Giesemann Lighting Club.

New Spectra

New Spectra

I just unboxed my new 24" Spectra. The tank is on its way (Feb delivery date) so once things are set up I'll post some pics. I am curious as to which bulbs you all recommend for the spectra. I'm planning on starting with 250 W.

With the BRS sale that light was a no brainer, funny people like to spend serious money on the high end led fixture but not so much on the Giesemann Spectra, I have a 24'' Infinity model.
 
I have a 24" Spectra and really like the looks of it. I had an
infinity years ago and the Spectra is wider and looks great!
 
With the BRS sale that light was a no brainer, funny people like to spend serious money on the high end led fixture but not so much on the Giesemann Spectra, I have a 24'' Infinity model.

Yeah I couldn't believe it was on sale. I was hunting for a used one and not having much luck but the ones that I saw that were already sold were about the same price as the new unit I picked up on sale. I was pretty happy. I should have loaded up on a few other items like a sump and return pump!
 
Nick - I'm catching up on your build(s) - in fact I had to read them in order and the Elos tank was amazing. Can't wait to get into the new build thread.

Thanks! It feels good to know someone actually read what took you time to compile and post.
 
I wish I knew that I was going to need a transformer to have to use these lights. Do any of you guys have problems with your transformer overheating?

I have the 60 inch aurora. It has to be 220 volts coming out so it came with a step up transformer. It got so hot today, it melted the glue inside the unit. I'm hoping this is just an isolated incident. Yesterday, it tripped the breaker but by the time I got home, it had been off for a while. Today, my wife called me and said she smelled something burning. I told her to turn it off. When I unplugged it, there was melted glue coming off of the ground plug.

No fun!

Anyone have these problems?
 
So I am doing some math here. The transformer that comes with it is 500 watt capable. So if the T5's are at 100% then you can't go more than 60% on the led's. Hmm...I'm not liking this so far.
 
I have actually read somewhere that no dimmable ballasts exist for 80w T5HO that run on 110v, which is probably why they were forced to use the 220v transformer. ATI actually forgone the t5 dimming on the 60" Powermodules.
 
Thanks! It feels good to know someone actually read what took you time to compile and post.

The work you did on your basement is impressive! I'm stressing over drilling through my hard wood floors at the moment but what you tackled was crazy.
 
Spectra with Kessil

Spectra with Kessil

The way I have them positioned in the two center blanks of the Spectra give the Kessils spread throughout the tank. My width is 30" and depth is 24". These are LEDs so obviously the higher intensity is directly under the clusters and it diminishes the further out and deeper it gets. I'll take some pictures with only the Kessils on, which will give a good idea of the coloration and spread, and post them in my build thread (link is in my signature).

I took this picture with only the Kessils on, surrounding area dark, and with KZ Coral Snow in the tank. This gives a look at how the lights spread when restricted by the Snow. The second picture is with just the Kessils on and surrounding area dark. The light does spread throughout the tank, but it's less at either end. Before I put the 160s in I compared them to the 360s. The wattage of the 160s are 40w and the 360s are 90w each. That tells us the 360s should produce more light, but the optics, or diffuser is the same. Kessil doesn't tell us what LEDs they use but when I spoke with a rep was told there is more blue in the 160s. As I am using these to supplement and get more fluorescence pop I went with the 160s. The cost was a lot less as well. There are two cavities in the Spectra on the far left and right sides I could put two more in, but I don't think the added coverage is worth the extra effort and cost, not to mention there would be a lot of light spillage out the sides.

kessilsnow.jpg


kessil6.jpg
 
John,

Thanks for sharing these pics! I am debating between the 160s and the 360s on my next setup. I will be hanging two Kessils next to (on each end) of a Spectra 24" centered on a 42" long tank. I am using the Kessils to take care of the outside shading I'm likely to have with the single MH bulb on a tank this long. I'm not really counting on them for growth as I will focus my SPS in the central 30" of the tank so it sounds like I could get away with two 160s v. 360s. Let me know what you think
 
John,

Thanks for sharing these pics! I am debating between the 160s and the 360s on my next setup. I will be hanging two Kessils next to (on each end) of a Spectra 24" centered on a 42" long tank. I am using the Kessils to take care of the outside shading I'm likely to have with the single MH bulb on a tank this long. I'm not really counting on them for growth as I will focus my SPS in the central 30" of the tank so it sounds like I could get away with two 160s v. 360s. Let me know what you think

I think the 360s will give you more power which would help with getting light to lower depths but the spread will be the same. If you're going to hang or mount the cans on the sides of the 24" Spectra that leaves 12" on either side which should be a nice spread. If the depth of your tank is 24" I don't think you'll need the added power of a 360 and would just end up dialing it back. That said, if you don't mind spending the money, you would have the option of increasing the intensity beyond what a 160 could do.
 
If I could point out the single BEST fixture for a reef aquarium, the Spectra would be it...

reefcowboy,

i took a quick look at one of your threads and it looks like you are running a combo I'm considering - MH & Kessil combo? Can you talk briefly about your setup (tank size and the lights you are using)? Also how you mounted the lights?

Much Appreciated.
 
Joined this club a few weeks ago but don't have my tank setup as of yet. Still need to build my stand and pick up some RO parts to get my water going. Can't wait to get back to the gold standard of lighting!

I went with a 250w and 2 bulb T5 fixture. I am excited to eventually have a tank again.
 
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