Aquactinics Constellation vs. ATI Sunpower

[Dylan]

I am upgrading to a 48"x24"x24" 120 gallon tank and have narrowed down my choices to a light... I am going with T5s.

Should I get the 48" 7x54 Aquactinics Constellation or the 6x54 ATI sunpower? I have read that ATI has slightly better PAR, but the Constellation does have an extra 54 watt bulb. I want lots of SPS but I want to be able to keep a mixed reef, with softies and LPS on the bottom-middle, without cooking them.

The Aquactinics also comes in black, and the extra bulb gives me more color options. What opinions do you guys have on these?

 

[mike ftw]

aquatinics IMO, extra will help with that wide tank

 

[Dylan]

You don't think it will be overkill?

 

[foxyb]

Not over kill I had the constellation On a 75 an it was a bit too strong on a 120 it will be perfect

 

[Viva'sReef]

SonnyX uses the Constellation fixture...check out the Tank of the MOnth thread for his tank pics. It's a 110 around the same dimensions, and he has both LPS, and a huge SPS garden.

 

[Dylan]

I was looking at his exactly, which is why I want the Constellation. :D I know I will want that much SPS eventually, but only on the top for now... I can get a 6 bulb TEK elite for 200 cheaper than a 7 bulb Aquactinics, or for the same price as the Aquactinics I can get the 8 bulb TEK elite. My tank will be 4" deeper than SonnyX's, so should I get the 8 bulb TEK elite? The choices are so hard when the fixtures are so comparable..

 

[Dylan]

Scratch that... The 8 bulb TEK elite is actually 100 dollars cheaper than the 7 Bulb Aquactinics.

 

[chadfarmer]

I had a Constellation on my 120 but took it off and getting ready for my upgrade

you can buy a nice light or just get a tek

 

[Dylan]

I had a Constellation on my 120 but took it off and getting ready for my upgrade

you can buy a nice light or just get a tek

So what did you think about it? If you had to choose again would you get the 8 bulb TEK elite or the Constellation?

 

[chadfarmer]

no data on the tek elite

constellation has better reflectors and built like a tank

i have owned 2 tek lights and the par on them lowered after 15 mins because of no active cooling unless you add the glass and a fan your self

 

[amay121]

Get an ATI. Love mine. :)

 

[chadfarmer]

Get an ATI. Love mine. :)

glad you are happy, a local guy has had problems with his center 2 bulbs since he got it and it they work off and on when he gets new bulbs no matter what bulb he uses

its over a year old

 

[dieselab]

10x54 powermodule

 

[inactive]

10x54 powermodule

Pverpricedkill.

Love my TEK, have no problems.

 

[dieselab]

Pverpricedkill.

Love my TEK, have no problems.

not if you run the right combo:wink:

 

[inactive]

Don't get me wrong, I run almost all ATI bulbs.

 

[Dylan]

I can't go ATI, they're silver. :D

 

[inactive]

Then paint it. Or, hire someone to paint it.. if you can drop on a PM then you can afford to have it professionally painted as well :)