hi i want to make my decision on what fixture to get, it will be for a 130 tank 30in deep, reef tank, i am on the waiting list for a ATI power modul 6 bulb 48 in fixture, and i am looking at the 6 bulb solar flair fixture that i can get now!any sugestions, i want a quality fixture, and i am trying to stay away from MH bulbs, please help me make up my mind!!!!
help! ATI power modul or solar flare fixture
- Thread starter keihin39
- Start date
steve the plumb
In Memoriam
I am getting 2 x48 powermodules for my 8 ft tank.The 8 bulb unit
Dwarf Seahorses
New member
If you're considering T5 I'd skip on both the ATI and the solar flare. I'd get those new Sfiligoi stealth fixtures. You can get 8, 10 or 12 lamps on the standard fixtures, or you can get 8 or 10 T5's with two 150 or 250 MH fixtures.
They have active cooling (huge plus) and use very high quality reflectors and ballasts.
They have active cooling (huge plus) and use very high quality reflectors and ballasts.
steve the plumb
In Memoriam
the ATI has active cooling.The sfiligoi 12 bulb unit is around$1500
Henry Bowman
Reefing since '87
The solar flare also has active cooling and is about half the price. Built well and works great !
keihin39,
If you can wait it out, go for the ATI, especially since it sounds like that's what you really want anyway. If it will fit your tank, go for the 8-bulb fixture. Don't settle for something else just because you can get it now. I am on the waiting list for two 59w x 8 fixtures. I think the Aquatinic Solar Flare is awesome and probably would have gone that route if they were available in a 36" model or a 72" for that matter. Then again, I have a few issues about overdriving T5 bulbs.
Luis
If you can wait it out, go for the ATI, especially since it sounds like that's what you really want anyway. If it will fit your tank, go for the 8-bulb fixture. Don't settle for something else just because you can get it now. I am on the waiting list for two 59w x 8 fixtures. I think the Aquatinic Solar Flare is awesome and probably would have gone that route if they were available in a 36" model or a 72" for that matter. Then again, I have a few issues about overdriving T5 bulbs.
Luis
Henry Bowman
Reefing since '87
Tagareef. Just curious. What is the concern with overdriving lamps other than a shorter bulb life?
sugartooth
Reef bully
I just purchased the solar flare and will arrive next week. Sounds like a great unit and have always wanted to give it a try, but what I like is Ice Cap name in it for peace of mind.
I have had to deal with Ice Cap previously regarding a ballast I got wet and they were quick and professional with the process of sending it in and fixing it.
I don't know much about ATI, but sounds like a good choice too. Good luck!
I have had to deal with Ice Cap previously regarding a ballast I got wet and they were quick and professional with the process of sending it in and fixing it.
I don't know much about ATI, but sounds like a good choice too. Good luck!
but i think both fixtures are high quality units, so i just do not no
sugartooth
Reef bully
Yes, I agree a hard decision. Really Ice Cap has my business always just because they are very customer friendly and I don't worry about dealing with them.
Henry,
Yeah, shorter bulb life is the number one reason. Replacing 16 T5 bulbs any sooner than yearly is gonna hurt the budget! Right now to replace my 3 x 250w DE and 2 x 150w DE bulbs it cost around $300. 16 T5's shipped will be more than $400. But then again...how can you tell when your T5's shift and need replacing??
Another concern is heat. Not only applied to the tank but to the rest of the house as well. I've got central AC in my house and a chiller/fans on my reef. I'd like to keep my electrical bill as low as possible. I guess I should throw in electrical consumption as a concern too!
The last concern I have is with the advertised specs of the T5 bulbs. These bulbs weren't designed to be overdriven. So I feel that overdriving them turns them into bulbs of different a spectrum/kelvin. I guess I just don't think it's necessary. I've seen so many other beautiful reef tanks, mostly abroad, that utilize normally driven T5's.
Don't get me wrong, I love Ice Cap products, but in this case it's just not for me.
Luis
