Which T5 option would you pick?

[glxtrix]

Would you rather go with a used ATI Powermodule or a modified tek fixture with the vue 660 ballast? Fixture would be 8x54. You get the nice look of the ATI or the OD power from the modified tek. Tank is 55x24x24 and it's mostly sps, with some lps and softies.

 

[FlyPenFly]

Ati all the way, don't deal with mods, enough to worry about in this hobby.

 

[matty0206]

I don't have a modded Tek but I have a 6 bulb Tek Elite and a 6 bulb Sunpower, the sunpower wins in my book. Brighter, runs cooler, and looks better.

 

[glxtrix]

I don't have a modded Tek but I have a 6 bulb Tek Elite and a 6 bulb Sunpower, the sunpower wins in my book. Brighter, runs cooler, and looks better.

Matty, is the sun power fully open inside? I know the Powermodule has channels to pipe the air for cooling. Just curious. Thanks.

 

[rtparty]

ATI all day. Not even a question. The overdriven tek will kill bulbs.

 

[glxtrix]

ATI all day. Not even a question. The overdriven tek will kill bulbs.

Strange, I have heard that they will, and seen some that haven't. Regardless, ATI was my main want and looks like things are falling in line to get it. Thanks everyone!

 

[matty0206]

Matty, is the sun power fully open inside? I know the Powermodule has channels to pipe the air for cooling. Just curious. Thanks.

I'm not sure to be honest.

 

[rtparty]

Matty, is the sun power fully open inside? I know the Powermodule has channels to pipe the air for cooling. Just curious. Thanks.

The bulbs are separated from the ballasts by a thin sheet of metal. The fans draw cool air in over the ballasts, thru the holes and onto the cold spot (label end) of the bulbs.

 

[glxtrix]

Thanks Ryan. I just looked up some pics on google....guess I could have done that to start Interesting to see the design change from the Powermodule to the sun power for the active cooling.

 

[rtparty]

Thanks Ryan. I just looked up some pics on google....guess I could have done that to start Interesting to see the design change from the Powermodule to the sun power for the active cooling.

I'm not sure they are all that different. The sunpower's light-weight housing shed heat better and thus they could use less fans to cool everything.

The sunpower is still the best fixture for the money.

 

[glxtrix]

Scooped up a used dimmable PM...pretty excited! I do like the idea of the controller built into the SP....but as people have said, you really cant go wrong with either one. Thanks again everyone!

 

[rtparty]

Scooped up a used dimmable PM...pretty excited! I do like the idea of the controller built into the SP....but as people have said, you really cant go wrong with either one. Thanks again everyone!

Which controller are you going to use to control it?

 

[glxtrix]

Which controller are you going to use to control it?

I have a ReefKeeper I'll just use for on and off; and manually dim from the ATI dim box.

 

[boxorocks]

I would try to figure a way to get it to fully dim automatically