T5 coverage over a wide tank

[sharky71]

How many bulbs would you recommend to cover a 24 inch wide tank? Would 6 be enough or should I go with more? I'm narrowing my choices down to the ATI PM (6 or 8 bulbs)and the Aquactinic Constellation (7 bulbs). I plan on keeping both SPS, clams and LPS.

 

[divewsharks]

I would go with 8 bulbs over 24". Can't go wrong with either fixtures, I have an ATI Sunpower and love it.

 

[DCartagena]

Go with 8 bulbs my cousin has 8 48" T-5s ATI over his 120G Oceanic Tank looks awesome

 

[zlwags85]

I would go with 8 as well. I have a 30" wide and use 10 and it seems like it will be about perfect.

 

[minhvu]

Definitly 8. I'm doing a 150gal, 24''wide with 10 bulbs

 

[sharky71]

ATI doesn't make an 8 bulb Sunpower? I wonder if they plan to in the future. Otherwise, I have to fork over the big bucks for the PowerModule.

 

[divewsharks]

No its only 6, you would need to go PM. The PM is a very nice fixture, you shouldn't be dissappointed with it (should you go that route).

 

[redfishsc]

If you have a canopy or can build one, I'd suggest using regular high-output IceCap retros. Reefgeek offers non-overdriven Icecap retros (non-Icecap ballasts w/Icecap reflectors).

 

[James77]

The 8-bulb Powermodule will give you full coverage over a 24" tank. The PM is a better fixture overall than the Constellation in terms of performance, noise, build quality, and looks.

You could do a 6-bulb raised a bit higher if you were a little heavier on the LPS- but you'd also lose out on the extra bulb combos.

 

[jamierk]

Would a 6 bulb ATI Sunpower provide enough width/penetration for growing SPS frags/colonies in a 2'x14"(Height)x20"(width) tank?

 

[divewsharks]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14840328#post14840328 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jamierk
Would a 6 bulb ATI Sunpower provide enough width/penetration for growing SPS frags/colonies in a 2'x14"(Height)x20"(width) tank?

Yes, at only 14" tall you may want to keep the fixture a little higher than normal and acclimate the corals to the light.

 

[jamierk]

Thanks mate, what height above water surface would be appropriate?

 

[stadler51]

Where can you order the ATI Sunpower from?

 

[sharky71]

Reefgeek is selling them. Give them a call. They don't have them up on their website yet.

 

[divewsharks]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14840602#post14840602 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jamierk
Thanks mate, what height above water surface would be appropriate?

you'd probably want to be somewhere in the 6-10" range, starting on the high side, and working down.