Questions for anyone who has upgraded from a T5 Tek-Light to an ATI Powermodule

[trilinearmipmap]

I am considering the upgrade to a four-foot 8-bulb PowerModule along with a general upgrade to flow etc. in shifting a 120 gallon mixed reef gradually more towards SPS.

1. Can I use the same hanging wires as my Tek-Light is on? I don't want to drill more holes in my ceiling.

2. Is it worth spending over a thousand bucks plus tax for one of these? Is there a significant improvement to light output, coral growth and coloration compared to a Tek-Light or is it just hype?

[BlueTang<3]

well i never had a tek light but i gt the 60 inch 8X80W and wow what a light stuff i had in other tanks for 6 months only a couple heads within 3 weeks like 5 heads on frags of lps it is crazy but remember to acclimate to lighting if you upgrade i may of bleached my torch on the bottom of a 24 inch tank with the light 10" above tank in 4 hours of first running it

[trilinearmipmap]

OK I will look out for a sale on these around Boxing Day and maybe get one if I can save 10% or so, otherwise I am toying with the idea of an Aquillumination LED system, I am not sure if it makes sense to spend $1200.00 on a nice system (PowerModule) or $3000.00 on LED's.

[staceyd72]

Hi,

I would get the Powermodule over the LED's. I have/had both(PM and Solaris), try to find some SPS tanks running exclusively LED's and some running Powermodule's, you'll have better luck with the latter.

I've never had a Tek, but I'm certain that the PM is heavier, if your mounts in the ceiling are in studs then it 'should' be OK for the PM. The PM's come with mounting hardware(wires) minus wall/ceiling plugs.

I now have a 10x80W PM and my Solaris sits in the garage, I may use it for a FOWLR or a LPS tank in the future.

[trilinearmipmap]

Originally Posted by staceyd72

Hi,

I would get the Powermodule over the LED's. I have/had both(PM and Solaris), try to find some SPS tanks running exclusively LED's and some running Powermodule's, you'll have better luck with the latter.

I've never had a Tek, but I'm certain that the PM is heavier, if your mounts in the ceiling are in studs then it 'should' be OK for the PM. The PM's come with mounting hardware(wires) minus wall/ceiling plugs.

I now have a 10x80W PM and my Solaris sits in the garage, I may use it for a FOWLR or a LPS tank in the future.

Thanks for the advice, it is probably advice I should follow.

I am well aware of the Solaris saga having read lots of threads about it on RC.

The Aquaillumination company seems to have a better system with higher output LED's as far as I can see.

However it would probably be wise to wait a few years for the price of LED units to come down, the output to go up and the reliability to improve.

[JMes]

kjk