Nova Pro vs ATI Sunpower

Archreefer · 02/03/2011, 07:21 PM

I was wondering if a 4 bulb ATI Sunpower would outperform a 6 bulb Nova Pro on a 75gal SPS dominated tank? And if anyone can direct me to, or has par reading for both please post the values.

BuckeyeTodd · 02/03/2011, 07:29 PM

I would guess it would be stronger. If I were you I'd be looking a six bulb tek or four bulb ati, I think six bulb ati would be overkill on that size tank. If you get an ati keep in mind you lps and the likes will need to go very low in the tank to avoid melting.

I've had both ati and tek fixtures and I'm liking the Tek's. The ati's are so strong its hard to place corals. I just add bulbs to get more coverage with the tek, and my non sps corals look better than they did under ati

rtparty · 02/03/2011, 08:51 PM

Yes the ATI will outperform a Nova, no question.

I don't have PAR readings off hand but an ATI out does a Nova by at least 40% if not more.

For an SPS dominated tank I would go with 6 bulbs myself. You will kill yourself trying to find that perfect four bulb combo.

I kept LPS in my tank under an ATI no problem. They were on the bottom and some shaded but they were fine. Just acclimate them properly.

I bet you LPS get hit with 500+ PAR in the ocean. It might not be for a long time but they can handle it. I am not recommending you put LPS at the top of your tank with an ATI. You will melt them.

My acans, lobo and war coral looked much better under my ATI then they did under an Aquactinics. The Aquactinics puts out a little more PAR then Tek's usually but they are very close.

Pdubss · 02/03/2011, 09:34 PM

I switched from a nova extreme 6x54 to an ati powermodule 4x54 over my 48x24x20 rimless 100 gallon and I love it. I dont have a par meter but the ati is bright. I also like not having to clean the front glass as often. The nova is 13 inches wide and the 4 bulb ati's are 9 inches wide. I think that a lot of people have a "more is better" attitude here on RC. Personally I keep a lot of sps under the 4 t5's. I also like the fact that I have to only buy four bulbs every year. You can search my threads to see pictures of my set-up, or if you don't mind let me know and I will post some here. I would recommend the ati.

Felixc395 · 02/03/2011, 10:45 PM

Go with the 6 bulb ATI! You won't be dissaponted!

BuckeyeTodd · 02/03/2011, 11:19 PM

rtparty is the expert, and has helped me many times so listen to his advice.

I think the decision comes down to how much non sps you have. As ryan said you would need to put non sps in shaded areas or at the bottom of the tank with the six bulb ati. I very much liked my ati, and no doubt the par is much higher than the tek-but I had to move lps to bottom and sides with the ati so the fixture wouldn't kill them. I run about a 60/40 sps and non sps tank so the tek works better for me as I can put lps in more areas, but if you run a true sps dominant-80/20 or so-the ati would be the better choice IMO

Felixc395 · 02/03/2011, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BuckeyeTodd

rtparty is the expert, and has helped me many times so listen to his advice.

Absolutely correct and same here. Thanks Ryan!!!

SpencerG · 02/04/2011, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pdubss

I switched from a nova extreme 6x54 to an ati powermodule 4x54 over my 48x24x20 rimless 100 gallon and I love it. I dont have a par meter but the ati is bright. I also like not having to clean the front glass as often. The nova is 13 inches wide and the 4 bulb ati's are 9 inches wide. I think that a lot of people have a "more is better" attitude here on RC. Personally I keep a lot of sps under the 4 t5's. I also like the fact that I have to only buy four bulbs every year. You can search my threads to see pictures of my set-up, or if you don't mind let me know and I will post some here. I would recommend the ati.

Wow, that about says it all - the 4 bulb ati outperforms the 6 bulb nep. I'm all for efficiency. Can you post a link to one of your threads or some pics? Also, what bulb combo are you running? Thanks!

Pdubss · 02/05/2011, 02:12 PM

Here is a piuture with the nova

Pdubss · 02/05/2011, 02:13 PM

I will take some pictures with the ati and post them also

Tank2379 · 02/05/2011, 07:55 PM

You can't go wrong with either fixture they both do a great job with sps and clams.

somethingphishy · 02/05/2011, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pdubss

Here is a piuture with the nova

nice colors...what size tank and demension?

Pdubss · 02/06/2011, 11:24 AM

100 gallon. It is four feet long, two feet front to back, and 20 inches high

Pdubss · 02/07/2011, 08:27 PM

Ati

02/03/2011, 07:21 PM	#1
Archreefer Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 71	Nova Pro vs ATI Sunpower I was wondering if a 4 bulb ATI Sunpower would outperform a 6 bulb Nova Pro on a 75gal SPS dominated tank? And if anyone can direct me to, or has par reading for both please post the values.

02/03/2011, 07:29 PM	#2
BuckeyeTodd Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Orlando Posts: 1,054	I would guess it would be stronger. If I were you I'd be looking a six bulb tek or four bulb ati, I think six bulb ati would be overkill on that size tank. If you get an ati keep in mind you lps and the likes will need to go very low in the tank to avoid melting. I've had both ati and tek fixtures and I'm liking the Tek's. The ati's are so strong its hard to place corals. I just add bulbs to get more coverage with the tek, and my non sps corals look better than they did under ati __________________ Current Tank 150 Cube 36x36x27 2mp40w es, four bulb Tek and six bulb Tek, SRO 3000

02/03/2011, 08:51 PM	#3
rtparty Raise The Reef! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Utah Posts: 7,404	Yes the ATI will outperform a Nova, no question. I don't have PAR readings off hand but an ATI out does a Nova by at least 40% if not more. For an SPS dominated tank I would go with 6 bulbs myself. You will kill yourself trying to find that perfect four bulb combo. I kept LPS in my tank under an ATI no problem. They were on the bottom and some shaded but they were fine. Just acclimate them properly. I bet you LPS get hit with 500+ PAR in the ocean. It might not be for a long time but they can handle it. I am not recommending you put LPS at the top of your tank with an ATI. You will melt them. My acans, lobo and war coral looked much better under my ATI then they did under an Aquactinics. The Aquactinics puts out a little more PAR then Tek's usually but they are very close. __________________ 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+

02/03/2011, 11:19 PM	#6
BuckeyeTodd Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Orlando Posts: 1,054	rtparty is the expert, and has helped me many times so listen to his advice. I think the decision comes down to how much non sps you have. As ryan said you would need to put non sps in shaded areas or at the bottom of the tank with the six bulb ati. I very much liked my ati, and no doubt the par is much higher than the tek-but I had to move lps to bottom and sides with the ati so the fixture wouldn't kill them. I run about a 60/40 sps and non sps tank so the tek works better for me as I can put lps in more areas, but if you run a true sps dominant-80/20 or so-the ati would be the better choice IMO __________________ Current Tank 150 Cube 36x36x27 2mp40w es, four bulb Tek and six bulb Tek, SRO 3000

02/05/2011, 07:55 PM	#11
Tank2379 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chicago(Logan Square/Humbolt Park) Posts: 4,204	You can't go wrong with either fixture they both do a great job with sps and clams. __________________ 90G- Powered By Tek T-5 8 bulb 1X MP10wES,1 MP40wes, Waveline DC4000, Octopus Skimmer NW150, Apex lite, Eshopps RS200 sump 80G Frag system- Powered by 2X MH Pendants with 250W 20K Radiums, DIY S

02/03/2011, 09:34 PM	#4
Pdubss Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Wheaton, IL Posts: 461	I switched from a nova extreme 6x54 to an ati powermodule 4x54 over my 48x24x20 rimless 100 gallon and I love it. I dont have a par meter but the ati is bright. I also like not having to clean the front glass as often. The nova is 13 inches wide and the 4 bulb ati's are 9 inches wide. I think that a lot of people have a "more is better" attitude here on RC. Personally I keep a lot of sps under the 4 t5's. I also like the fact that I have to only buy four bulbs every year. You can search my threads to see pictures of my set-up, or if you don't mind let me know and I will post some here. I would recommend the ati.

02/03/2011, 10:45 PM	#5
Felixc395 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 1,612	Go with the 6 bulb ATI! You won't be dissaponted!

02/05/2011, 02:12 PM	#9
Pdubss Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Wheaton, IL Posts: 461	Here is a piuture with the nova

02/05/2011, 02:13 PM	#10
Pdubss Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Wheaton, IL Posts: 461	I will take some pictures with the ati and post them also

02/06/2011, 11:24 AM	#13
Pdubss Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Wheaton, IL Posts: 461	100 gallon. It is four feet long, two feet front to back, and 20 inches high

02/07/2011, 08:27 PM	#14
Pdubss Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Wheaton, IL Posts: 461	Ati

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