help! which light do i get

[d_adler]

so im going to be starting a new build and i need some advice on lights. i have a 36x18x18 tank being delivered and im stuck on lighting. i know i want a ati but im not sure if i should get a regular sunpower or dish out a little more to get the dimmable. but my bigger issue is will a 4 bulb be enough or do i get the 6 bulb??? the tank isnt deep so i could see where a 4 bulb would be sufficient but is the 4 bulb wide enough to cover the tank from front to back seeing as it is only 9" wide? This has been a on going battle so i would really appreciate some advice.

[NorthGaHillbilly]

I've got a 6 bulb, 24", over my tank, same footprint. I would go with the 36" 6 bulb, over the 4 bulb dimmable. Dimming will kill bulbs quicker in theory, and having 6 bulbs would be helpful imo

[Dramad1]

I have a 4x24x24 dim ati fixture over my cad34g. Fixture is 9 1/2" wide. Since the display in the cad tank is only 12" front to back, I have great coverage with no shadowing. Light is hung 9" above water line and tank depth is 16". Light has plenty of power to grow what ever. Dimmable is nice but not necessary and can actually reduce the bulb life if bulbs not broke in properly.

Based off the 4x24x24 ati fixture I have over my cad tank and the dimensions of your tank. I think the 4x24x24 may be just a hair small for your wants but I'm sure it could still work, may need to raise it up a lil higher for better spread but less par.

I would go with the ati 36" 4×39w fixture non dimmable or dimmable if you want to splurge and have that morning brightening effect and evening dimming effect, (sunrise/sunset).

The 6 bulb fixture may give you to much light spill over the front and back of tank but I am unsure as I have never had a 6 bulb fixture before. Im sure others can chime in on the 6 bulb.

Dimmable is nice but not necessary.

[plainrt]

I have a ati dimmable and haven't noticed dramatic difference in bulb life vs reg. I just did par test on almost year old bulbs in my dimmable and was still impressed. After having dimmable is never want a reg t5 setup again. Break in the bulbs as ati says and I don't think its a issue.

[d_adler]

I've got a 6 bulb, 24", over my tank, same footprint. I would go with the 36" 6 bulb, over the 4 bulb dimmable. Dimming will kill bulbs quicker in theory, and having 6 bulbs would be helpful imo

you dont think its over kill?? how high is the fixture off your water?

 

I have a 4x24x24 dim ati fixture over my cad34g. Fixture is 9 1/2" wide. Since the display in the cad tank is only 12" front to back, I have great coverage with no shadowing. Light is hung 9" above water line and tank depth is 16". Light has plenty of power to grow what ever. Dimmable is nice but not necessary and can actually reduce the bulb life if bulbs not broke in properly.

Based off the 4x24x24 ati fixture I have over my cad tank and the dimensions of your tank. I think the 4x24x24 may be just a hair small for your wants but I'm sure it could still work, may need to raise it up a lil higher for better spread but less par.

I would go with the ati 36" 4×39w fixture non dimmable or dimmable if you want to splurge and have that morning brightening effect and evening dimming effect, (sunrise/sunset).

The 6 bulb fixture may give you to much light spill over the front and back of tank but I am unsure as I have never had a 6 bulb fixture before. Im sure others can chime in on the 6 bulb.

Dimmable is nice but not necessary.

its actually going over a cad 50 long. im going to get dimmable because i like the fact of sunset and sunrise plus i can run them low for a night time effect. its going to be a mix tank and i dont want to underpower it by only getting a 4 bulb and not having complete coverage.

 

 

I have a ati dimmable and haven't noticed dramatic difference in bulb life vs reg. I just did par test on almost year old bulbs in my dimmable and was still impressed. After having dimmable is never want a reg t5 setup again. Break in the bulbs as ati says and I don't think its a issue.

 

 

whats the width of the tank and how many bulbs is the fixture?? i know im getting dimmable im just stuck on 6 or 4 bulb at this point

[plainrt]

36 inch 4 bulb on 36x18x12 tall. I'm digging up par readings from when had same fixture over 36x18x21 tall tank.

[NorthGaHillbilly]

It's a lot of light, but having the 6 bulbs let me run a lot of lower par bulbs if I want. I just recently switched it up some, I'm currently running 3 blue+ two actinics and one purple plus. The actinic don't add much par, but help me get the look I want

[plainrt]

That's a good point. More bulbs means more bulb options. One thing hate about 6 bulb though is look over the tank being so big.

 

 

 

57 rimless 36x18x21 with ati 4x39 dimmable with week old ati bulbs at full power.

1st number at 8 inches off water and next at 3 inches off water[/color]

 

 

1.PINKBIRDSNEST 300 410

2.BACK SPS BY WALL 300 440

3.BIG HAMMER 230 295

4.BUBBLE 180 210

5.FRONT RIGHT SAND 165 185

6.FRONT LEFT SAND 165 185

7.FINGER 200 205

8.CENTER SPS 400 580

9.RED CAP 390 530

10.CENTER SANDBED 210 215

11.BIG CHALICE 150 155

12.OCTOSPAWN 280 350

13.NUKES 180 185

14.TORCH CORAL ON BACK WALL 200 265

[Dramad1]

There is a 36" 6×39w in the classifieds right now. Not dimmable but still a good deal. Just was bumped an hour or so ago.

[d_adler]

That's a good point. More bulbs means more bulb options. One thing hate about 6 bulb though is look over the tank being so big.

 

 

 

57 rimless 36x18x21 with ati 4x39 dimmable with week old ati bulbs at full power.

1st number at 8 inches off water and next at 3 inches off water[/color]

 

 

1.PINKBIRDSNEST 300 410

2.BACK SPS BY WALL 300 440

3.BIG HAMMER 230 295

4.BUBBLE 180 210

5.FRONT RIGHT SAND 165 185

6.FRONT LEFT SAND 165 185

7.FINGER 200 205

8.CENTER SPS 400 580

9.RED CAP 390 530

10.CENTER SANDBED 210 215

11.BIG CHALICE 150 155

12.OCTOSPAWN 280 350

13.NUKES 180 185

14.TORCH CORAL ON BACK WALL 200 265

this is exactly what i needed to see. almost the exact dimensions.

 

It's a lot of light, but having the 6 bulbs let me run a lot of lower par bulbs if I want. I just recently switched it up some, I'm currently running 3 blue+ two actinics and one purple plus. The actinic don't add much par, but help me get the look I want

another good point. btw your tank looks awesome

[pgrVII]

http://www.nano-reef.com/topic/353677-ati-36-6x39w-sunpower-fixture/#entry4886839

 

There is a 36" 6×39w in the classifieds right now. Not dimmable but still a good deal. Just was bumped an hour or so ago.

[d_adler]

There is a 36" 6×39w in the classifieds right now. Not dimmable but still a good deal. Just was bumped an hour or so ago.

yeas i saw it yesterday and was considering taking the leap but i wasnt sure.

 

36 inch 4 bulb on 36x18x12 tall. I'm digging up par readings from when had same fixture over 36x18x21 tall tank.

if you could go back would you have still went with the 4 or have gotten the 6??

[plainrt]

Front to back coverage was pretty damn good with 4 bulb on that tank. Your numbers will be bit higher seeing that your tank 3 inches more shallow.

[plainrt]

yeas i saw it yesterday and was considering taking the leap but i wasnt sure.

if you could go back would you have still went with the 4 or have gotten the 6??

 

 

 

Nope I love my 4 a lot . I had many tanks this size and tried a 6 bulb at one point and didn't like it because of the look and the extra light spill etc. unless doing full blown sps tank and need little extra punch I would do the 4.

[d_adler]

Nope I love my 4 a lot . I had many tanks this size and tried a 6 bulb at one point and didn't like it because of the look and the extra light spill etc. unless doing full blown sps tank and need little extra punch I would do the 4.

considering mine will be 3 inches shorter and based off your par reading i think a 4 bulb will be good. thanks for the response and finding that picture. it really helped ease my mind.. looks like the end result is a 4 bulb dimmable ati

[plainrt]

I think will be very happy with it.