question for ati fixture users

TDTA1181 · Oct 4, 2014

I'm interested in getting the 48'' dimmable fixture for my tank. I have a canopy on my tank and the light would be around 8-10'' from the water. Is this too close for this fixture even though its dimmable? I see alot of people hanging theirs a good ways off the surface of the water. My tank is sps dominate. I have a couple lps at the btm of the rock work and some zoe's also. I am leaning towards the 6 bulb fixture mainly b/c of bulb replacement costs vs. the 8 bulb fixture. I was hoping that the 6 bulb could support acros. I have 2 gen 2 radion's that are awesome for the controlability and all the stuff you can do w/ them but i've had t5's b'f and was able to grow acro's a good bit better. I had a buddy that got a 60'' non-controllable fixture and almost burnt all his acro's up. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Mark426 · Oct 4, 2014

I run my ATI Dimmable 4.5 Inches from the water line. Been doing it for over a year. I run 2 lamps for 2 hours for sunrise then they go off then other 4 lamps come on for 8 hours, at the end of 8 hours they go off and the 2 lamps come back on for 2 hours dimming down at the end of sunset. I learned this from one of the prettiest SPS tanks I have seen. Works for me.

P.S. If I run all 6 lamps it bleaches some of my SPS.

creefer · Oct 4, 2014

Mark426 said:
I run my ATI Dimmable 4.5 Inches from the water line. Been doing it for over a year. I run 2 lamps for 2 hours for sunrise then they go off then other 4 lamps come on for 8 hours, at the end of 8 hours they go off and the 2 lamps come back on for 2 hours dimming down at the end of sunset. I learned this from one of the prettiest SPS tanks I have seen. Works for me.

P.S. If I run all 6 lamps it bleaches some of my SPS.

With this schedule and phasing, what kind of bulb combo are you using?

Mark426 · Oct 5, 2014

A very simple setup. I have tried several combos and found I like - 2 Blue+ for sunrise/sunset and 2 Blue+, 2 Coral + for the other 4.

jeremy · Oct 5, 2014

I run an 8 bulb non dimmable over my 120. It's 10 inches from water surface and I cannot keep lps. They bleach. Strong light. I run 2 bulbs 1 hours and the daylights 6 hours. Combo is 5 blue plus 2 coral plus a day 1 aqua blue special.