AQUACTINICS Constellation T5 ?

[SHAWNLX86]

Is this a good unit for a 215gal and what setup of bulbs would you get, 14 x 39watts. also I was told this unit could sit right on top of the tank, should I go this route or buy the 2.5" mounting legs, hanging is out of the ? If there are other fixtures out there that would fit on a 72" (no retro's) I'm interested!!

Thanks,Shawn

 

[SHAWNLX86]

Re: AQUACTINICS Constellation T5 ?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9382396#post9382396 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SHAWNLX86
Is this a good unit for a 215gal and what setup of bulbs would you get, 14 x 39watts. also I was told this unit could sit right on top of the tank, should I go this route or buy the 2.5" mounting legs, hanging is out of the ? If there are other fixtures out there that would fit on a 72" (no retro's) I'm interested!!

Thanks,Shawn

oh yeah by the way, I like a whiteish blue hue, kind of what you'd get from a 14k metal halide.

thanks again

 

[atvdave]

Here's some pic's of mine.

These are old pictures, the tanks back wall is now covered in coralline, and the corals are much larger.

It's a good light if you don't want to do MH's.

 

[SHAWNLX86]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9382578#post9382578 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by atvdave
Here's some pic's of mine.

These are old pictures, the tanks back wall is now covered in coralline, and the corals are much larger.

It's a good light if you don't want to do MH's.

WHAT BULB COMBO DO YOU USE?

DO YOU HAVE HEATING ISSUES WITH THE FIXTURE SITTING RIGHT ON THE TANK OR DO THE FANS WORK WELL ENOUGH, OH YEAH, HOW LOUD ARE THE FANS?

oops sorry about caps!!

thanks,Shawn

 

[atvdave]

Bulbs.. Front to back

ATI Blue +
ATI aquablue SP
UVL Aquasun
UVL SA
UVL Aquasun
ATI aquablue SP
UVL SA

I only have about a 1 degree rise in my tank temp with all the lights on. The top center of the fixture gets hot but the bottom shield hardly even gets warm.

The fans aren't silent, but by all means aren't loud. But acoustics's are different in all households. Basically, the more stuff you have on the walls, the more it will absorb sound.

 

[atvdave]

Also.. does your tank have a center brace? or 2 braces?

My tank only has 1 center brace, and fear of the fixture slipping off to one side and into my tank made me make 2 rods on each end to catch the fixture if it ever slipped off one side.

Look at the pic close and you can see them.

 

[SHAWNLX86]

I just found out this afternoon the tank doesnt have any eurobraces and no insets to put glass covers. ) read below its from a thread on another forum site ,it'll make more sence. unfortunately I think I'm gonna have to buy a canopy and then I'll just do a retro.

"well seeing as how they kept me in the dark for a while (1month) they knocked some money off but I think the list price for the 215 was about $1,500. (yeah I know not cheap!!!) I went to the store today to buy some dogfood and they had a 75gal. on display, it's called the oceanic tech. The only downside (some might say its a plus is there is no bracing and no grooves in plastic to put a glass cover. Its a solid flat 1-2" plastic lip, kind of like with an acrylic tank. So now I have to figure out what to do with covering it.

I think I'm gonna have to order a canopy and secure eggcrate to the top of tank somehow, (plan on getting a goldentail eel)."

 

[okdave]

I am interested in this fixture for my 150 gal tank. I had a question about access for cleaning and feeding. I always have my hands in the water of my tank. Do you have to lift the fixture off for access?