6 or 8 bulb, dimmable or non dimmable. HELP!

[duncangweller]

Hi all,

I'm looking for a nudge in the general direction of an ATI fixture and I can't convince myself of which one to go for.

I plan on buying a 55 gallon tank (36Lx20Hx18W) and want to get an ATi fixture to go above it.

I know that most would normally say 'the more bulbs the merrier' but is it really needed? I'm thinking, although it wouldn't be a tonne of difference, if I don't need 8 bulbs then why bother paying for the extra electricity and bulb costs if it isn't needed.

So I guess my question is, for an sps tank of that size would you go 6 or 8 bulb?

Now onto part 2......

Dimmable or non dimmable?

I like the dimmable for the single reason that it uses one plug for both circuits and fans. The non-dimmable uses a plug for each of the two light circuits and then a third plug for the fans.

However, with the price difference between the two I could buy an eb4 and the non-dimmable and the plug issue is a moot point plus I would now have an extra outlet spare. I don't think I would even use the dimmable feature anyway.

Let me know what you would do and help me stop internal dialogue in my head as to what to do.

Muchos gracias,
Dunc

[FishyFishy!]

Go 8 bulb and non-dimmable. You can never go wrong with the extra two bulbs for color configuration and you can just raise the fixture higher above the water instead of dimming.

[Danmcauley]

Agree, 8 bulb, non-dimming.
Their 8 bulb fixture is almost 18" wide. The dimming can be a cool feature, but not needed, and maybe not worth the $$. If an 8 bulb is too bright, raising the fixture, or just using an old bulb or two can mellow it out.

[Bugger]

The dimmable only wastes bulb life

[Wheelman76]

Originally Posted by Bugger

The dimmable only wastes bulb life

Proven?

[Wheelman76]

8 bulb for sure though Duncan , more bulb combos and just better coverage. If it wasn't going to be an sps dominant tank then maybe a 6 bulb would do. Or another option is to go with the 6 bulb and add a Reefbright strip. I just ordered a Reefbright and it will be here on Tuesday. I'll let you know how it works when it gets here.

[Bugger]

Originally Posted by Wheelman76

Proven?

You have to know what your doing. To break the bulbs in there a trick I don't know what it is try reef2reef otherwise your bulbs last only 6 months or so

[davej]

Originally Posted by Bugger

You have to know what your doing. To break the bulbs in there a trick I don't know what it is try reef2reef otherwise your bulbs last only 6 months or so

Just need to run bulbs at 100% for about 50 hours. That will break them in and then it's fine to dim them.


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[Myka]

Fwiw, I love he dimming feature on my ATI. I have 6 bulbs on 21" wide tank. Plenty of light. I get 250 PAR on the sand (19" water, 21" tank height, fixture is 4" off the water).

[Ryanerickson]

8 bulb Dunc I am running 6-48" t5s it's lots of light but sps will appreciate more. I've added 2 ai sols for more blue at night plus a 250 halide in the middle for me 6 was not enough, did i mention the tank is only 12" deep par must be way up there.