd really love to try LED, but at 600 bucks I'd have trouble explaing it to my wife.

I'm thinking about the Sunpower or the Powermodule. The tank is 24X 21deep. It's an Oceanic 37G.

I have LPS and SPS.

Is the 4x bulb ATI adequate or should I go to the 6. If I go to the six I would have to get the sunpower as the power module would be out of financial range. The question is , go for the better housing and cooling or go with more bulbs?

 

[chimmike]

sunpower is more than sufficient, IMO.

 

[yoccm]

This thread has been helpful. I am considering a 72l x 36w x 26h tank. I don't think the 10 build 60" PM is wide enough. Now I am thinking I can hang 2 of the 6 build sunpowers side by side to get the right coverage.

 

[yoccm]

BTW - this will be an in wall build so aesthetics is NOT an issue. Seems like that is one of the biggest differences between PM and Sunpower. Is there much of a difference using 54w on the Sunpower vs the 80w on the PM? Will the PAR be much different?

 

[DustinB]

I don't think the PAR is very different, mainly just the length. As for the subject of aesthetics, I think my sunpower looks great.

 

[solitude127]

This thread has been helpful. I am considering a 72l x 36w x 26h tank. I don't think the 10 build 60" PM is wide enough. Now I am thinking I can hang 2 of the 6 build sunpowers side by side to get the right coverage.

It depends on what type of aquascaping you're planning. If you plan to keep rock 3 - 4" off the glass all the way around, then essentially you're only trying to light 28 - 30" front to back. I have a 8 x 54 over my 30" wide tank but I have my rocks about 4" off the glass all the way around.

 

[yoccm]

It depends on what type of aquascaping you're planning. If you plan to keep rock 3 - 4" off the glass all the way around, then essentially you're only trying to light 28 - 30" front to back. I have a 8 x 54 over my 30" wide tank but I have my rocks about 4" off the glass all the way around.

Great point. One of the main reasons I want a wider tank is to leave some nice negative space along the walls. I plan to have at least 4 inches between glass and any rock.

 

[yoccm]

I don't think the PAR is very different, mainly just the length. As for the subject of aesthetics, I think my sunpower looks great.

Hey Dustin -sorry, no offense intended. Sun power does look nice. I hear many people comment that PM looks more sleek. Can't complain for the price difference!

 

[AugustWest]

I recently had to decide between these 2 fixtures also. Ended up going with the 8x24W Sunpower. Awesome looking ! I can't imagine the powermodule looking much better. And
I saved $200 to spend on something else.

 

[solitude127]

I recently had to decide between these 2 fixtures also. Ended up going with the 8x24W Sunpower. Awesome looking ! I can't imagine the powermodule looking much better. And
I saved $200 to spend on something else.

Oh trust me, the PM is much better looking. I have both fixtures and I'm very happy with both but IMO the PM is very sexy

 

[DustinB]

I've seen both and the PM doesn't look $400 better for sure, IMO anyway.

 

[yoccm]

I've seen both and the PM doesn't look $400 better for sure, IMO anyway.

Totally agree! Especially since this is an in wall build - no one will see the fixture anyway. Biggest difference to me is the better cooling system on the PM but from what everyone is saying that really isn't a significant difference in performance.

 

[DustinB]

When running the fans at 9v like it says on the box instead of the 4.5v it says in the manual, my fixtures are cool to the touch.

 

[NyReefNoob]

ive owned both the sunpower and currently have the powermodule, the reflectors are a little bigger on the pm then the sp, definately not built the same as stated it was a die cast cut aluminum block compared to folded metal, both look good and wouldnt really be much differance if hung over a rimless tank. i like my products built though and the sunpower is more flimsey then the pm. both use junk single core wiring though. when ballast went out on pm i replaced all the wiring with braided wire which has a better conductivity.
if i was to buy new id go with the new tek elite, has 98% reflectors also and now has the fans, and buy extra bulbs and still have $ left in my pocket

 

[solitude127]

I've seen both and the PM doesn't look $400 better for sure, IMO anyway.

Different strokes for different folks. Either way, both are great fixtures.

 

[yoccm]

When running the fans at 9v like it says on the box instead of the 4.5v it says in the manual, my fixtures are cool to the touch.

I didn't know you could switch the fans like that - makes a lot of sense that youmwould want to run more juice to them to keep the unit cooler.

 

[yoccm]

ive owned both the sunpower and currently have the powermodule, the reflectors are a little bigger on the pm then the sp, definately not built the same as stated it was a die cast cut aluminum block compared to folded metal, both look good and wouldnt really be much differance if hung over a rimless tank. i like my products built though and the sunpower is more flimsey then the pm. both use junk single core wiring though. when ballast went out on pm i replaced all the wiring with braided wire which has a better conductivity.
if i was to buy new id go with the new tek elite, has 98% reflectors also and now has the fans, and buy extra bulbs and still have $ left in my pocket

Interesting - I have not looked at the TEK units so am not familiar with the new elite version. Sounds like the biggest advantage with ATI was the quality of the reflectors. If these are now comparable but with lower price point they may be worth considering.