ati sunpower

ksfishguy · 04/30/2013, 02:23 AM

im thinking of buying an ati sunpower unit for my 125 tank. I'm leaning towards the 6x80 60 inch unit. I have some cheap led units right now one being a taotronics and the other an ecoray but I'm not big on the color I get. my question is how many like these units and would you recommend the change? also what bulb configuration do you like.

fishgate · 04/30/2013, 05:28 AM

I have a 4x80 60 inch on my 125. I don't think you need a 6x unless you are doing some heavy duty SPS. I love the unit it is awesome. It is 2 sets of 2 bulbs. I think the 6 bulb is 1 set of 2 and 1 set of 4.

I use the following bulbs:

blue+
blue+
AB special
coral plus

Michigan Mike · 04/30/2013, 06:18 AM

Check a few pages back on the T5 Q&A thread as I posted some 4 & 6 bulb combos there.

I would get a 6x80w
4 blue plus, 1 purple plus, 1 coral plus. Good start here for a not overly blue look.

Drae · 04/30/2013, 08:58 AM

Yes definitely go for the ati and grow everything you want. 6 bulbs for better color imho like Mike has already suggested. I'd do 3 blue plus 2 coral plus and 1 purple plus.

TimeConsumer · 04/30/2013, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drae

I'd do 3 blue plus 2 coral plus and 1 purple plus.

A solid recommendation, that's what I am using currently, and it's a good color. But it could use a couple of Reefbrites.

Michigan Mike · 04/30/2013, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimeConsumer

A solid recommendation, that's what I am using currently, and it's a good color. But it could use a couple of Reefbrites.

So basically more blue might help?

krzyphsygy · 04/30/2013, 02:37 PM

I have the 60 inch 6x 80 watt and if I could do it all again, I would go with halides. The fixture I have is too much IMO, I don't like the color sps get on t5s either. They lose the darkness of color and are very light IMO. Unless you Are only keeping sps, go with 4 bulbs. I realized I like low light corals much better and my lights are too much.

Drae · 04/30/2013, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michigan Mike

So basically more blue might help?

Mike loves a blue tank and there's nothing wrong with that at all. I like a crisp Blueish white tank. 4 blue plus and 1 purple with 1 coral plus looks great imho. Reminds me of the Phoenix color or a radium.

Michigan Mike · 04/30/2013, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drae

Mike loves a blue tank and there's nothing wrong with that at all. I like a crisp Blueish white tank. 4 blue plus and 1 purple with 1 coral plus looks great imho. Reminds me of the Phoenix color or a radium.

No I don't....-snicker- okay maybe not just love blue tanks but I luuuuv dem blue tanks! Haha I'd rather look @ coral not purple algae

ya know what I mean?

I actually don't mind the 6 bulb combo of
Back
Blue plus
Blue plus
Ge6500
Blue plus
Fiji purple
Blue plus
Front
A little more natural looking.

Michigan Mike · 04/30/2013, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by krzyphsygy

I have the 60 inch 6x 80 watt and if I could do it all again, I would go with halides. The fixture I have is too much IMO, I don't like the color sps get on t5s either. They lose the darkness of color and are very light IMO. Unless you Are only keeping sps, go with 4 bulbs. I realized I like low light corals much better and my lights are too much.

Maybe add actinics instead of blue bulbs to lower the PAR, never heard anyone disliking the color of coral with T5 before but after LEDs people think it can be flat looking light.

I hate (harsh, maybe i dont luv?) low Kelvin halides with brown looking coral, it makes me very sad

ksfishguy · 05/01/2013, 01:33 AM

thanks guys I believe I am going to go with an ati fixture.

johnwick · 05/01/2013, 08:04 PM

I have an 8x54 on my standard 120. I can grow everything and love it. 6 bulbs will give you more options on color spectrum. If I were u I would not hesitate to get it. Go to the reef geek forum and send a message to David asking if he has any scratch and dent. I got mine 35% off and it just has a small scratch. Incredible deal.

heckeng · 05/01/2013, 09:25 PM

I used to be all metal halide, then I went LED (AI SOL), that went horribly so I switched back to a MH/T5 fixture which was good, but was relatively loud and hot, and 2 weeks ago I switched to a dimmable sunpower. It is fantastic. I have a 90 gallon tank and went with the 6x54w. It is absolutely silent, even with the fans running. The programming is not quite as smooth as the AI as far as the dimming, but it is pretty damn good. The t5 bulbs probably start around 25%, not 1% like LEDs. Other than that, it is completely smooth transitioning and the best thing of ALL of these various lighting combinations is that it runs on ONE SINGLE POWER CORD!!! The non-dimmable has several cords and I think an adapter and is not nearly as clean looking. You won't be disappointed with the ATI. Also, I run 2 aquabluespecial bulbs (very white) and 4 Blue Plus (very blue with actinic in it) and the color is phenomenal.

johnwick · 05/02/2013, 06:27 PM

This is my spectrum for an 8 bulb if you're interested.

karsseboom · 05/02/2013, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnwick

This is my spectrum for an 8 bulb if you're interested.

Thats the same bulb combo I run but with a coral plus over the ABS

GroktheCube · 05/03/2013, 05:05 PM

I bought a 4x54w to supplement my LEDs, and I'm happy with it! Still not settled on final configuration of bulbs, but 2x actinic, 1 superblue, 1 purple plus seems to look pretty good.

Michigan Mike · 05/03/2013, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by karsseboom

Thats the same bulb combo I run but with a coral plus over the ABS

Nice! I bet that's pretty colorful.

Drae · 05/04/2013, 07:54 AM

How do those actinics look? I always thought that the blue plus was actinic... wait one is 440nm right? And one is more of a 420nm?

TimeConsumer · 05/04/2013, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drae

How do those actinics look? I always thought that the blue plus was actinic... wait one is 440nm right? And one is more of a 420nm?

Actinic is around 420nm and Blue Plus is more like an 80/20 mix of 460nm and 420nm.

shred5 · 05/04/2013, 12:17 PM

I have a 6 bulb powermodule over my 75 and it is a pretty good fixture. Great reflectors.

GroktheCube · 05/04/2013, 12:39 PM

Actinics are basically pure violet. Blue plus is bright blue, slightly cyan. Actinics seem to render color better, especially purples and reds. Blues are much brighter, but wash things out a bit. Purple plus actually looks a bit more pink than purple to my eyes. It brings out reds amazingly well, but unless its pretty high up it causes some color banding.

GratefulReef · 05/04/2013, 12:47 PM

I tried the aquapink and love it, makes reds/greens pop! ATI fixtures are def a solid choice I use a 6x54w on my 75 and even with just two lamps on its super bright.

04/30/2013, 02:23 AM	#1
ksfishguy Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 16	ati sunpower im thinking of buying an ati sunpower unit for my 125 tank. I'm leaning towards the 6x80 60 inch unit. I have some cheap led units right now one being a taotronics and the other an ecoray but I'm not big on the color I get. my question is how many like these units and would you recommend the change? also what bulb configuration do you like.

04/30/2013, 05:28 AM	#2
fishgate Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Damascus, MD Posts: 3,340	I have a 4x80 60 inch on my 125. I don't think you need a 6x unless you are doing some heavy duty SPS. I love the unit it is awesome. It is 2 sets of 2 bulbs. I think the 6 bulb is 1 set of 2 and 1 set of 4. I use the following bulbs: blue+ blue+ AB special coral plus __________________ 125RR in-wall, 40B Sump, CS180 BM Skimmer, ATI 4x80 watt, eheim 1262, custom wrap around rock wall, ReefKeeper Elite 120g in-wall, 40B Sump, PC 54wx4, Jabao DC-6000 (full siphon), future seahorse t Current Tank Info: 125g, 120g, 2x40b sumps, ATI 4x80 T5HO

05/01/2013, 09:25 PM	#13
heckeng Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Columbia, MO Posts: 260	I used to be all metal halide, then I went LED (AI SOL), that went horribly so I switched back to a MH/T5 fixture which was good, but was relatively loud and hot, and 2 weeks ago I switched to a dimmable sunpower. It is fantastic. I have a 90 gallon tank and went with the 6x54w. It is absolutely silent, even with the fans running. The programming is not quite as smooth as the AI as far as the dimming, but it is pretty damn good. The t5 bulbs probably start around 25%, not 1% like LEDs. Other than that, it is completely smooth transitioning and the best thing of ALL of these various lighting combinations is that it runs on ONE SINGLE POWER CORD!!! The non-dimmable has several cords and I think an adapter and is not nearly as clean looking. You won't be disappointed with the ATI. Also, I run 2 aquabluespecial bulbs (very white) and 4 Blue Plus (very blue with actinic in it) and the color is phenomenal. __________________ 90 gallon Zoa/Ricordia tank, 6x54w ATI dimmable Sunpower, SRO 1000int

05/04/2013, 12:17 PM	#20
shred5 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Waukesha , WI Posts: 4,998	I have a 6 bulb powermodule over my 75 and it is a pretty good fixture. Great reflectors. __________________ David Polzin

04/30/2013, 06:18 AM	#3
Michigan Mike Freedom costs a buckofive Join Date: May 2012 Location: Michigan Posts: 3,002	Check a few pages back on the T5 Q&A thread as I posted some 4 & 6 bulb combos there. I would get a 6x80w 4 blue plus, 1 purple plus, 1 coral plus. Good start here for a not overly blue look.

04/30/2013, 08:58 AM	#4
Drae RAIDER NATION! Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: City of sin... Posts: 3,476	Yes definitely go for the ati and grow everything you want. 6 bulbs for better color imho like Mike has already suggested. I'd do 3 blue plus 2 coral plus and 1 purple plus.

04/30/2013, 02:37 PM	#7
krzyphsygy Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 2,148	I have the 60 inch 6x 80 watt and if I could do it all again, I would go with halides. The fixture I have is too much IMO, I don't like the color sps get on t5s either. They lose the darkness of color and are very light IMO. Unless you Are only keeping sps, go with 4 bulbs. I realized I like low light corals much better and my lights are too much.

05/01/2013, 01:33 AM	#11
ksfishguy Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 16	thanks guys I believe I am going to go with an ati fixture.

05/01/2013, 08:04 PM	#12
johnwick Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 80	I have an 8x54 on my standard 120. I can grow everything and love it. 6 bulbs will give you more options on color spectrum. If I were u I would not hesitate to get it. Go to the reef geek forum and send a message to David asking if he has any scratch and dent. I got mine 35% off and it just has a small scratch. Incredible deal.

05/02/2013, 06:27 PM	#14
johnwick Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 80	This is my spectrum for an 8 bulb if you're interested.

05/03/2013, 05:05 PM	#16
GroktheCube Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 2,063	I bought a 4x54w to supplement my LEDs, and I'm happy with it! Still not settled on final configuration of bulbs, but 2x actinic, 1 superblue, 1 purple plus seems to look pretty good.

05/04/2013, 07:54 AM	#18
Drae RAIDER NATION! Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: City of sin... Posts: 3,476	How do those actinics look? I always thought that the blue plus was actinic... wait one is 440nm right? And one is more of a 420nm?

05/04/2013, 12:39 PM	#21
GroktheCube Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 2,063	Actinics are basically pure violet. Blue plus is bright blue, slightly cyan. Actinics seem to render color better, especially purples and reds. Blues are much brighter, but wash things out a bit. Purple plus actually looks a bit more pink than purple to my eyes. It brings out reds amazingly well, but unless its pretty high up it causes some color banding.

05/04/2013, 12:47 PM	#22
GratefulReef Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: syracuse,ny Posts: 288	I tried the aquapink and love it, makes reds/greens pop! ATI fixtures are def a solid choice I use a 6x54w on my 75 and even with just two lamps on its super bright.