Giesemann Lighting Club.

[Mr. House]

Guys,

I'm setting up a white RS Reefer 425XL + white GM Spectra,
should I go 2x250W or 2x400W?

According to BRS review 2x250W has lower PAR than ATI Sunpower 6x T5.
Some of my friends say that there is no difference between 250W and 400W,
and as they changed the bulbs they only saw difference in electricity bill, not in colors and growth.

It's going to be 100% SPS Zeovit reef.

 

[Mr. House]

Ok guys my light has finally arrived from coralvalve and the light is just amazing
The light is the iridium powder coated 4 bulb 2 250w or 400w

I have a few questions

1.why does it say max 250w it was advertised as 250/400w is this how it's labeled all the time?

2. How the hell do I hook this up to the luxcore ballast

And now time for pics

I heard that in Europe 400W version has got bigger reflectors than 250W version.
It seems that in US they sell only 400W version labelled as 250/400 - you just have to choose the bulb/ballast wattage.

 

[choss]

Guys,

I'm setting up a white RS Reefer 425XL + white GM Spectra,
should I go 2x250W or 2x400W?

According to BRS review 2x250W has lower PAR than ATI Sunpower 6x T5.
Some of my friends say that there is no difference between 250W and 400W,
and as they changed the bulbs they only saw difference in electricity bill, not in colors and growth.

It's going to be 100% SPS Zeovit reef.

I can't imagine that you wouldn't get more par from the 400 W version. Personally I like the shimmer v. the flat look of the ATI. But I think both are good choices

 

[Mark SF]

Guys,

I'm setting up a white RS Reefer 425XL + white GM Spectra,
should I go 2x250W or 2x400W?

According to BRS review 2x250W has lower PAR than ATI Sunpower 6x T5.
Some of my friends say that there is no difference between 250W and 400W,
and as they changed the bulbs they only saw difference in electricity bill, not in colors and growth.

It's going to be 100% SPS Zeovit reef.

I'm excited to follow any build thread for your new system, I've tried Zeo in the past with no luck. Just getting back in myself.

I wouldn't care about the PAR delta between these two fixtures...for me it would be preference of aesthetics, and the shimmer is going to win that debate for me. Also to note, PAR from MH is highly dependent on the bulb spectrum. So the BRS review, while amazing they even go through the effort, isn't a perfect example.

There are many combos, but no denying T5 coral coloration ability and even PAR distribution. Still, that "œlook" from MH cannot be imitated.

I was thinking worst case scenario I would add a Reef Brite XHO strip to my Spectra for more coloration balance and actinic support if I needed to move to a higher PAR, lower kelvin bulb.

-Mark


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Mr. House]

I already have an ATI Sunpower 8x T5 and I think that I could use more light at the bottom of my tank.
Hence I want Giesemann 2x400W as 2x250 is comparable to ATI Sunpower according to BRS review.

I'm excited to follow any build thread for your new system, I've tried Zeo in the past with no luck. Just getting back in myself.

And I always had worse results when I tried to switch from Zeo to something else.
Now on my new build I wan't to achieve these pastels without compromise

I wouldn't care about the PAR delta between these two fixtures...for me it would be preference of aesthetics, and the shimmer is going to win that debate for me. Also to note, PAR from MH is highly dependent on the bulb spectrum. So the BRS review, while amazing they even go through the effort, isn't a perfect example.

There are many combos, but no denying T5 coral coloration ability and even PAR distribution. Still, that "œlook" from MH cannot be imitated.

Yes T5 will provide you with everything you need.
Perfect spectrum, uniform illumination, amazing colors, healthy corals.
Actually T5 is the only light source that can give that fluorescent colors to your SPS and make them look as they were glowing from the inside.

But...
I tried HQI burners on my tank and I loved how the tank looked like and how the corals responded.
So for me it's - not as fluorescent colors but overall more interesting looking tank.
Also I had an impression that my SPS had turned healthier under halides.

Anyway Spectra is a combination of both worlds and for me after years of experimenting with reef illumination - it's the only way to go

Cheers
Josef

 

[biecacka]

I got 1000 par from my 400 radium 6 inches below the bulb.

Corey

 

[wishntoboutside]

New member of the Giesemann Club here. I have just received my 2 Auroa's for my 450 gallon peninsula tank. lots to learn on these.

 

[Mr. House]

We must see it, pictures please :dance:

 

[abhishek@1985]

Question for Giesemann spectra users -

Planning for an acro only 48 inch x 36 inch x 19 inch tank and needless to say need some nice coverage to cover end to end for acros in a 26 inch depth tank.

I was looking at getting 2 giessemann spectra with 4x24 watt bulbs each . I might run 2 400 watt radium or crystal bulbs but wanted to know the coverage of teh reflectors .

I know they are probably not as good as my lumenbright large reflectors but the modularity of it makes it favorable if it can cover the footprint.

Regards,
Abhishek

 

[choss]

why not just get a 48" unit?

 

[tgbaby1]

Question for Giesemann spectra users -

Planning for an acro only 48 inch x 36 inch x 19 inch tank and needless to say need some nice coverage to cover end to end for acros in a 26 inch depth tank.

I was looking at getting 2 giessemann spectra with 4x24 watt bulbs each . I might run 2 400 watt radium or crystal bulbs but wanted to know the coverage of teh reflectors .

I know they are probably not as good as my lumenbright large reflectors but the modularity of it makes it favorable if it can cover the footprint.

Regards,
Abhishek

I have a 36" spectra over a 48 x 28 x 20 SPS tank and is a perfect size. I was initially going to to go with a 48" fixture until I heard they had a 36". The 36" minimizes light spill while providing great coverage.

 

[abhishek@1985]

why not just get a 48" unit?

Well gives me options to hang each 24 inch unit along the depth of the tank over 2 islands if I aquascape that way .

 

[abhishek@1985]

I have a 36" spectra over a 48 x 28 x 20 SPS tank and is a perfect size. I was initially going to to go with a 48" fixture until I heard they had a 36". The 36" minimizes light spill while providing great coverage.

What wattage metal halide bulbs are you using ? Is it a mixed reef for you ? Mine is only acropora tank with may be some montis if at all..

Regards,
Abhishek

 

[choss]

Well gives me options to hang each 24 inch unit along the depth of the tank over 2 islands if I aquascape that way .

Got it. so you will hang them so the 24" length covers the 36" depth of the tank X2. I think that would work really well. and you can hide the cords off the back. I like it!

 

[abhishek@1985]

Got it. so you will hang them so the 24" length covers the 36" depth of the tank X2. I think that would work really well. and you can hide the cords off the back. I like it!

That's the idea exactly !! Could you tell me the width of a spectra fixture ?


Regards,
Abhishek

 

[tgbaby1]

What wattage metal halide bulbs are you using ? Is it a mixed reef for you ? Mine is only acropora tank with may be some montis if at all..



Regards,

Abhishek

I'm running 250w Radiums in M80 ballasts. ATI Blue+ and Giesemann Super Actinic+ for the T5s.

Tank is SPS dominant, 80% Acropora.

I believe the width is 17".

 

[choss]

That's the idea exactly !! Could you tell me the width of a spectra fixture ?


Regards,
Abhishek

Looks to be about 18" wide

 

[Joe0813]

Does anyone know where that post is where a guy installed Kessel lights inside his Spectra ? I tried searching but no luck

 

[Joe0813]

Nvm ... I found it, not doing that. He actually took apart the kessils.

 

[abhishek@1985]

Looks to be about 18" wide

I'm running 250w Radiums in M80 ballasts. ATI Blue+ and Giesemann Super Actinic+ for the T5s.

Tank is SPS dominant, 80% Acropora.

I believe the width is 17".

Thanks guys !! This gets interesting now . I have 2 choices :-

1. 2x24 inch spectra with 8x24 watt T5s hung along the depth of the tank .
2. 1 48 inch spectra with 8x54 watts T5s hung along the length .

With option 1 - much tidier setup where I can hide cords and many more configurations possible .
With option 2 - simply covers 48 inch length and more PAR .

Confusion !!!!

Regards,
Abhishek