Saltwatercoral2
New member
I've used both, They both did what was needed, but I would much rather have the ATI over the tek.
TEK or ATI
- Thread starter jones02
- Start date
karsseboom
New member
Yep owned an ati 6 bulb sunpower, had it over a 90 gallon. Was plenty of par to grow nice sps. If I had to do it all over again would have went with the 8 bulb. I'm not trying to get all personal with you guys, so just leave it on topic. Why tell people to get a light that may just fine when theres a light that will rock his tank with nice
Colors and growth.
Colors and growth.
James77
Team RC
That is really quite funny coming from you. Go read over your posts on the subject. Just a quick search brought a recent thread where you were basically blasting someone for just asking for opinions on Vortechs.
Can we stop the bickering here? For God's sake...everyone knows more about lights than me. There - p-ing contest over.
And for the record, I didn't get the ATI for any ONE person's opinion - I did a ton of research and read all of your opinions. I would be fine with Tek, but the $40 price difference for what you folks tell me is possibly up to a 25% better output makes the ATI well worth it. So thank you everyone for your input and suggestions; you were all a big help in what was a very expensive purchase.
And for the record, I didn't get the ATI for any ONE person's opinion - I did a ton of research and read all of your opinions. I would be fine with Tek, but the $40 price difference for what you folks tell me is possibly up to a 25% better output makes the ATI well worth it. So thank you everyone for your input and suggestions; you were all a big help in what was a very expensive purchase.
James77
Team RC
ATIs, both sunpower and powermodule are great fixtures. Teks are very good fixtures that can and will grow SPS coral like mad. Their one downside is lack of fans, which knocks about 30% PAR off the bulbs. Still a great fixture, and could give an ATI a good run for its money with a tiny little fan blowing across the bulbs. I have used one on a mixed reef tank and planted tank. The most PAR possible does not equal a great tank, there is far more to a SPS tank than lights.
James77
Team RC
Others do read these threads, and it is good to have facts about them rather than the usual BIGGER IS BETTER nonsense.
Enjoy the light, the ATIs are great
Got my lamp yesterday and hung it last night. Was relatively easy to hang despite the complete lack of instructions that came with it.
Lamps - back to front:
Blue+
Purple+
Aquablue Special
Aquablue Special
Blue+
Blue+
It's a little bright on the white side and I'm thinking of taking one of the AB Specials out in favor of an actinic I had in my old light that is relatively new.
Lamps - back to front:
Blue+
Purple+
Aquablue Special
Aquablue Special
Blue+
Blue+
It's a little bright on the white side and I'm thinking of taking one of the AB Specials out in favor of an actinic I had in my old light that is relatively new.
Attachments
The low cost of the TEK can partially be attributed to the fact that it comes with no accessories: no fans, no mounting kit, no acrylic shield. The ATI sunpower comes with all of the above.
The rest of the ATI's price premium is justifiable by its higher PAR output, as tested by many users. If you don't need the higher PAR (e.g. shallow LPS tank), the TEK may be all you need.
The rest of the ATI's price premium is justifiable by its higher PAR output, as tested by many users. If you don't need the higher PAR (e.g. shallow LPS tank), the TEK may be all you need.
I just installed my ATI recently as well. My setup, back to front:
Coral+
Purple+
Blue+
Coral+
Blue+
Blue+
It's a bit too blue for my tastes. I'm heavily considering switching at least one of the Blue+ with a Coral+, if not two of them.
I skipped the aquablue specials completely in favor of the coral plus. They're ATI's newest bulbs, are only slightly blue, bring out the reds and purples and aren't harsh like the ab specials.
I just ordered a ATI sunpower 6x54 48" on Friday. But the description of it on Marine depot didn't say if it comes with the moonlight led's or another type of moonlight? Or if i have to go with a different source for moonlights? Or do i even need moonlights? I am new to the hobby so any help would be awesome.
rtparty
Raise The Reef!
There are no moonlights on the ATI stuff.
Do you need them? Nope. They are all personal preference in the end. In reality, corals need a period of time with complete darkness to recoup. They are animals and like the rest of us, need "sleep" as well.
So new that they didn't have them for sale at the place I got mine. I'll need to check into that - maybe replace one of my AQSp with one. Maybe both - I'll pick up two and see what it looks like.
I screwed up mounting mine and cut the end of one of the cables. This was before I realized that I could press in the top and release the cable. It took forever to get it into the holder on the lamp and I'm not sure if I'll be able to get it back in. Anyone know a good tool to cut those cables cleanly? Wire cutters most certainly do not work.
stevedola
Master of my domain
I think you need a torch or something to get a clean cut but if you can go to homedepot they have heavy duty bolt cutters at the wire cable section. its about as clean as you can get it. Actually not bolt cutter but a cable cutter that you tighten until it cuts. no matter what I did I couldnt get a cut similar to the factory cut
I am completely new to the hobby,I have a 75 gallon reef ready tank that I have not set up yet.I just received my ati sunpower lights in the mail today and was wondering what colors. Of bulbs you guys are running in what order. And how you like the color ? Mine is the 6x54. Thank you for any help
I have the same fixture on my 110 gallon tall. Others recommended ATI bulbs in the following order (or similar), back to front:
Blue plus
Purple plus
Blue plus
Coral Plus
Blue plus
Blue plus
I think this combo would look good in a well established tank with lots of coraline and mature coral colonies, but it's too blue for my tastes and tank. My setup is as follows:
Coral plus
Purple Plus
Blue Plus
Coral Plus
Blue Plus
Coral Plus
Regardless of your preferences, the consensus seems to be to skip the aquablue specials.
doctorgori
New member
...just passing by...
Ryan has given me good advice FWIW...
but just for comparison sake: I'm running just a 4x54 Sunpower over my 90...I'd say a bit underpowered but still totally within adequate range:LPS and lower light Derasa's grow perfectly fine all the way at the bottom...I have to place SPS in the upper 3rd however
... IMHO, my tank look pretty decent for just 9mos old
That said ...I'll be getting the 6x54 Tek here shortly, but for no other reason than a better bulb mix...
Ryan has given me good advice FWIW...
but just for comparison sake: I'm running just a 4x54 Sunpower over my 90...I'd say a bit underpowered but still totally within adequate range:LPS and lower light Derasa's grow perfectly fine all the way at the bottom...I have to place SPS in the upper 3rd however
... IMHO, my tank look pretty decent for just 9mos old
That said ...I'll be getting the 6x54 Tek here shortly, but for no other reason than a better bulb mix...
Similar threads
