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Unread 03/28/2017, 04:12 PM   #1
McCune
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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.


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Unread 03/28/2017, 04:27 PM   #2
Potatohead
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Regular Sunpower IMO


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Unread 03/28/2017, 04:33 PM   #3
McCune
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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


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Unread 03/28/2017, 04:53 PM   #4
Brandon0034
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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.


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Unread 03/28/2017, 04:59 PM   #5
Potatohead
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Brandon0034 View Post
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.

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.


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Unread 03/28/2017, 05:26 PM   #6
McCune
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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


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Unread 03/28/2017, 05:30 PM   #7
Brandon0034
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Keep in mind that the bulbs are supposed to be broke in under full power or it'll reduce the bulb life.


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Unread 03/28/2017, 05:34 PM   #8
McCune
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How long to the bulbs have to break in for


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Unread 03/28/2017, 05:40 PM   #9
Brandon0034
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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.


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Unread 03/28/2017, 06:08 PM   #10
BryanS4
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Sunpower all day long.


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Unread 03/28/2017, 06:26 PM   #11
McCune
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I have made up my mine I'm going to go with the sunpower. Now to figure out what combo of bulbs to run


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Unread 03/28/2017, 07:44 PM   #12
Potatohead
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Quote:
Originally Posted by McCune View Post
I have made up my mine I'm going to go with the sunpower. Now to figure out what combo of bulbs to run
Eight bulb? Do you like 12k or more like 20k?


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Unread 03/28/2017, 08:00 PM   #13
ReefCowboy
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G4 radions seem like a great fixture, with proven results already.
Sunpower is an excellent fixture also!


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Unread 03/28/2017, 08:26 PM   #14
ClownMan727
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Sunpower can't be beat. You can add blue led strips for the perfect lighting for what ever you want to keep.


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Unread 03/28/2017, 08:49 PM   #15
McCune
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I like 14k-20k. The fixture already has an blue led installed as a bonus.


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Unread 03/28/2017, 10:41 PM   #16
Breadman03
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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.


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Unread 03/29/2017, 12:51 AM   #17
Potatohead
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Quote:
Originally Posted by McCune View Post
I like 14k-20k. The fixture already has an blue led installed as a bonus.
A lot of people just run four blue+ and four coral+ which is about 13k or so. I like putting a purple in there somewhere. Five blue+, two coral+ and one purple+ is around 15k. Drop a coral for another blue and more like 17k.


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Unread 03/29/2017, 09:23 AM   #18
Demonic
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Sunpower
4 Blue Plus, 2 Coral Plus, 2 Actinic


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Unread 03/29/2017, 10:13 AM   #19
Hentz
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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!!




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Unread 03/29/2017, 10:22 AM   #20
ReefCowboy
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hentz View Post
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!!

Nice tank!!


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Unread 03/29/2017, 06:31 PM   #21
McCune
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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


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Unread 03/29/2017, 06:52 PM   #22
Bronx19
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ATI Sunpower non-dimmable.

Just joined the club myself and wont be going back to LED for a very long time.


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Unread 03/30/2017, 08:09 AM   #23
hubble
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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....


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Unread 03/30/2017, 09:05 AM   #24
Hentz
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hubble View Post
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....
I'll say I went from 3 H26HD's to a 6 bulb ATI on my 56 Gallon. Didn't see much of a difference, growth and color was just as good with the two!

Why're you thinking of changing? Are you just bored and wanna go T5 or are you unhappy with the H26HD results?


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Unread 03/30/2017, 10:43 AM   #25
Mirror Pond
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Demonic View Post
Sunpower
4 Blue Plus, 2 Coral Plus, 2 Actinic
That's what I run in my 24" fixture. Sometimes I'll throw in a purple plus or a KZ new generation for a little change but always end up switching back after few weeks.


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