Help me decide
- Thread starter Arnaldo24
- Start date
I have the Sunpower 6 bulb 48" non-dimmable unit, and while I still haven't borrowed the par meter, but SPS I have that survive my water quality, look great.
Of course, the look of the corals greatly depend on the type of bulb you put in.
Pros Non- Dimmable:
-Costs 150$+ more just for the one function
-does everything else
-I honestly do not feel it is necessary since with the 6 bulb model, I can program 2 bulbs with the 'low light' but pretty characteristics for the 1st and last 2 hrs of the light cycle. I use the Purple bulb and Coral + mix because it's really pretty and makes the best 'pop'.
Then the Blue + come on afterwards and brighten everything up even more.
- need to adjust height for acclimation with the hanging kit instead of just using whatever dimming controls that comes with the light.
Do you need the VDM or something with Apex to control the dimming functions on the Apex controller?
If it's necessary, then that's extra cost.
If it is necessary but you already have it...then great, but the principle is the same
Cons-
You can't dim...so I guess if you wanted to or NEEDED to acclimate your coral, you would need to raise it or lower it. However, this is extremely easy and was not worth the extra $150 for me.
Lol, heck, I could buy more apex/etc crap for my tank instead.
Speaking of...I should try and borrow that par meter before the week is out.
Of course, the look of the corals greatly depend on the type of bulb you put in.
Pros Non- Dimmable:
-Costs 150$+ more just for the one function
-does everything else
-I honestly do not feel it is necessary since with the 6 bulb model, I can program 2 bulbs with the 'low light' but pretty characteristics for the 1st and last 2 hrs of the light cycle. I use the Purple bulb and Coral + mix because it's really pretty and makes the best 'pop'.
Then the Blue + come on afterwards and brighten everything up even more.
- need to adjust height for acclimation with the hanging kit instead of just using whatever dimming controls that comes with the light.
Do you need the VDM or something with Apex to control the dimming functions on the Apex controller?
If it's necessary, then that's extra cost.
If it is necessary but you already have it...then great, but the principle is the same
Cons-
You can't dim...so I guess if you wanted to or NEEDED to acclimate your coral, you would need to raise it or lower it. However, this is extremely easy and was not worth the extra $150 for me.
Lol, heck, I could buy more apex/etc crap for my tank instead.
Speaking of...I should try and borrow that par meter before the week is out.
I visit a member in jersey and i got a nice size milli colony and in his tank looked amazing in my tank with the leds looks totally different color
By the way im running 4 ai sol blue on my 48x30x24 tank. And i was looking into the 8 bulb fixture
What do u do for moon light??
By the way im running 4 ai sol blue on my 48x30x24 tank. And i was looking into the 8 bulb fixture
What do u do for moon light??
- Location
- poughquag, ny
non-dimmable, t5 really arent meant to be dimmed, plus all new bulbs you are suppose to run on full power first month to burn them in. lol and think you know my prefferance of t5 vs led
I don't have moonlights.
I thought about buying something separate and installing that into the canopy. If you were to hang the fixture from the ceiling... (I'll have to double check how you are hanging your LEDs) then...perhaps you can build a frame for the top and install strips of moonlight or hang some?
--Ahh, good idea on the 8 bulb, the dimensions of your tank is bigger than mine, the 6 bulb isn't wide enough.--
I would find out how many switches there are on the 8 bulb so you know how many separate light bulbs you can control. They have some T5 light bulbs that have LEDs in them that may be good for moonlight.
Just remember that it's all about the wavelengths of light and how the coral interacts with it and its environment.
That's why I try to not get too excited about color of coral.
Red in your tank might be orange yellow in mine.
Blue in mine might be purple in yours.
The best way may be to compare wavelengths of the bulb/fixture. Is it 430nm or 450nm? You know?
Lol, then what does the coral look like under the COMBINATION of T5 or LEDs!
Let's not even talk about clarity of the water!
I thought about buying something separate and installing that into the canopy. If you were to hang the fixture from the ceiling... (I'll have to double check how you are hanging your LEDs) then...perhaps you can build a frame for the top and install strips of moonlight or hang some?
--Ahh, good idea on the 8 bulb, the dimensions of your tank is bigger than mine, the 6 bulb isn't wide enough.--
I would find out how many switches there are on the 8 bulb so you know how many separate light bulbs you can control. They have some T5 light bulbs that have LEDs in them that may be good for moonlight.
Just remember that it's all about the wavelengths of light and how the coral interacts with it and its environment.
That's why I try to not get too excited about color of coral.
Red in your tank might be orange yellow in mine.
Blue in mine might be purple in yours.
The best way may be to compare wavelengths of the bulb/fixture. Is it 430nm or 450nm? You know?
Lol, then what does the coral look like under the COMBINATION of T5 or LEDs!
Let's not even talk about clarity of the water!
4 blue +, 1 coral+ and 1 purple.
I did a ton of google research i.e. all the reef boards and my findings were essentially:
blue+ bulbs should be the majority- high par and the blue is pleasing.
at least 1 purple to bring out the oranges and reds even more in the coral.
coral + gives some uv wavelength, par and good color all in one.
honestly, when my water quality is good, my colors look great (to my eyes) with this combo.
I did a ton of google research i.e. all the reef boards and my findings were essentially:
blue+ bulbs should be the majority- high par and the blue is pleasing.
at least 1 purple to bring out the oranges and reds even more in the coral.
coral + gives some uv wavelength, par and good color all in one.
honestly, when my water quality is good, my colors look great (to my eyes) with this combo.
- Location
- Mt Sinai, NY
I've had both. Non-dimmable and dimmable. Running an 8 bulb dimmable now.
Dimmable is great. Single plug, built in controller. Fan also ramps up and down with temp. As the bulbs ramp up or down, you can get a look that cannot be replicated with other lights.
Either light is great. 8 bulb minimum for your tank. 10 bulb is best if your 30" front to back. But they are only around in power modules I think.
Not sure if your running a canopy, but its not recommended with ATI due to cooling.
Dimmable is great. Single plug, built in controller. Fan also ramps up and down with temp. As the bulbs ramp up or down, you can get a look that cannot be replicated with other lights.
Either light is great. 8 bulb minimum for your tank. 10 bulb is best if your 30" front to back. But they are only around in power modules I think.
Not sure if your running a canopy, but its not recommended with ATI due to cooling.
I have both dimmable and non dimmable versions of ati and too be honest with you have never used the dimmable feature yet as for moonlights I use reef brites to add that punch I have both the Xho all blue aswell as regular all blue on my cube and all looks great colors are always poppin IMO t5's are the only way to go for best colors on a coral
- Location
- bronx
i was thinking of doing the same before i miss my t5 stupid question does t5 come in 72 inch i dont think ive ever seen that
- Location
- LBC (Long Beach, CA) formerly NYC
Id only get dimmable if my controller already supports dimming Sharkie!
And I dunno if this brand discloses the color temp but I'd go with 14k or bluer (ie 20K or actinic) in the majority of bulbs.
It would be nice if 420 (purpleish) are available! I've notice most of the LED and ATI actinics are in a 460ish DARK ROYAL BLUE rendition.
And I dunno if this brand discloses the color temp but I'd go with 14k or bluer (ie 20K or actinic) in the majority of bulbs.
It would be nice if 420 (purpleish) are available! I've notice most of the LED and ATI actinics are in a 460ish DARK ROYAL BLUE rendition.
- Location
- Mt Sinai, NY
I run on a 75 rimless
2 actinic
3 blue+
2 coral+
1 purple+
On your tank you might need to run different bulbs then the 2 actinics for more par
2 actinic
3 blue+
2 coral+
1 purple+
On your tank you might need to run different bulbs then the 2 actinics for more par
Last edited:
- Location
- Mt Sinai, NY
No. You could run a 60" or dual 36"
- Location
- New Jersey
Aranaldo thanks for the compliment the set up that u have is just like the guy from reefgeek told 6 blue plus 2 purple plus !! Growth is amazing the par you get from the blue plus is amazing and the 2 purple plus not far behind on par !! The the color speaks for its self good luck with your choice ! Post pic as soon as you get the it
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