Ati t5

[Valentini89]

Hey folks.. I'm considering an ATI sunpower T5 unit for my next tank, which will be 150-200g. Does anyone know where I can get this unit from for under $750? I've been checking out the 8-bulb version. Or is there something comparable or better than the ATI sunpower for less $$? I'm also open to comparable LEDs as well. I have the orbit Marine pro on my tank now. I should mention I have no experience with T5's.

 

[Yolly416]

Good luck ATI not cheap


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[hegeh]

Ati.. worth the price. Go for it if you are going for sps dominant tank.. look out for used unit

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

 

[DivingTheWorld]

ATIs are MAP priced so your only way of getting it for less is to look for a sale (ex. Black Friday). Or used. Otherwise, you can always try paying cash at a local dealer or something. I did a lot of research before I bought mine. The only comparable was Giesemann, but they're more expensive and ATI seemed to be higher rated.

 

[Keith@ ATI NA]

We do have some factory seconds listed over on "the other forum". If you have any specific questions I can help with let me know!

 

[mcgyvr]

We do have some factory seconds listed over on "the other forum". If you have any specific questions I can help with let me know!

Aren't the rules of this forum wonderful....not...

Great2Great deals you have there


Valentini89
While I gladly pay money for an ATI fixture (and did a few months ago and am VERY..VERY happy with the price/quality,etc.. and wouldn't do it any other way)...
You might want to check out these "value priced" fixtures that many are fairly happy about..
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/48-sun-blaze-t5-ho-lighting-fixture-sunlight-supply.html
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/sun-blaze-t5-ho-lighting-fixture-sunlight-supply.html

 

[Keith@ ATI NA]

Aren't the rules of this forum wonderful....not...

Great2Great deals you have there


Valentini89
While I gladly pay money for an ATI fixture (and did a few months ago and am VERY..VERY happy with the price/quality,etc.. and wouldn't do it any other way)...
You might want to check out these "value priced" fixtures that many are fairly happy about..
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/48-sun-blaze-t5-ho-lighting-fixture-sunlight-supply.html
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/sun-blaze-t5-ho-lighting-fixture-sunlight-supply.html

I actually just did a comparison vs these lights on the other forum. Here is what I thought you should know:


Our reflectors are 95% reflective, Sun Blaze is 85% (at least it was when I worked for Sunlight Supply years ago)
Our fixtures are active cooled. IIRC you lose about ~1% output per 2 degrees above or below 95-98 degrees F
Our fixtures are aluminum, the Sun Blaze and other grow fixtures are steel, which means it will rust (from months to years depending on the salt exposure to the powder coat)
Our fixtures have acrylic splash shields to prevent damage to the reflectors.
Our fixtures have 2 cords (regular Sunpower) so you can control 2 channels with timers

 

[mcgyvr]

I actually just did a comparison vs these lights on the other forum. Here is what I thought you should know:


Our reflectors are 95% reflective, Sun Blaze is 85% (at least it was when I worked for Sunlight Supply years ago)
Our fixtures are active cooled. IIRC you lose about ~1% output per 2 degrees above or below 95-98 degrees F
Our fixtures are aluminum, the Sun Blaze and other grow fixtures are steel, which means it will rust (from months to years depending on the salt exposure to the powder coat)
Our fixtures have acrylic splash shields to prevent damage to the reflectors.
Our fixtures have 2 cords (regular Sunpower) so you can control 2 channels with timers

Good selling points for sure there Keith..

How about differences in ballast types,etc...?

 

[outssider]

you lose about ~1% output per 2 degrees above or below 95-98 degrees F

I run 4 ... 48" ati bulbs in a retro fit in my canopy powered by an ice-cap/coral vue 660 ballast .... all the ends of the bulbs are cooled with fans...the bulbs still run 180 degrees on the label end and 120 degrees on the none label end. they are bright as all get-out. .......according to your formula, they should be barely lit !!!


they last easily 9 months....

 

[jda]

They are well built. I would buy a used unit in a heartbeat. That might meet your cost requirements.

 

[ReefCowboy]

If the talk is T5's, ATI takes the crown, period. If hou are considering that type of lighting, dont waste your time, save more and get a sunpower.

 

[zsuman101]

yep i switched back from radions and put a dimmable sunpower over my sps reef. but i still like my frag tank better, its lit with mh radium. but the t5 tank is a very close 2nd. and the boys are right get an ati fixture, they are worth the dough, very well made..... zsu

 

[royy13]

I run 4 ... 48" ati bulbs in a retro fit in my canopy powered by an ice-cap/coral vue 660 ballast .... all the ends of the bulbs are cooled with fans...the bulbs still run 180 degrees on the label end and 120 degrees on the none label end. they are bright as all get-out. .......according to your formula, they should be barely lit !!!


they last easily 9 months....

If I'm not mistaken, the icecap 660 overdrives t5 bulbs. That may have something to do with your high temps.

 

[mgraf]

ATI is. Very well made fixture, however, any fan cooled, individual reflected T5 fixture will do you quite well.

 

[outssider]

If I'm not mistaken, the icecap 660 overdrives t5 bulbs. That may have something to do with your high temps.

yup....I figured that but when a put a kilowatt meter on the plug it shows a draw of 54 watts X 4 or roughly 220 watts... coralvue claims that the 660 drives the bulbs at 80-100 watts.....

 

[Keith@ ATI NA]

I run 4 ... 48" ati bulbs in a retro fit in my canopy powered by an ice-cap/coral vue 660 ballast .... all the ends of the bulbs are cooled with fans...the bulbs still run 180 degrees on the label end and 120 degrees on the none label end. they are bright as all get-out. .......according to your formula, they should be barely lit !!!


they last easily 9 months....

It is the ambient AIR temperature I was referring too, not the bulb temperature itself. Which is what is measured to control the fan speed on the Dimmable Sunpower and LED Powermodule.

 

[Keith@ ATI NA]

Good selling points for sure there Keith..

How about differences in ballast types,etc...?

Sunlight now uses a proprietary ballast in their fixtures. I cannot confirm for certain this is used in their Sunblaze, but I would assume so since it is the least expensive ballast available to them in a very inexpensive fixture. They have an agreement with a manufacture who makes ballasts exclusively for them.

The result; I really have no idea how the ballasts compare since it is not a common ballast easy to research.

 

[mcgyvr]

So moral of the story kids is that like many "more expensive" things out there a ROI (return on investment) is entirely possible based on efficiency/better performance,etc.. of the reflectors/fan cooling,etc...
That ROI period could be quite long but eventually the extra upfront/initial cost will/should be made up over time..

(Like Solar Panels,etc...) ROI time of 20+ years is not uncommon at all with household solar installations..