Aquactinics 48" Constellation T5

[musky1963]

Okay, I have had it with my Coralife Lunar Aqualight. Actually, this is my 2nd one in 3 months. Lunar lights keep flickering for one and just not made very well IMHO. Anyways, I need to order some new lights and the Aquactinics 48" Constellation T5 have my interest. I realize they do not ship until Friday, but the 72" have been out for awhile. Anyone familiar with them? I currenly have a 75g with some corals, GSP, colt, tongue, zoas, shrooms, etc. Maybe plan on adding some acro, brains or hammers later on. Any input on these lights asap, would be great! I would like to order(hopefully today/tomm). Bulb suggestions/configuration is needed as well! Thanks in advance. Jeff

 

[daven]

Love to hear some opinions. I'm looking at the 72" myself.

 

[kodyboy]

I have a 36 inch 5xT5 39 watts and it is great! I have it over a 92 corner and I can grow SPS down to the sandbed. Great lights!

 

[vthondaboi]

I personally have the Soalr Flare and it's a great light.

A shop down in Houston has the 72" Constellation running and the colors are amazing!

 

[musky1963]

I will probably order today sometime, but not sure as of where yet. I would like to get the bulbs from the same outfit. Man, it sure can be confusing looking at all of the various bulbs! :crazy1: I wish they had moonlights tho

 

[daven]

Musky, read the T5 thread. Grim Reaper gives specific advice for the bulbs to buy and which order to place them.

 

[Henry Bowman]

I have an Aquactinics Solar Flare. I would highly recommend thier lights. When I thought I had a problem Tom at Aquactinics was very fast to respond. (I didnt have a bulb twisted all the way in). I love the light and would buy another if I had to do it all over again.

 

[AquaPython]

i have the 72" constellation for about a month and a half up and running and i am loving it so far! great brand, great light, almost unlimited color choices. set it up on a 7 phase dusk -> dawn effect

 

[daven]

Hi Aquapython,

Could you explain the 7 phase effect?

 

[AquaPython]

well i have
no switches on just moonlights.
then actinics
then actinics + whites (12ks)
then actinics + whites (12ks) + 10k + 6500k
then actinics + whites (12ks)
then actinics
then moonlights

 

[rxinc]

I have the 72" aquatinics w/ the bulbs/ placement by grimmreaper on the T5 thread - see below - and couldn't be happier w/ the look.
I've had it for 6 mos.
Fixture from Aquarium specialty, bulbs from reefgeek.
Get the hanging kit is applicable - it is worth it.
I have only 3 switches to control the 7 rows of bulbs, so I don't quite understand the 7 phases either.

Somewhere in the T5 thread was a better list but this is what I found looking quickly:

The Aquactinics has 3 circuits. Lamps 1, 4 and 7. 2 and 6 and 3 and 5 are on seprate circuits. I would run (talking about rows, not lamps)Actinic in slot 2 and a Blue Plus in 6 12 hours a day as dusk/dawn.
Next I would do a blue Plus, Aquablue and another Blue Plus 11 Hours for daylight. (positions 1, 4 and 7.
Then do 2 GE Daylights or a GE and a UVL Aquasun in 3 and 5 8~10 hours

 

[musky1963]

I sure would like to have the moonlights on the Constellation. Would the Solar Flare be a bit much for my 75? Can someone post a pic of the lunar lights lit up?Really didn't want to spend that much, but want to get it right this time! Thanks for all of the input........keep it coming! Looks like I am going to have to order something on monday for sure, as I have to send the Coralifes back then .

 

[Henry Bowman]

Spend the money once and cry once. Or be cheap now and cry again when you go to diy or upgrade ?

 

[steve the plumb]

wich fixture has the moonlights?I thought they were extra

 

[Henry Bowman]

The Solar Flare comes with them. I dont know about the others...

 

[horkn]

its Grim Reefer..

but yeah, I have heard nothing but good about ANY aquactinics product.

I run retro's myself but if he were to amke retros, or i wanted a canopy I would buy them from Tom.

 

[Henry Bowman]

Hey rxinc,

You really like the hanging kit from Scott at aquariumspecialty? Is it adjustable ? Relatively easy to install. I'm OK with tools and stuff.....;-)

 

[db_triggerfish]

The Aquactinics 48" Constellation T5 looks like a real winner. i am waiting for someone to test it and show more pictures of it. I think Aquactinics should have it on it's website. They don't. I don't know how wide it is. The picture on Aquarium Specialty for the 48" version looks like the same picture for the 72" version except that it is cropped. Aquactinics should sent one to the Grim Reefer for testing. It looks like ATI or a vendor sent him a ati sunpower for testing. He is not consumer rpts but for reefers he is doing a great job.


musky1963, consider posting on the T5 thread lots of good information there here the link:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1120850&perpage=25&pagenumber=4

 

[musky1963]

Dimensions of 48in. fixture are: 48in. L x 14in. W x 3in. H

Not alot of info on these yet. I would like to see some pics of one with the riser legs installed. I also need to find a nice moonlight that I can use with them, without looking hokey. Hopefully someone can give a review very soon and compare it to the Solar Flare. Yes I want quality and I am willing to drop some jing, but I do not want to buy a SF when it might be overkill for my 75g. It would be close to $1000 for the SF with the bulbs, legs and shipping:eek1: . Yikes.

 

[Cultivatedcoral]

I just ordered the 72" version Constellation. I'm going with 10 bulbs to start. 4 Gieseman pure actinic, 4 Gieseman Aquablue+ and 2 secret bulbs!!! haha