Question regarding ATI fixture size; please advise...

Kahuna · 10/21/2014, 03:26 PM

I have a 93g cube (30 X 30") and had bought a 24" 8 bulb ATI fixture for it. I have a 36" 8 bulb over my 90g rectangle and it's great.

I am coming into a 150DD and am requesting which would be adequate for SPS? The 36" over the 48" long 90g rocks with more than enough light all the way to the end of the tank. My SPS are rockin' currently.

Is the 8-bulb 24" big enough for the 36 X 36 150DD or should I use the 36"? Both are 8-bulb.

Thanks,

Kevin

Jeremy B. · 10/22/2014, 06:58 AM

The effective coverage area of the 24" and 36" fixtures you have are going to be the same, except for the fact that the 24" is going to be just that, 12" shorter in coverage. Your new tank is also going to be 12" shorter in length, so left to right you will have the same coverage on your 150DD with the 24" fixture as what you would on the 90g with your 36" fixture.

The issue is going to come in with the coverage are on the 150DD front to back. Your 8 bulb covers your 90g 18" wide tank with no issues at all. The same can probably be said for your 93g cube where it covers most of that 30" front to back very well too. If your coral placement in terms of distance out in front of the fixture and in back of the fixture on the 150DD is very similar to what you have now in the 93g then you shouldn't really see any differences at all. However, that extra 3" in front and 3" in back that you're dealing with on the 150DD is certainly going to be an area of much lower light output.

I hope that all makes sense?

Kahuna · 10/22/2014, 01:36 PM

Yep, makes sense. In the 150, the SPS's will be centrally located on a "tree" made from dry rock and PVC pipe. My large (16") squamosa clam hides under the center brace and does not like all of the light to be on him, so he and my LPS corals will be outside the main cone of intense light.

Think this strategy will be OK? The light will be 18" off of the water like it is now, so coverage is still pretty good, I think.

Thanks,

Kevin

10/21/2014, 03:26 PM	#1
Kahuna Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Armpit O' the Midwest Posts: 268	Question regarding ATI fixture size; please advise... I have a 93g cube (30 X 30") and had bought a 24" 8 bulb ATI fixture for it. I have a 36" 8 bulb over my 90g rectangle and it's great. I am coming into a 150DD and am requesting which would be adequate for SPS? The 36" over the 48" long 90g rocks with more than enough light all the way to the end of the tank. My SPS are rockin' currently. Is the 8-bulb 24" big enough for the 36 X 36 150DD or should I use the 36"? Both are 8-bulb. Thanks, Kevin

10/22/2014, 06:58 AM	#2
Jeremy B. Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Indianapolis, IN / Muncie, IN Posts: 8,219	The effective coverage area of the 24" and 36" fixtures you have are going to be the same, except for the fact that the 24" is going to be just that, 12" shorter in coverage. Your new tank is also going to be 12" shorter in length, so left to right you will have the same coverage on your 150DD with the 24" fixture as what you would on the 90g with your 36" fixture. The issue is going to come in with the coverage are on the 150DD front to back. Your 8 bulb covers your 90g 18" wide tank with no issues at all. The same can probably be said for your 93g cube where it covers most of that 30" front to back very well too. If your coral placement in terms of distance out in front of the fixture and in back of the fixture on the 150DD is very similar to what you have now in the 93g then you shouldn't really see any differences at all. However, that extra 3" in front and 3" in back that you're dealing with on the 150DD is certainly going to be an area of much lower light output. I hope that all makes sense?

10/22/2014, 01:36 PM	#3
Kahuna Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Armpit O' the Midwest Posts: 268	Yep, makes sense. In the 150, the SPS's will be centrally located on a "tree" made from dry rock and PVC pipe. My large (16") squamosa clam hides under the center brace and does not like all of the light to be on him, so he and my LPS corals will be outside the main cone of intense light. Think this strategy will be OK? The light will be 18" off of the water like it is now, so coverage is still pretty good, I think. Thanks, Kevin