Experiences with ATI sunpower dimmable (8x54W)

Since I always get asked about my experience with the ATI sunpower dimmable as well as tips on programming, I decided to list a few thoughts here.

I have now been running the lamp since the set up of my tank (now 14 months) – here are my experiences:

Mounting: The included mounting is easy to install, however, you should of course work with appropriate wall anchors. Don’t forget the lamp has a significant weight!

Programming:

The display shows the actual date, time, current temperature in the lamp and the % numbers of channels. The display is kept sufficiently and clearly. It can be programmed in two different channels. One channel must be programmed for 6 bulbs and the other for 2 bulbs. So you’re able to to have a great blue phase – for more flexibility I would definitely need 3 channels.

The programming is quite simple – the display is arranged in two lines. Here, different targets in % are set and over the period between the bulbs are automatically dimmed continuously. This can be set separately for each of the two channels.

As an example, here’s my programming:

7:00 to 8:00: Blue phase 30% (channel 1) -> As I walk out of the house and wake up the fish just for feeding.

Dimming channel 1 (2x blue)

11:00 to 12:00 -> 100%

22:30 to 23:10: 100% -> 30%

23:10 to 00:10 -> 30% -> Off

Dimming channel 2 (main light)

12:00 to 12:30 -> 65%

12:30 to 19:00 -> 100%

21:30 -> Off

Noise and ventilation:

The sunpower is equipped with three fans which are speed controlled automatically and regulate the temperature. It will, according to the display, never warm up more than than 40 ° C. Here, I wonder where exactly is the sensor installed. The fans sit centrally on the lamp, the exhaust air is blown out only on one side. This means that one side is significantly warmer than the opposite side.

Important to mention is that the fans are not audible – even if both channels running at 100%.

In summary, I have the following experience after 9 months:

Positives:

– Solid and stylish finish aluminium look finish

– Display

– Automatic fan control / quiet working fans

– 2 dimming channels

Expandable:

– For normal users, 2 channels are quite ok, I would have liked at least 3

Not good:

– The Plexiglas unfortunately scratched quick while cleaning by the salt crystals. A scratch-resistant alternative would be appropriate.

The lamp has been running for about 14 months with ATI tubes (4x blue, actinic 1x, 3x white). Fpr testing reasons, I had one purple tube. This makes a beautiful light, but caused algae problems.

Generally, I’m a fan T5, miss a bit the ring-effects of HQI and LED but the colors are just fantastic!

The best blue light (fluorescence with the most) I get blue at 2x to 30%. At 100%, the blue tube is definitely too much light and too little blue.

[singlepic id=105 w=570 h=0 float=]

[singlepic id=107 w=570 h= float=]

[singlepic id=108 w=570 h= float=]

[singlepic id=106 w=570 h= float=]