ATI Sunpower + LED supplements?

[ksfulk]

I have a 60" ATI Sunpower (8X80w) fixture - and I really love the fixture. However, I am missing that LED shimmer and pop. I know that the Reefbrite LED supplements are nice, as they are similar in look to the fixture and they just bolt on. That said, Im curious as to which one people are using. There are several different types of these fixtures, and since Im not looking for more PAR - I assume that I want to avoid the white or 50/50s. That leaves the BLUE or the UVA - which one are people using for supplementation? And - do you install the reefbrites on the front of the ATI fixture or on the back? Is there another set of LED strips that anyone recommends?

 

[MaddyP]

I'm curious as well! Subscribing!

 

[ksfulk]

Bump!

 

[jedimasterben]

All of them will add pretty good amount of PAR (especially the XHO), not just the 50/50 strips. For your scenario you want the blue.

 

[nrupaw]

An XHO has pretty high PAR. you can check out the TECH version that has half the LEDs than that of the XHO. However with your ATIs you'll pretty much washout any pop or shimmer from the TECH version. XHO version, on the other hand would still hold its own with the ATI bulbs on. most folks attach the ReefBrite to the front of their ATIs

it all comes down to your application and how you want to use the LED

RapidLed is the only other company i know of that makes LEDs strips. http://www.rapidled.com/24-solderless-led-dimmable-actinic-supplement-kit/

They have a solder-less, dimmable kit too. pretty affordable. also you can pick and choose the LEDs you want in the kit. the ones they have are the same ones used by Aqua Illumination and Ecotech.

But i am finding that Rapidleds have no easy way of attaching to the Sunpower. you gonna have to make/design your own brackets.

 

[maidia]

When I got the MH+T5, I want more blue look so I built the strip myself with all Blue 3w Cree Leds with control timer (sunset/sunraise). Look very good but sorry I took down and go for Radion now.

 

[wangspeed]

I used 2 of these to supplement my T5:

https://www.21ledusa.com/category_s/1837.htm

 

[Sabellafella]

I have a 60" ATI Sunpower (8X80w) fixture - and I really love the fixture. However, I am missing that LED shimmer and pop. I know that the Reefbrite LED supplements are nice, as they are similar in look to the fixture and they just bolt on. That said, Im curious as to which one people are using. There are several different types of these fixtures, and since Im not looking for more PAR - I assume that I want to avoid the white or 50/50s. That leaves the BLUE or the UVA - which one are people using for supplementation? And - do you install the reefbrites on the front of the ATI fixture or on the back? Is there another set of LED strips that anyone recommends?

I took par readings from my powermodule with a vho and my dimmable sunpower with a tech. The vho pushes over double the par output. Tech checkedout from 180 to 220 at 14 inches away from strip, vho was over 400. Always always always get the actinic blue strip, its unbelievable and imo the best supplement led. The vho is just a tad bit brighter to the eye.
The tech is just a supplement for viewing really, i let my t5 bulbs do the work. But the vho gives the corals the extra mile for growth.

 

[ksfulk]

I took par readings from my powermodule with a vho and my dimmable sunpower with a tech. The vho pushes over double the par output. Tech checkedout from 180 to 220 at 14 inches away from strip, vho was over 400. Always always always get the actinic blue strip, its unbelievable and imo the best supplement led. The vho is just a tad bit brighter to the eye.
The tech is just a supplement for viewing really, i let my t5 bulbs do the work. But the vho gives the corals the extra mile for growth.

With the Tech fixture, do you still see the effect from adding the LED, or is it washed out by the T5 bulbs, as was stated above? Ideally, I'd like the shimmer of the LED fixture and to use them to transition to "night time" giving that uber blue fluorescence before the tank goes dark for the night. As my fixture is 60" and so is the tank, if I flood the tank with light, I wont be able (without some masterful manipulation of the aquascape keep much in the way of lower light corals - not too many things like 400+ PAR on the sandbed!

 

[Sabellafella]

With the Tech fixture, do you still see the effect from adding the LED, or is it washed out by the T5 bulbs, as was stated above? Ideally, I'd like the shimmer of the LED fixture and to use them to transition to "night time" giving that uber blue fluorescence before the tank goes dark for the night. As my fixture is 60" and so is the tank, if I flood the tank with light, I wont be able (without some masterful manipulation of the aquascape keep much in the way of lower light corals - not too many things like 400+ PAR on the sandbed!

If over 6 bulbs are running at100% then unfortunantly no =/. Only times throught the day i see the reefbrite, is for an hour in the morning and an hour at night. I can see the uber blue shimmer when the 2 bulbs go on also but anymore bulbs you can barely see it. I get about 330 spread in all exposed spots on my sandbed with the fixture 34 inches from it.

 

[ksfulk]

Oh well - still great information! Thanks to everyone thats chimed in. I think Ill keep my eyes open one but it'll be on the "nice to have, but not necessary" list

 

[stunreefer]

We have installed dozens of blue RBs for supplements; they're my go-to!

Here's my take:

• Tech's will grow coral on their own, obviously XHO's will too.
  
• Tech's used as supplements on tanks ~20" and shallower.
• XHO's used as supplements on tanks ~24" and deeper.
• We have had clients bleach coral with XHO's in shallow tanks (<24"). Do not recommend using XHO's on shallow tanks as supplements unless you're growing SPS on the substrate.
  
• Mounting on front of fixture is most common, but we generally install one on front and one on back. Sometimes right down the center

 

[ksfulk]

We have installed dozens of blue RBs for supplements; they're my go-to!

Here's my take:

• Tech's will grow coral on their own, obviously XHO's will too.
  
• Tech's used as supplements on tanks ~20" and shallower.
• XHO's used as supplements on tanks ~24" and deeper.
• We have had clients bleach coral with XHO's in shallow tanks (<24"). Do not recommend using XHO's on shallow tanks as supplements unless you're growing SPS on the substrate.
  
• Mounting on front of fixture is most common, but we generally install one on front and one on back. Sometimes right down the center

LOL - figures. My tank is 22" deep

 

[stunreefer]

LOL - figures. My tank is 22" deep

Perfect

If you want to keep corals like: acans, scolymia, favia, chalice, etc. I would go with Techs.

If you want to grow acros on the bottom, XHO.