ATI t5 fixtures

[txg8gxp]

The ATI powermodule fixtures seem to have the highest par rating, but are they really worth the extra money? There is a big price difference between say a ATI powermodule and a TEK Elite.

[Regric25]

Im going to be getting the Tek Elite. Looks good and has fans now. The ATI is very sexy looking but I don't think it is worth the money compared to the Tek. I think in time the price will come down. Let me know what fixture you go with...

[clone]

I have seen a ATI PM in person, very slick looking, felt no heat at the water surface, you can tell that- that extra money was spent on it.

TEK fixture, I own one. It looks nice, but not as nice as a PM or sunpower, but I feel no heat at the water surface, I added two fans blowing across the top and the bulbs burn just as bright as a ATI fixture. Now my bulbs might not last as long as one of those ATI fixtures but thats all the money I had at that time.

Now for the TEK Elite, it has internal fans, not as many as an ATI, but still has fans in it.

If I had to buy another T5 fixture I would buy the Elite, just because of the price differences. With the money I have just saved by going this route I would then buy extra bulbs to play with different combos.

[clone]

Now lets see what someone that has an ATI fixture has to say.

[txg8gxp]

I'm thinking the elite is the better buy now that it has better reflectors and fans.

[clone]

forgot to metion about the reflectors, they arent that much different.

[Europhyllia]

I have an ATI Sunpower and love it. All I have to compare it to was the generic t5 fixture I had before though.
I think the Sunpower is a great option when you want the ATI quality without forking over the powermodule cash.
I am very happy with mine. I really like everything about it. Even the mounting is wonderful. So convenient to have it hover right above the water most of the time but then easily adjust it up for maintenance, etc. and the steel wires are so thin - not distracting at all.
Changing bulbs out is a breeze and it's so much easier to clean than the the generic fixture I had. I've never seen the TEK fixtures so can't compare the two.
I use primarily ATI bulbs so I figured the ATI fixture would be the best fit for the bulbs I use.
Somehow it ends up super bright though. I had to add more blue bulbs or wear sun glasses. The white sand was just so glaring.

[clone]

stay with something you can trust. Karin trusts in ATI bulbs, so why not get the fixture to go with the bulbs.

[Gseclipse02]

i remember looking at one of the ATI fixtures and was kind of lost here is a high dollar fixture but you talk to people they all say spend the money on a nice reflector and it has a giant solid one piece reflector not individual styled i was lost on that part ?? is it a good reflector or was it used to keep it slick looking?

[txg8gxp]

The ATI fixture's say they have individual reflectors.

[Europhyllia]

I am not sure what you mean with that JT. Each bulb is surrounded by 3 sides of silver coated alu individual reflectors. The are very closely spaced and overlap at the tip so yes it does look like a one piece reflector I guess. I think it's more of a matter of spacing the bulbs as close together as possible rather than make it sleek looking?

[txg8gxp]

The ATI fixtures are not as wide as a TEK, But that is kinda nice.

[saabtech]

i sure do wonder why your not looking at leds....... j/j

[txg8gxp]

$$$$$$

[clone]

having that little extra space to twist those bulbs is nice.

[Europhyllia]

ATi is super easy to change bulbs (changing 5ft bulbs in the old fixture was a PITA)
Someone mentioned heat. I do feel heat coming off the fixture when all bulbs are on and have a small fan on a cabinet nearby aimed at the tank. I figured with several 80w bulbs side by side a little heat was normal.

[ReefCube]

you could end up gettin the TEC.. if you want to kick yourself later and end up buying the ATI but then again what you ask to ask yourself is what do I want to keep in my tank? If you want to do mostly sps I would say you get what you pay for on the ATI

[Big_Pun]

i say go MH hang up a nice pendent, im very happy with mine ive done T5 and yes the color combos are nice but i love the growth im getting and the "SHIMMER", also with a open top i dont have any heat issues i dont even run any fans at all not even in my fuge, temp is always at 77-78, remeber my tank is the same footprint yours is just 1 inch shorter, you need to swing by and check it out

[Europhyllia]

Price difference between TEK and ATI Sunpower doesn't seem that huge especially when you consider that all the stuff that comes with the ATI is charged extra on the TEK (hanging kit -$25, acrylic shield - $45, etc.)
Like my set up as a ATI Sunpower is $620, If I bought everything extra to get the same with a TEK fixture I'd pay $590 - $30 that's not worth mulling about.

[fishypets]

Do some research on the Grimreefers site and you'll see that the ATI P.M. is way above the rest of the fixtures with the Sun Power coming in second.

I own a P.M. and honestly my problem with the fixture is it's waaaayyyy too much light! My corals are still recovering from two months ago when I replaced the bulbs. It's really a beast!

[clone]

i have that same problem with the too brightness, i have to slowly move my sps up. if i had to do it again, i would stay with my tek but go 6 bulb instead of 8.

[txg8gxp]

Good...I like bright lights...


I own a P.M. and honestly my problem with the fixture is it's waaaayyyy too much light! My corals are still recovering from two months ago when I replaced the bulbs. It's really a beast!