Aquactinics 48" Constellation T5

[steve the plumb]

I looked into the sf aswell $1700 a pop CDN funds I need 2x48 ouch.Grimm also told me the ati powermodules are good.Reef Geek is bringing them in but they cost a few hundred more than the Aquactinics $950 for the 7 bulb 48 inch.(can't remember how many bulbs exact)There is one more model above that at $1100.Grimm said that the $950 model would be fine.My tank will be 96x30x24 so I need 2x48 fixture.I may go with the Aquactinics because its less money.The ATI is already presold so Greg told me If I want to order I would have to order for the next preshipment that will come in(at least 3 months)I don't know if the ATI system comes with bulbs

 

[stevedola]

I would get the constellation for a 75. I dont think it would be too much at all. 7 bulbs on 3 switches make for nice lighting combos.

if youre going to compare it to a solar flare its probably not as nice. however it all depends on what you need. The SF could be alittle overkill for a 75.

Ive seen tanks lit with Tx5s that are awesome. Digis and acros growing on the sand with brillant color.

 

[steve the plumb]

The constellation is more expensive is it not?I think the solar flare is shaped like a doom where constellation is square.Wich is a better fixture?Constellation gives more of a direct light does it not?Sorry I forget to check and see solar flare comes without ballast with ballast and bulbs and two moon lights its $799

 

[Henry Bowman]

The solar flare is about 4" tall with bent aluminum that is powder coated, mine is black. It's not exactly a dome as the top is bent like a barn roof with a flat top. (hope you get the idea). It comes with 2 icecap ballasts, one 660 and one 440. The 660 runs 4 bulbs (the mains) and the 440 runs the 2 actinics. The icecaps overdrive the traditional 58watt bulbs to 80 watts as well the 440 overdrives the actinics similarly.

HTH

 

[steve the plumb]

how about heat does it do a good job at cooling the fixture.Does the fixture look nice and I would like to suspend it with the hanging cables

 

[stevedola]

i think it has two fans in the solar flare that do a good job cooling (so ive heard) however I dont believe the unit comes with bulbs. If I were you, Id call Scott at scotslights about a slightly scratched unit. Could have a deal for you.

 

[steve the plumb]

for $799 it comes with bulbs the icecap ballasts and moon lights

 

[avp]

steve...

steve...

where did you find the Solar Flare with bulbs for $799 ? I'm shopping for a t-5 fixture for my 90 and I would love one, but it's out of my price range.
The Constellation on the other hand is pretty nice...

-avp

 

[steve the plumb]

aquarium specialty it comes complete with moon lights aswell/www.aquariumspecialty.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=28_111_112&products_id=1088

 

[ricwilli]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9977924#post9977924 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 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.

Have you thought about the TX5's? Is there a reason why you would not consider these? I also read that the TX5 have been moded to be over driven with icecap 660.

 

[avp]

the last line of the Aquarium Specialty description:

"lamps not included in price"

too bad, I thought I might have found a winner. No worries, though the search continues....

-avp

 

[musky1963]

Steve, it comes with the moonlights, but not the main bulbs which would bring it up anoth $120 or so.

ricwilli..I will check them out as well.

 

[rxinc]

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.....;-)

Yes it is adjustable, barely noticable, and very easy to install.

But it did not come with the instructions and I almost ruined it thinking it set up differently than it actual did.

I called aquatinicss and they emailed me the diagram - which hopefully gets attached here

 

[steve the plumb]

sorry you read correct I thought it came with bulbs my mistake.I must have looked at other lights(wich I have been doing) and mistakenly thought it came complete (with bulbs) If its anything like my old aqua medic pendant hanging kit it was very easy to use.It can screw into the ceiling and you adjust height with the cable.The constelation is cheaper if you want to save some money.You are now looking at $920 for the fixture.The ATI is $950 but I don't think that comes with bulbs either.ATI powermodule.Grimm reccomended that aswell but its also up there in price.Any way you look at it its almost $1000 for lights and I need 2 fixtures