dump 8X24 T5's and going to LED?

[MarksReef]

After getting back in the hobby I heard so many good things about the ATI fixture's but finding out after doing a par test (1 week old bulbs) that wow the Par is really weak.
It seams researched, after the fact, the reason is maybe the wattage 8X24. There are others reporting with the longer tubes like 8X80 kick but in par because of the 80Watts.
I thought having 8 of the 24 watts would pack just a punch but no. A few inches under water is pushing 245- 295 .
Middle 160-175 ish.
107 is at bottom (24 deep).
At first I had some bleaching so I raised the lights from 6 inches to 10 thinking I was blasting them and cut the photo period from 10 to 6.
Now I'm considering the evil thought of researching L.E.D.'s
My tank is a 30X30.
Thoughts?

[myram]

Go with both..........LED and T5.........best of both worlds.

I just added 2 - 24" T5 to my Radion Pro...........so far so good.

[rtparty]

My old 6x24w fixture was over 700 PAR about 1" under water and over 350 PAR at 18". I had to hang it 12" off the water to not bleach everything

[MarksReef]

Was that the sunpower or power module? I have the sun-power.

[rtparty]

Originally Posted by MarksReef

Was that the sunpower or power module? I have the sun-power.

Sunpower. I've had a 4x24 and 6x24

Readings were pretty close on the fixtures, especially in the center

[mhucasey]

Something is wrong with your unit or bulbs. My guess is that the dimming feature is broken but you could check to make sure it's not the bulbs by using a spare new set of two bulbs. I have heard that when you put new bulbs on the dimmable units you have to burn them in at 100% for some time before running them dimmed. Anyone who knows for sure please chime in.

Anyhow, with a spare set up all you need to do is connect the old bulbs into the fixture two at a time in the 3 and 6 positions. Start them up at 100%, let them heat up for 20 min or so. Then take a par measurement close to one of the bulbs, measure the distance away, position, etc so you can reproduce it. Swap out the old bulbs with the brand new bulbs and repeat(they need to be the same type of bulb obviously). If you see a major par difference you have damaged bulbs. If not, I'd take advantage of your warranty.

[v10king]

Originally Posted by mhucasey

Something is wrong with your unit or bulbs. My guess is that the dimming feature is broken but you could check to make sure it's not the bulbs by using a spare new set of two bulbs. I have heard that when you put new bulbs on the dimmable units you have to burn them in at 100% for some time before running them dimmed. Anyone who knows for sure please chime in.

Anyhow, with a spare set up all you need to do is connect the old bulbs into the fixture two at a time in the 3 and 6 positions. Start them up at 100%, let them heat up for 20 min or so. Then take a par measurement close to one of the bulbs, measure the distance away, position, etc so you can reproduce it. Swap out the old bulbs with the brand new bulbs and repeat(they need to be the same type of bulb obviously). If you see a major par difference you have damaged bulbs. If not, I'd take advantage of your warranty.

I have a dimmable sunpower and they want you to burn the bulbs in at 100% intensity for first 50 hours before going to dimming.

For the OP, what bulbs are you using? If you have some low par bulbs installed that may be why as well.

[Big E]

You said at first you were bleaching..........I would suspect your par meter wasn't working right.

Just remember, anytime you bleach corals they go to brown first and then color back up. It takes some time, especially with sticks.

Those 8x24 Sunpowers pack a wallop..........plenty of par like everyone has mentioned.

[MarksReef]

Originally Posted by Big E

You said at first you were bleaching..........I would suspect your par meter wasn't working right.

Just remember, anytime you bleach corals they go to brown first and then color back up. It takes some time, especially with sticks.

Those 8x24 Sunpowers pack a wallop..........plenty of par like everyone has
mentioned.

Bleaching corals can turn white too but thats a different thread.
These bulbs I'm testing have 60+ hours on all of them and burned in correctly.
They are still not being dimmed. My water is very clear as I run sometimes too clean a system.
I too suspect the meter which is one of the good ones.
I was offered to borrow another and will report back.
On a good note, one of my mp40's bit the dust and with a quick call, I'll have a free replacement tomorrow morning...

[MisterP]

So are the corals still bleached?

[Cysco]

I just bought an 8x54 ATI and the par is ridiculous. I can't believe the 8x24 would be much different especially for that size tank.

[MarksReef]

That is what really led me to check the Par. I thought I was blasting too much with killer par. I'm not saying the lighting is the cause. I raised the lights and cut back to 6 hrs on the 6 bulbs.
Since raising the lights and cutting back, some have started to color up but then again, Ive made some very stable environment improvements too. And maybe it's the Acro Power I'm trying LOL...

[MarksReef]

Originally Posted by Cysco

I just bought an 8x54 ATI and the par is ridiculous. I can't believe the 8x24 would be much different especially for that size tank.

Thanks for the feedback too. Welcome to ReefCentral. I suspect the Par meter...

[Cysco]

Sure thing. Thanks i figured I would join this millennium and get on an online forum.