Difference Between MH and ATI T5 Sunpower

[MimicOcto8]

Hey everyone just wanted to post some pictures of the difference going from 2 150w MH and 2 T5 bulbs to a Sunpower 6 bulbs at 54w each fixture.

I take periodic pictures of every coral in my tank so that I can monitor growth rates, patterns and colors. The first pic of each one of these corals that i post here was under the MH fixture and the second pic of the same coral is under the T5 fixture.

10/14/2010

02/16/2011

10/19/2010

02/16/2011

11/30/2010

02/16/2011

11/30/2010

02/16/2011

11/30/2010

02/16/2011

 

[Alattner]

holy **** MimicOcto8 when you told me the color on the t5s was better you really weren't joking. looks like you have no problem keeping sps in your tank with the t5s?

 

[MimicOcto8]

I had MH for 2 years and saw some good growth....as you can see, soon after upgrading to T5s I saw real true amazing growth

 

[cmcneil]

looks like your corals are respondiing well to the switch.i for one loved my ati sunpower when i had it,they are great fixtures that produce alot of light.imo you just cant beat a quality t-5 fixture like the sunpower for color and growth.

 

[MimicOcto8]

looks like your corals are respondiing well to the switch.i for one loved my ati sunpower when i had it,they are great fixtures that produce alot of light.imo you just cant beat a quality t-5 fixture like the sunpower for color and growth.

+1 on that bud

 

[Alattner]

ya its really like night and day difference in color and growth. what bulbs are you running in your t5 setup

 

[dougers31]

Ok, I for sure am going to be ordering a 4 bulb ati t5 fixture this week. Thanks for posting those shots!

 

[MimicOcto8]

front to back

aquablue special
blue+
true actinic
aquablue special
true actinic
blue+

 

[MimicOcto8]

Ok, I for sure am going to be ordering a 4 bulb ati t5 fixture this week. Thanks for posting those shots!

My pleasure Buddy! what size tank do you have? or how deep and wide is it?

 

[EVReef3]

Hey I am so glad to see these results. What size tank is it? I just ordered the same fixture for my 90 gal. Do you have any full tank shots? Also, what bulb combo r u using and how many inches off the tank is the fixture?

Edit: srry I was still posting when u posted ur bulb combo.

 

[Alattner]

looks like your corals are respondiing well to the switch.i for one loved my ati sunpower when i had it,they are great fixtures that produce alot of light.imo you just cant beat a quality t-5 fixture like the sunpower for color and growth.

ya thats what i am figuring out MimicOcto8 has done a great job. i always amused that mh were better cuz it seems that what most people have but after tonight i am going to get a 6 bulb t5 fixture for my 90

 

[Alattner]

front to back

aquablue special
blue+
true actinic
aquablue special
true actinic
blue+

awesome im writing that down right now haha i am thinking im going to go with a 6x48 fixture for my 90. i am assuming you use ati bulbs?

 

[MimicOcto8]

yes i use ATI bulbs.

WARNING!!!!!

ATI fixtures and bulbs are SUPER bright. acclimating your tank is a MUST for these lights. The fixture comes with hanging brackets only which makes it super clean and easy to adjust lighting.

Here is how i acclimated my tank.

raised the ATI fixture to 2ft above the top tank for 2 weeks.
lowered the ATI fixture to 1.5ft from the top of the tank for 2 weeks
lowered the ATI fixture to 1ft from the top of the tank for 1 week
now I have it about 6 to 8inches from the top of the tank.

 

[Alattner]

good advice i never even really thought about that but i guess that would be a pretty big shock on my corals and fish

 

[dougers31]

My pleasure Buddy! what size tank do you have? or how deep and wide is it?

Display will be 40breeder, and the frag/sump will probably be a 30 breeder.

 

[Alattner]

douger31 do you have any full tank shots with your t5 setup? what bulbs are you running?

 

[dougers31]

douger31 do you have any full tank shots with your t5 setup? what bulbs are you running?

Current tank is a 29 with a 150watt pendant metal halide(14k phoenix bulb).

 

[Alattner]

what happened to supporting your t5 fixture :squigglemouth: is that the same tank your had those acans in ?

 

[MimicOcto8]

alattner-yeah its a HUGE shock to the corals and fish. you'll lose all your corals or at least bleach them all if you dont properly acclimate them.

Dougers. 4bulb will be plenty.

Also wanted to let you guys know that there is a difference between T5 brands and ATI is top of the line. So dont expect the same results from other T5 brands....just FYI

 

[Alattner]

well right now i just have a simple 2x48 inch fixture running ATI but i will make sure to acclimate properly no point of spending all that money on a fixture just to lose my corals