I don't push ATI because I got one to review. I push ATI because they are the best out there. Nothing else even comes close.
And FYI, I paid for my fixture. You really are a piece of work.
From your initial comments on receiving the fixture for your 20 gallon tank it appeared as though ATI sent it to you for eveluation. If I improperly assumed this I'm very sorry.
For over 20 years I had worked with various manufacturers in new product development and evaluation. Every one I worked for had me sign a confidentuality statement and every time we semnnt out products for evaluation we also had the evaluator sign statements of confidentuality before hand. As I thought you received this light for evaluation I only assumed you signed a simular statement.
Yes I will agree ATI is ne of the best manufacturers out there for T-5 fixtures. I believe this especialy true for the larger tanks of 75 gallons or more. However I also believe that there are other fixtures out there that are much more economical to run for the smaller tanks especaily this that are not very tall like 16" or less in height.
As a prime example I was using much lower cost 4 and 6 tube fixtures on my 40 gallon breeder tanks that I was using as frag tanks. Because of the vheaper reflector dexign I was able to place them 3 to 4 inches above the water line and get PAR readings at the substrate in the 300 plus range with 4 tubes. For me to go with an ATI fixture I would be spending about 50% more on the fixture and have to raise it to around 8" or more above the water line to get the same PAR and light spread. In my case this would be impractical As I have tanks stacked one above another for space savings.
As far as the bulbs themselves are concerned. If yur going to a single manufacturer they are probably the best T-5 bulbs. However this does not mean other brands like GE, KZ and others are garbage. Some examples:
GE6,500K is the most powerful full spectrum bulb out there. The thing is unless you have like a bright tank it is perhaps too powerful . It do think it works great in a 8 bulb fixture. However it does need some added red (purple plus) to complement it.
Korallen Zucht Super Blue is a fantastic blue bulb. The spectrums peak at both 420nm and 460nm compared to the ATI blue that is advertised with simular peaks. However if the two bulbs are put next to each other in a fixture you can see the ATI looks slightly bluregreen compared to the KZ looking slightly blueviolet. The big drawback it the higher price of the KZ bulbs.
Giesmans Aqua pink and KZ's Fuji Purple are very comparable to the ATI Purple Plus with each having vewry slightly different color balances. I would not try and rate any ovf these superior or inferior to another.
Then there are the UV bulbs that have the Atinic White which I think is comparable to the Aqua Blue Special of ATI's and the 454 blue which is also a great blue bulb with a peak at 454 that pops the florescense colors. True that the PAR is slightly lower on these bulbs but everyone is not looking for the highest possible PAR and the further to the blue you move the less accurate most PAR meters are. Price wise the UVL's are usualy the lowest.
Mainly what I'm saying is you need to consider all brands not just one brand. A simple one size or one color fits all does not always work especialy in reef tanks with tousands of different corals out there.
