ATI Powermodule vs Giessmann Aurora Hybrid vs LED

[OneWhoPokesBears]

So I was lucky and the wife has let me upgrade our system. We got a great deal on a new 130, so I need to upgrade my current lighting. My 65 had a gen 3 xr30 on it, but I was having trouble with sps with shading.

The way I've figured it, I'd need at least 3 radions/a360's on the new 5' tank to get somewhere near the proper coverage. And with the ATI and BRS Black Friday sales, I could get the hybrid fixtures at a nice discount. So help me decide, I'm leaning towards the hybrids, but am not sure which way I'd go, and I'd like to make a decision soon.

All thoughts are appreciated.

 

[gus6464]

They are kind of 2 different type of units. The aurora has a better LED section while the ati has a better t5 section. What's more important to you?

 

[Staggs]

Not sure you can really go wrong between the two Hybrids.

 

[OneWhoPokesBears]

I'm really wanting to try and get into more sps. Will still have zoas and euphyllias, but sticks are in my mind.

That said, I hesitate on the ATI because 8 bulbs seems like a lot to replace, even if they are staged to replace 2 at a time. But the BRS clown harem tank looks amazing with the power module.

I hesitate on the Giessmann because of the lack of iOS app availability. I'm leaning Giessmann though, IMO.

I like my current radion, I just feel like if I got 2 more, I could still have the shadowing issues and would end up supplementing with t5 down the road.

 

[mcarroll]

@Caliwagon, I would implement an LED system with coverage that suites your taste rather than "going backward" into a bulb-replacement scenario.

Since shadows are part and pacel with the experience, it sounds like spotlights are not for you.

Take a look at an LED strip solution rather than implementing LED's in spotlights and then fighting the natural effects from that.

GHL's Lightbar2 and CurrentUSA's Orbit Pro and Orbit IC are some great options that come with controllers.

Even "cluster strips" like the ATI Sirius, Maxspect Razor, Kessil AP700 and others should do well for you.

Hamilton Technology and others make some really nice dimmable strips, but a controller of some sort is required for effects like sunrise/sunset, etc.

I you really wanted to keep cutting against the grain to use the LED options in your poll, I'd go with more, smaller fixtures to cut down on the shadows....it'll help, just don't have great expectations until you have something like the "cluster strips".

Four 360's, in other words. ;)

 

[gus6464]

At the end of the day both the ATI and Giesemann will do whatever you want. If I had to choose I would go Aurora as I like the diode composition of the LED pucks more. Also the Aurora is closer to 50/50 T5/LED. The ATI is more like 80/20 T5/LED.

 

[OneWhoPokesBears]

@Caliwagon, I would implement an LED system with coverage that suites your taste rather than "going backward" into a bulb-replacement scenario.

Since shadows are part and pacel with the experience, it sounds like spotlights are not for you.

Take a look at an LED strip solution rather than implementing LED's in spotlights and then fighting the natural effects from that.

GHL's Lightbar2 and CurrentUSA's Orbit Pro and Orbit IC are some great options that come with controllers.

Even "cluster strips" like the ATI Sirius, Maxspect Razor, Kessil AP700 and others should do well for you.

Hamilton Technology and others make some really nice dimmable strips, but a controller of some sort is required for effects like sunrise/sunset, etc.

I you really wanted to keep cutting against the grain to use the LED options in your poll, I'd go with more, smaller fixtures to cut down on the shadows....it'll help, just don't have great expectations until you have something like the "cluster strips".

Four 360's, in other words. ;)

Very insightful.

I thought about running multiple fixtures for better coverage, but I have to watch how many plugs I have for the system. I can't run the outlet for the system on a dedicated circuit without having to spend another $1500 to have it put in. So the idea of 1 plug is a bonus right now.

 

[mcarroll]

I think most of the strips and "cluster strips" would fit the one-plug rule...

But none of the Kessil, Hamilton or Radion types.

 

[Broadfield]

I was in the same boat as you. As you know, I ended up going with the Aurora because I think it looks so darn good compared to the ATI metal box. Also, the software works just fine from a MAC... I don't really have any complaints. Giesemann actually just released the official software, for the Aurora, for Android. Windows and MAC should be coming soon. The Futura BT software works just fine for now though.

 

[OneWhoPokesBears]

I was in the same boat as you. As you know, I ended up going with the Aurora because I think it looks so darn good compared to the ATI metal box. Also, the software works just fine from a MAC... I don't really have any complaints. Giesemann actually just released the official software, for the Aurora, for Android. Windows and MAC should be coming soon. The Futura BT software works just fine for now though.

You're tank @Broadfield is a big reason why I looked at the Giessmann. And with that, I pulled the trigger on it earlier today. Went with the similar set up and bought the 48" for the 60" tank.

 

[Jimbo662]

You're tank @Broadfield is a big reason why I looked at the Giessmann. And with that, I pulled the trigger on it earlier today. Went with the similar set up and bought the 48" for the 60" tank.

Great choice! I went from Radions to the Aurora and couldn't be happier. My tank is mainly LPS but I do have a purple stylo and birdsnest and both have crazy polyp extension.

 

[Broadfield]

You're tank @Broadfield is a big reason why I looked at the Giessmann. And with that, I pulled the trigger on it earlier today. Went with the similar set up and bought the 48" for the 60" tank.

Well sweet! Just hit me up if you have any questions on programming etc.