Which is better icecap DYI T5 vs ATI powermodule

saltywet · 09/04/2010, 07:21 PM

Any one have par numbers or thoughts which T5 will give better lighting?

I am contemplating T5 8 x 48" icecap 660 ballast vs 8 x 48" ati powermodule.

Of course I would use the nice reefgeek slr reflectors for the icecap.

But there will be no fans like the ati powermodule has to cool the bulbs.

So what is better?

Anyone tried both?

Thank you!!!!

adambirk · 09/04/2010, 07:30 PM

the powermodule is probably the most high powered t5 set up you will come across. they are bad ***.

saltywet · 09/04/2010, 07:34 PM

adambirk,

so there is a difference with quality of par even with icecap vs ati?

People with those nice color on their corals likely are using ATI?

Zire · 09/04/2010, 08:25 PM

ATI is known the have the best PAR output of any commercial fixture, their individual reflectors and powerful cooling go a long way to increasing bulb performance and duration.

James77 · 09/04/2010, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saltywet

adambirk,

so there is a difference with quality of par even with icecap vs ati?

People with those nice color on their corals likely are using ATI?

The Icecap may have slightly more PAR because they are being overdriven, which IMO takes away one major plus to T5s- less energy use. ATI will not automatically equal fantastic corals, a very good well thought out DIY with cooling will achieve similar results.

They are a great fixture, and you can't beat the performance. They will give alot of intense light with lower energy usage. They use channeled cooling with one fan for each two reflectors, so air is forced over each bulb.

saltywet · 09/04/2010, 08:37 PM

Quote:

The Icecap may have slightly more PAR because they are being overdriven, which IMO takes away one major plus to T5s- less energy use. ATI will not automatically equal fantastic corals, a very good well thought out DIY with cooling will achieve similar results.

I agree that good water params are necessary for good colors.

It sounds like ATI is the best way to go.

rtparty · 09/04/2010, 09:02 PM

Not cooling an overdriven setup will be disastrous! Good luck getting bulbs to last more than 4 months. Even cooling them kills bulb life. Most last around 9 months or so, blue bulbs being less.

Get the ATI Powermodule and crank the fans up to 9 volts. You will get bulbs to last about 12 months then. Most PAR readings show ATI fixtures keeping up with 400w MH.

Even with the overdriving and good reflectors, you aren't going to be able to keep the bulbs at proper temps without an elaborate cooling system. Even when I see people use a couple fans, there are usually bulbs missed or the proper temps aren't achieved.

Get the ATI PM and be careful you don't fry your corals!

saltywet · 09/04/2010, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Get the ATI PM and be careful you don't fry your corals!

Quote:

Most PAR readings show ATI fixtures keeping up with 400w MH.

That's great to hear....did sanjay come out with numbers yet?

sedor · 09/04/2010, 09:20 PM

I think you'd be well off with either the icecap or the ATI, both are very reputable companies in this industry. Icecap has made an amazing impression on the marine hobby and I would personally go that route, simply because I like Icecap. ATI on the other hand has always been known as a top of the line fixture. Which one do you like best? I guess with the icecap you'll have to do a lot of diy work where with the ATI your plug and play.

drtrash · 09/04/2010, 10:26 PM

ATI far superior. I had the Icecap system prior to my sunpower and it was about the same intesity but could not keep it cool enough so bulbs were much shorter lived than ATI.

saltywet · 09/04/2010, 10:34 PM

Quote:

ATI far superior. I had the Icecap system prior to my sunpower and it was about the same intesity but could not keep it cool enough so bulbs were much shorter lived than ATI.

Drtrash,

Did you see a difference in color of your corals between icecap vs sunpower?

drtrash · 09/05/2010, 09:09 AM

No color difference at all. Matter of fact I have had to raise my sunpower (6x24) because it thows out too much light. Went with a few lower PAR bulbs and combined some are starting to colorup better. Red Planet went to a light pink, with no green, starting to see an almost re, & Purple Bonsia faded, and starting to purple up. I was running it at 6-7" and now I'm at 10-11".

saltywet · 09/05/2010, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Purple Bonsia faded, and starting to purple up

So your purple bonsai faded due to too much light under the sunpower at 6-7"?
Now it is purpler at 10-11" or is it finally coloring up with T5?

Thanks

rodcpierce · 09/05/2010, 10:42 AM

he bleached them from too much light output switching to the ATI. So he raised the lights and now they are starting to color back up.

drtrash · 09/05/2010, 10:59 AM

In a nut shell, life is better for my stoney friends. I am starting to think that reefers use way too much light. I have seen some very nice tanks with moderate lighting. Still bright but not surface of the sun bright.

saltywet · 09/05/2010, 05:10 PM

Great info.....Thanks for all your precious time over this labor day weekend!!!

chilwil84 · 09/05/2010, 06:23 PM

an extra thing to remember is putting premade fixtures in canopies voids warrenty coverage.

09/04/2010, 07:21 PM	#1
saltywet Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Milky Way Posts: 222	Which is better icecap DYI T5 vs ATI powermodule Any one have par numbers or thoughts which T5 will give better lighting? I am contemplating T5 8 x 48" icecap 660 ballast vs 8 x 48" ati powermodule. Of course I would use the nice reefgeek slr reflectors for the icecap. But there will be no fans like the ati powermodule has to cool the bulbs. So what is better? Anyone tried both? Thank you!!!!

09/04/2010, 09:02 PM	#7
rtparty Raise The Reef! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Utah Posts: 7,404	Not cooling an overdriven setup will be disastrous! Good luck getting bulbs to last more than 4 months. Even cooling them kills bulb life. Most last around 9 months or so, blue bulbs being less. Get the ATI Powermodule and crank the fans up to 9 volts. You will get bulbs to last about 12 months then. Most PAR readings show ATI fixtures keeping up with 400w MH. Even with the overdriving and good reflectors, you aren't going to be able to keep the bulbs at proper temps without an elaborate cooling system. Even when I see people use a couple fans, there are usually bulbs missed or the proper temps aren't achieved. Get the ATI PM and be careful you don't fry your corals! __________________ Ryan Click on my user name and check out my homepage! Current Tank Info: 50g Cadlights/Giesemann Spectra (250w Radium, 2 ATI Blue Plus, 2 ATI Actinic)/2 x Vortech MP10wQD/Skimz SN123/Eheim Compact 3000+

09/04/2010, 09:20 PM	#9
sedor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 4,689	I think you'd be well off with either the icecap or the ATI, both are very reputable companies in this industry. Icecap has made an amazing impression on the marine hobby and I would personally go that route, simply because I like Icecap. ATI on the other hand has always been known as a top of the line fixture. Which one do you like best? I guess with the icecap you'll have to do a lot of diy work where with the ATI your plug and play. __________________ Ryan

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09/04/2010, 07:30 PM	#2
adambirk Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: michigan Posts: 358	the powermodule is probably the most high powered t5 set up you will come across. they are bad ***.

09/04/2010, 07:34 PM	#3
saltywet Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Milky Way Posts: 222	adambirk, so there is a difference with quality of par even with icecap vs ati? People with those nice color on their corals likely are using ATI?

09/04/2010, 08:25 PM	#4
Zire Moved On Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Canada, Ontario Posts: 187	ATI is known the have the best PAR output of any commercial fixture, their individual reflectors and powerful cooling go a long way to increasing bulb performance and duration.

09/04/2010, 10:26 PM	#10
drtrash Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: S. Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 2,178	ATI far superior. I had the Icecap system prior to my sunpower and it was about the same intesity but could not keep it cool enough so bulbs were much shorter lived than ATI.

09/05/2010, 09:09 AM	#12
drtrash Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: S. Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 2,178	No color difference at all. Matter of fact I have had to raise my sunpower (6x24) because it thows out too much light. Went with a few lower PAR bulbs and combined some are starting to colorup better. Red Planet went to a light pink, with no green, starting to see an almost re, & Purple Bonsia faded, and starting to purple up. I was running it at 6-7" and now I'm at 10-11".

09/05/2010, 10:42 AM	#14
rodcpierce Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Cedar Rapids, IA Posts: 201	he bleached them from too much light output switching to the ATI. So he raised the lights and now they are starting to color back up.

09/05/2010, 10:59 AM	#15
drtrash Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: S. Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 2,178	In a nut shell, life is better for my stoney friends. I am starting to think that reefers use way too much light. I have seen some very nice tanks with moderate lighting. Still bright but not surface of the sun bright.

09/05/2010, 05:10 PM	#16
saltywet Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Milky Way Posts: 222	Great info.....Thanks for all your precious time over this labor day weekend!!!

09/05/2010, 06:23 PM	#17
chilwil84 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: down the shore Posts: 780	an extra thing to remember is putting premade fixtures in canopies voids warrenty coverage.