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Dion Richins 
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 Topic: ? ATI Sunpower
Posted: January 24 2010 at 11:25pm |
Looking for any experience with these fixtures. I picked up a 5' version of this light.(6x80w t-5) I'm going to replace my lights on my ray tank with it. (see sale posts) Any way I have Teck 5 units on my 200 now and have loved them. (don't tell Ryan) I picked this up new for a unbelievable deal. I'm just curious what experience any one has.
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Ryan Thompson
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Posted: January 25 2010 at 2:56am |
Keith has the 5 foot version on his new 150g and said he loves it so far.
Be careful putting this light on the tank. They are very powerful and can really shock things if not careful. The ATI Sunpowers put out about 35% more PAR than a TEK. Make sure you put the label ends of the bulbs next to the vent holes (the fan side of the fixture).
My Sunpower will be here next week! I am WAY EXCITED and STOKED!
(Yes I had to capitalize those words)  |
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Dion Richins
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Posted: January 25 2010 at 8:57am |
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Cool, The fans are in the center so I guess it dosent matter which end they go on then? How would you compare this 5' 6 bulb to 2x3' 6 bulbs?
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Ryan Thompson
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Posted: January 25 2010 at 10:06am |
No it does matter unless the 60" colling scheme is different. Look at the first picture. On the right hand side of the fixture you will see holes right above the end caps. Put the label end of the bulbs there. A guy over on RC in the Reefgeek forum did a ton of tests with where to put the label ends in a Sunpower and found putting them how I have described, is the best way.
The ATI Sunpower will put out more PAR then your two TEK's, at least it should. Plus you won't have the dead spot in the middle. Just raise the fixture up a little bit to help with spread. I would move the TEK's to the ray tank if possible.
The funny thing is that 36" T5 are the worst PAR producing T5's. You would think that to a degree it would stay the same as you go up in sizes, 24", 36", 48" and 60". The wattage is a little different on each one; for exapmle, two 24" bulbs only equals 48W when a 48" uses 54W. So in theory you would think a linear formula (of some kind, not totally exact science here) could be used to at least estimate PAR levels, to a certain degree. While the 24, 48 and 60 inch T5's all fit into that estimate, the 36" bulbs fall way off. I don't think anyone has really figured out why that it is.
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Dion Richins
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Posted: January 25 2010 at 10:30am |
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Bummer. I use Guessman bulbs so that will help. The tek-5 units tripled my lux reading over the mh/vho combo that I was running so I'm definitely better off. The only issue I see with this unit is its silver instead of black and I cant find the color bulbs I want in the 60".....
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Jeffs_little_ocean
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Posted: January 25 2010 at 10:32am |
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Ryan can you post that link that shows PAR rating per length? I was going to buy a 36 inch fixture, but might just buy a 24 if the PAR is even close.
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Life is good....right?
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Ryan Thompson
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Posted: January 25 2010 at 1:05pm |
 Dion Richins wrote:
Bummer. I use Guessman bulbs so that will help. The tek-5 units tripled my lux reading over the mh/vho combo that I was running so I'm definitely better off. The only issue I see with this unit is its silver instead of black and I cant find the color bulbs I want in the 60"..... |
What bulbs are you looking for? 60" has the most limited selection but it is pretty easy to find a good combo.
My favorite 6 bulb is:
ATI Blue Plus KZ Fiji Purple ATI Blue Plus ATI Aquablue or GE 6500K ATI Blue Plus ATI Blue Plus
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Ryan Thompson
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Posted: January 25 2010 at 1:12pm |
Jeffs_little_ocean wrote:
Ryan can you post that link that shows PAR rating per length? I was going to buy a 36 inch fixture, but might just buy a 24 if the PAR is even close. |
Jeff,
I am pretty sure this is the thread that discusses it all. It is somewhere in the 12 page mess but it is there.
What tank are you setting up? What do you want to keep?
Those questions are the most important when considering a fixture. I am using a 4 bulb Sunpower over my 40 gallon. I see no need to light the whole tank, as I won't have corals clear to the back, front, or either side. When I keep the fixture about 6 inches off the tank I will get plenty of spread to cover what I need. Plus plenty of PAR for my plans.
edit - Jeff it is page 3 and 4 where they really start comparing the different lengths.
Edited by Ryan Thompson - January 25 2010 at 1:15pm
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Jeffs_little_ocean
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Posted: January 25 2010 at 3:46pm |
Thanks Ryan. Very interesting reading. I am just looking to supplement my two MH pendants with some 3 foot T5's. I have a 65 gallon tank which is the same dimensions as your 40 but 8 inches taller. I dont have any SPS yet, but want to start when i get more light.
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Ryan Thompson
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Posted: January 25 2010 at 3:57pm |
In that case I would use the 3 footers then. PAR won't be such a big deal because MH will be used.
Just use some ATI Blue Plus bulbs. Don't waste money or time on the T5 actinic bulbs. PAR is terrible and the color isn't as good as the T12 VHO Super Actinics.
edit - it will also be brighter when you add the T5's and may look funny using shorter bulbs. Then again I like it a little darker on the edges, adds some depth.
Edited by Ryan Thompson - January 25 2010 at 4:00pm
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DanhNgo
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Posted: January 25 2010 at 9:03pm |
Ryan,
I'm saving up for the 5' 10X80 watt ATI Powermodule. I'm going to Ca this spring and stopping by Reef Geek for it. What bulb confirguration would you recommend? I like to see my coral color pop out more.
thanks,
Danh
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200 Gal Reef
25 Gal Nano Reef
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Ryan Thompson
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Posted: January 25 2010 at 9:18pm |
Danh,
Please refer to this thread:
I don't want to hijack Dion's thread.
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Dion Richins
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Posted: January 25 2010 at 9:32pm |
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Your fine Ryan. I got to my mixture on my tek5's buy buying and buying some more. I apreciate your opinions and will follow suit.
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Dion Richins
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Posted: January 26 2010 at 1:18am |
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Ryan, Do you buy these ATI bulbs local or are you ordering them. If so from who?
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Ryan Thompson
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Posted: January 26 2010 at 1:28am |
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i get mine from either reef runners or usually reefgeek.
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Ryan Thompson
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Posted: February 07 2010 at 10:10pm |
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How's the Sunpower doing Dion?
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Dion Richins
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Posted: February 07 2010 at 11:44pm |
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Love the fixture, hate the color. Its way to blue for me. Ryan (AD) has the Geismann in stock so I will start playing with bulbs.
Edited by Dion Richins - February 08 2010 at 12:29am
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Ryan Thompson
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Posted: February 08 2010 at 1:17am |
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What bulbs are you running?
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Dion Richins
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Posted: February 08 2010 at 1:38am |
The ones you recomended, from reef geek 
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Ryan Thompson
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Posted: February 08 2010 at 1:41am |
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What bulbs do you run on your Tek fixtures?
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