Aquactinic's Constellation Vs. ATI's Sunpower

[Tetrarch]

I'm likely going to be doing a tank upgrade in the near future to a 120 Gallon(48"x24"x24") and will need new lights. I've decided to go with T5's and have narrowed it down to the Aquactinics Constellation(7 bulb) or the ATI Sunpower(6 bulb). My aim is a mixed reef with a focus on SPS, I'd like to be able to grow any SPS 2/3 down, with lots of LPS and some softies on the bottom 1/3 and sand bed.

Will the Sunpower provide enough coverage width-wise or would six bulbs be insufficient?
From what I've read the Aquactinics provide a little more PAR and water penetration, is this worth it even if losing front to back coverage, will the Aquactinics provide the PAR I need at the levels I need?
Would you suggest any different fixtures/lighting systems?

 

[reefer10]

Hi, I have an Aquactinics constellation. And as far as t5's I think it is a very good match for a 120 gal. That is the same size I had my light on. I think it will work perfect.

 

[JGoslee]

I'm actually also in the process of upgrading my lights for my 120gal. The best deal I found was the ATI SunPower 8 bulb fixture at reefgeek. It comes with your choice of bulbs and free shipping.

http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5...nPower_T5_High-Output_Fixture_w!_Bulbs_by_ATI

 

[phi delt reefer]

where did you hear the Aquantics unit provide more par?

From what I remember from my RC read the Aquantics units had really good reflectors but they didnt match or beat the ATI Powermodule. I think Aquantics units use Workhorse ballasts unless they changed that recently.

for a 24" wide tank get a 8 bulb sunpower - the powermodule has about 5% more par and only uses more fans because its a more compact unit therefore requires better thermal management to remove the heat.

 

[Tetrarch]

where did you hear the Aquantics unit provide more par?

From what I remember from my RC read the Aquantics units had really good reflectors but they didnt match or beat the ATI Powermodule. I think Aquantics units use Workhorse ballasts unless they changed that recently.

for a 24" wide tank get a 8 bulb sunpower - the powermodule has about 5% more par and only uses more fans because its a more compact unit therefore requires better thermal management to remove the heat.

Ahhh, sorry about the confusion, it was pretty late when I wrote this. I heard the ATI's provide more par.

Does Reefgeek ship to Canada?

 

[Just Clownin Around]

theres another supplier that does canada that might give you a better price but reefgeeks service is worth the few extra bucks it might cost you

 

[EVReef3]

I heard the ATI will give you better pAr though the Aquatic C are pretty good fixtures. I am in the process of going back to all T5's and im stuck with the same problem.
Mt tank is a standard 90, and will be mostly sps with lps and some softies near the bottom. Im not sure if i need 6 or 8 bulb.

Im stuck between ATI 6x54 sunpowe, 7 bulb aquatic Constellation or the ATI 8x54w sunpower.

for you i would think a 8 bulb would be better but def ATI

 

[phi delt reefer]

get an 8 bulb sunpower.

I have it shipped to the border than pick it up from there. I am about 45 minutes from a postal outlet in Port Huron, MI. You can ask for a shipping quote from ReefGeek but its a heavy fixture so expect to pay. Make a day trip across the border with the family and pick up the light then :)

John at North American Fish Breeders (NAFB) has ATI bulbs for $20 bucks right now but when you buy the ATI unit from REEF GEEK you get a 20 percent discount when buy the fixture with bulbs. I would do that.

 

[reefer10]

The constellation does use Sylvania ballasts. The cooling I think is not as good as the powermodule. But the cooling seems similar to the sunpower. So, I think the constellation would be about right in between the 6-8 bulb sunpower. So brighter than the 6 bulb but not as bright as the 8 bulb.

 

[solitude127]

I have an 8 bulb over my 30" wide tank and it's plenty of light. I think the number of bulbs depends on your aquascaping. I have a peninsula style and all my rocks are about 3 - 5" off the glass all the way around.
Will the light hung as a fixture or inside a canopy? If hung as a fixture and your tank is 48" and you went with a 8x54 ATI SP and hung the fixture 6" above, you'd get A LOT of bleaching of corals, even SPS. So what you could do is raise the fixture some so there not so much PAR going in the tank but when you raise the fixture, you'll get A LOT of light spillage over the sides. Not a problem if the tank sits by itself, but if the tank is next to a couch... the person sitting there might get a tan.
If hung as a fixture, IMO your tank would do really well with a 8x39w ATI SP. I have a 8x54w PM over my 60" tank. I can easily keep LPS and some low light SPS out to the side.