ATI Powermodule v Sunpower

[dacaptain78]

I plan to upgrade my Tek light on my 50 gallon mixed reef to either an ATI Powermodule or Sunpower. Is the Powermodule worth the extra $300 over the Sunpower? Also, is it worthwhile to upgrade from a 6 bulb fixture to an 8 bulb fixture? I'm thinking the 8 bulb fixture will be overkill and just add to the cost of replacement bulbs, but what to see what other members think. Thanks.:splitspin

 

[anthony27]

I have the 6 bulb it is amazing

 

[JonnyJ]

hey!

i dont mean to drill leds in your head but have you thought about leds? In my opinion the amount you would be spending on the powermodule + bulb purchase + replacement in around 8-9 months would be around the same amount you could be spending on a quality led system.

i was just in your position. I couldn't justify spending that kind of cash on a t5 unit. i was stuck on the exact same decision your facing but went LED. but if your set on t5s then go for either. they both are a very good buy and look great.

the power module has a lot more fans and will run the bulbs at a higher wattage for a longer period of time because they are being cooled with a better cooling system.

 

[Alex]

both are good units, like stated the powermodule has fans and is mad of a much stronger (thicker) metal.

But I also went with LEDS.

 

[NYreefNoob]

on a 50g breeder the sunpower will be more then enough, owned both sunpower and currently have the powermodule, yes the powermodule is built much better, has much better active cooling and a better unit all around, now if i was buying new would i spend the extra ? NO. personally i would look into the tek elite fixture and save the $

 

[dacaptain78]

Johnny, what units did you get? I did give the LED's a look but the units I was interested in were still north of $1200 so I figured I'd stick with the T5's for now. Especially with the LED market advancing so quickly. I can get a SunPower up and running for half that. Even with the power savings and bulb replacement costs it will take time to even out the cost difference.

Thanks NYReefNoob. The Tek Elite looks good too, but I want to try out a new brand. Plus I can get the ATI SunPower for $60 more so the price difference is not too high.

 

[NYreefNoob]

u have to hang the ati fixture's, they dont have legs or mounting brackets, but they have been the best out of all the t5's fixture's ive had

 

[dacaptain78]

I built a canopy so I am going to put the fixture in that. Just need to apply the Polyurethane to finish the job. Guess I'll be stinking up my basement soon. That always makes the wife happy, lol.

 

[Wes]

Inside a canopy you should go with a retrofit kit and some nice fans.

 

[JonnyJ]

Well i was leaning towards a few different companies but ended up finding a used 24" PFO solaris i5 and i could not be happier. controllability is amazing and i love the light output. I got a great deal form warren !


For my tank [36x18x12h] i would have had to get two modular units or go for 1 acan. if your using a 50 breeder your somewhere in the same ballpark.

Acan,Pac sun, & AI are all reputable .... I was leaning more towards the ai because of the upgradability they offer. all three offer great replacement and warranties and are good people to deal with.


The ATI is a proven workhorse so i guess the price can be justified by some. If you already have lights and are stuck on the t5s i would personally wait for someone joining the led craze to put there ati for sale in the used department on here or RC. I dont think spending that much for brand new is a good investment with the LED advancement.

Why are you upgrading your lights anyway? are you not happy with the fixture u currently run? color-wise? or growth?

A lot of led reviews are all over the place. But i sat down and said to myself these are really the only 3 companies i would deal with right now.

T5

600 ish upfront
6-8 bulbs replacement 8-9 months later
amount to run the fixture monthly.

And figured after two years it would pretty much pay for itself. was looking at around 1100 for two modular units from ai...and said to myself ...ok subtract the initial upfront 600 from it and i only have to come out of pocket another 500 which between bulb replacement and cost to run it will pay itself off. Plus 50k life on leds and controllability. i love it. sunrise sunset is great.

even if it will take time to even out the upfront cost it will pay off and thats what was important.


personally i would suggest if you have the money to spend the extra upfront go with led. or just stick with your lights for now until the led prices go down or some other reputable company comes out with leds that intrest you in your price range..

 

[NYreefNoob]

ati cannot go inside a canopy unless you cut the ens out where the fans pull air in on the side of the fixture and you will need to cut a big hole in the top of canopy for the heat to vent out otherwise you will burn the ballast out of it

 

[dacaptain78]

ati cannot go inside a canopy unless you cut the ens out where the fans pull air in on the side of the fixture and you will need to cut a big hole in the top of canopy for the heat to vent out otherwise you will burn the ballast out of it

Damn. Was just on RC and saw the same thing. Back to the drawing board. Thanks for letting me know. Well it's LED's or I'm sticking with what I got.

 

[dacaptain78]

Well i was leaning towards a few different companies but ended up finding a used 24" PFO solaris i5 and i could not be happier. controllability is amazing and i love the light output. I got a great deal form warren !


For my tank [36x18x12h] i would have had to get two modular units or go for 1 acan. if your using a 50 breeder your somewhere in the same ballpark.

Acan,Pac sun, & AI are all reputable .... I was leaning more towards the ai because of the upgradability they offer. all three offer great replacement and warranties and are good people to deal with.


The ATI is a proven workhorse so i guess the price can be justified by some. If you already have lights and are stuck on the t5s i would personally wait for someone joining the led craze to put there ati for sale in the used department on here or RC. I dont think spending that much for brand new is a good investment with the LED advancement.

Why are you upgrading your lights anyway? are you not happy with the fixture u currently run? color-wise? or growth?

A lot of led reviews are all over the place. But i sat down and said to myself these are really the only 3 companies i would deal with right now.

T5

600 ish upfront
6-8 bulbs replacement 8-9 months later
amount to run the fixture monthly.

And figured after two years it would pretty much pay for itself. was looking at around 1100 for two modular units from ai...and said to myself ...ok subtract the initial upfront 600 from it and i only have to come out of pocket another 500 which between bulb replacement and cost to run it will pay itself off. Plus 50k life on leds and controllability. i love it. sunrise sunset is great.

even if it will take time to even out the upfront cost it will pay off and thats what was important.


personally i would suggest if you have the money to spend the extra upfront go with led. or just stick with your lights for now until the led prices go down or some other reputable company comes out with leds that intrest you in your price range..

The canopy I built will impede the performance of the ATI units so they are out. Thanks to NYReefNoob for pointing this out. I could modify my canopy but I would still be left with a gaping ventilation hole on the side and it would look ugly, IMO.

I need to do a little more research into the LED's. So do you think two of the AI Modules would do the trick on my tank (36x18x18), or would I need three?

 

[NYreefNoob]

mine is in a canopy really isnt a issue i have fans on the left side of the canopy and cut out the right side, some simple speaker screen or mesh doesnt look bad covering it and still allows air flow, really no t5 fixture should be in a canopy unless it is vented properly, a led fixture i will reccomend on a tank that size is the maxspect g2 170w it is 3' long and will be more then enough light for anything you want to keep in the tank

 

[dacaptain78]

The top 7-8 inches on the back of the canopy is open for ventilation/air circulation. I did not anticipate needing side vents as well. I could still modify the canopy so it will work with the ATI, but I'm lazy. I blame the cold weather, lol.

I will check out the maxspect. Took a brief look at them the other day while I was contemplating new lights. Got to check the Acan lights too I guess.