|
03/28/2017, 04:12 PM | #1 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Mansfield, MA
Posts: 110
|
Radions or ATI Dimmable sunpower
I am planning my build for my 60x30x27 reef. Planning on running mainly SPS. Would you recommend a 48x8 ATI dimmable sunpower or 5 radion G3 pro.
|
03/28/2017, 04:27 PM | #2 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Vancouver
Posts: 1,596
|
Regular Sunpower IMO
|
03/28/2017, 04:33 PM | #3 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Mansfield, MA
Posts: 110
|
I have been searching my local area and found 48" x8 disable sunpower and some radion g3. If I go with the ATI the initial cost will be significantly less, but long run it will add up quick for bulb replacements. For all the radions is will cost me approximately 3x as much up front
|
03/28/2017, 04:53 PM | #4 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Orlando, FL
Posts: 107
|
Everyone always acts like bulbs are very expensive and LED is cheaper in the long run but I don't think they actually calculate it. I'm not sure what prices you're getting the fixtures for but lets say the T5 is $500 and the Radions are $1500 since you said 3x more. Bulbs per ATI are suggested to be changed 9-12 months. Lets say 8 bulbs at $160 every 9 months for worst case scenario. 1000(price difference)/160(bulb cost)=6.25(replacements) or 56.25 months thus 4.69 years. So after over 4.5 years you still haven't acquired savings and honestly if you're going to run 5 radions you'll use more electricity than one T5 fixture.
|
03/28/2017, 04:59 PM | #5 | |
Registered Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Vancouver
Posts: 1,596
|
Quote:
Not to mention the lifespan of the Radions is not definite, they will eventually die. A T5 light needs a new ballast and fan from time to time and that's about it. |
|
03/28/2017, 05:26 PM | #6 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Mansfield, MA
Posts: 110
|
Those are great points you guys bring up. I am starting to lean towards the ATI, it will leave more money for other needed equipment
|
03/28/2017, 05:30 PM | #7 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Orlando, FL
Posts: 107
|
Keep in mind that the bulbs are supposed to be broke in under full power or it'll reduce the bulb life.
|
03/28/2017, 05:34 PM | #8 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Mansfield, MA
Posts: 110
|
How long to the bulbs have to break in for
|
03/28/2017, 05:40 PM | #9 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Orlando, FL
Posts: 107
|
Straight from ATI "Brand new lamps have a burn in period of 50 hours. During this time they should not be dimmed; if using a dimmable fixture. They may also illuminate inconsistently or flicker during this period. Don't worry this is perfectly Normal."
They have a really good in depth thread on their fixtures and bulbs that explains a lot of things most people don't know. Including that the bulbs are directional. I can't post the link here because its another forum but I can pm the link. |
03/28/2017, 06:08 PM | #10 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Hernando Beach, FL
Posts: 944
|
Sunpower all day long.
|
03/28/2017, 06:26 PM | #11 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Mansfield, MA
Posts: 110
|
I have made up my mine I'm going to go with the sunpower. Now to figure out what combo of bulbs to run
|
03/28/2017, 07:44 PM | #12 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Vancouver
Posts: 1,596
|
|
03/28/2017, 08:00 PM | #13 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Long Island, New York
Posts: 1,742
|
G4 radions seem like a great fixture, with proven results already.
Sunpower is an excellent fixture also!
__________________
Rimless 150 Gal Sps System: Giesemann Spectra/New Apex/2x MP40qd's+ 2x Gyre XF250's/Cor20/Custom Stand, Sump and Algae Scrubber/2x DOS dosing/Skimz Octa 205i Skimmer |
03/28/2017, 08:26 PM | #14 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: New Port Richey, FL
Posts: 776
|
Sunpower can't be beat. You can add blue led strips for the perfect lighting for what ever you want to keep.
__________________
"A flute with no holes is not a flute ...and a doughnut with no hole...is a Danish." - Ty Webb (Caddyshack, 1980) Current Tank Info: 125gallon, 3 T247 led's and 2 80w T5's. 2 MP 40's,2 MP 10's. and a 40 breeder, ATI 4 bulb 39w light with 2 blue led strips. 1 MP 10. All plumbed to 40 gallon homemade acrylic sump. with APEX controller. |
03/28/2017, 08:49 PM | #15 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Mansfield, MA
Posts: 110
|
I like 14k-20k. The fixture already has an blue led installed as a bonus.
|
03/28/2017, 10:41 PM | #16 |
New Old School
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Luzerne County, PA
Posts: 3,293
|
I've read of some issues with the dimmable, or at least one of the big-name dimmable fixtures. I think they were having premature ballast failures. You should research the model and see.
|
03/29/2017, 12:51 AM | #17 | |
Registered Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Vancouver
Posts: 1,596
|
Quote:
|
|
03/29/2017, 09:23 AM | #18 |
Premium Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Minot, ND
Posts: 815
|
Sunpower
4 Blue Plus, 2 Coral Plus, 2 Actinic
__________________
23,996 thawed iced cubes in a big cube and filled with flowers that grow under water. |
03/29/2017, 10:13 AM | #19 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
Posts: 2,016
|
I ran 3 Coral+ and 3 Blue+ in my ATI Sunpower. My Acropora absolutely loved it. It was a tad to blue at first for me, but it quickly became the norm and I actually really enjoyed the bulb combo. Most importantly, so did my Acropora!!
__________________
A Reef in the Desert: 120 Gallon (4x2x2) - MP40 x2 - Gyre 130 - ATI Sunpower - Simplicity Pump/Skimmer - Controlled by Apex |
03/29/2017, 10:22 AM | #20 | |
Registered Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Long Island, New York
Posts: 1,742
|
Quote:
__________________
Rimless 150 Gal Sps System: Giesemann Spectra/New Apex/2x MP40qd's+ 2x Gyre XF250's/Cor20/Custom Stand, Sump and Algae Scrubber/2x DOS dosing/Skimz Octa 205i Skimmer |
|
03/29/2017, 06:31 PM | #21 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Mansfield, MA
Posts: 110
|
So luckily the fixture I am getting comes with bulbs that have about two months of use. This will make it a little easier to play around with bulb combinations
|
03/29/2017, 06:52 PM | #22 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 223
|
ATI Sunpower non-dimmable.
Just joined the club myself and wont be going back to LED for a very long time. |
03/30/2017, 08:09 AM | #23 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: atlanta
Posts: 57
|
Thinking about changing myself. Have the A.I. hd 26's right now. I have a lot of reward points at marine depot and can get the 6 bulb ATI at a very good price. Just waiting to see if they have a sale soon....
|
03/30/2017, 09:05 AM | #24 | |
Registered Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
Posts: 2,016
|
Quote:
Why're you thinking of changing? Are you just bored and wanna go T5 or are you unhappy with the H26HD results?
__________________
A Reef in the Desert: 120 Gallon (4x2x2) - MP40 x2 - Gyre 130 - ATI Sunpower - Simplicity Pump/Skimmer - Controlled by Apex |
|
03/30/2017, 10:43 AM | #25 |
Premium Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Oregon
Posts: 354
|
|
|
|