Got a 6 foot Aquatinics Constellation in...pics.

SeanT · 06/14/2007, 02:08 PM

Being nothing more than a virtual top-off-water-adder-guy for the last year, I decided to make some changes.

I have a 180 main tank in the dining room but my sump is through the wall in the garage.
The unheated, unairconditioned garage.
In the summer my chiller (1 hp) runs non stop to keep the tank at 82.

I have decided to get away from 3 x 400 watt halides and 2 x 160 watt VHO's and go with the 14 x 39 watt T5's.
974 less watts of energy and the heat that comes from them.

I decided on the 6 foot Aquatinics Constellation system.
It has 14 bulbs (39 watts each).

I got the box in today and quickly noticed that the hood, even though it is shipped in a box barely larger than itself, is packaged quite well.
It is made out of sheet metal so it isn't that sturdy, meaning you wouldn't want to just hold it by one end, but there was no visible damage anywhere.

I read that it is only 14" wide...and it is only that wide.
So if you have a 2 foot deep tank like mine it needs to be raised above the tank a few inches to get a full spread.
So I bought the hanger kit as well.
I don't like leg kits, I am always afraid to bump it too hard since I am clumsy.

Here is a pic.

Another.

SeanT · 06/14/2007, 02:09 PM

Here is a top down version, you can see the vent holes and fan exhaust.

SeanT · 06/14/2007, 02:10 PM

I have no experience with T5's at all but I would have paid some more for two more fans at opposite ends as well.

Close up of fan area.

SeanT · 06/14/2007, 02:10 PM

The hanging kit.

SeanT · 06/14/2007, 02:14 PM

I have found only one thing that I do NOT like so far.

There are no instructions whatsoever.
None for the hood and none for the hanging kit.
There are 3 switches on the hood and 3 power cords.
It would be nice to know right off the rip which controls which lamp sockets.
There is also a plexiglass shield for the bulbs and a whole lot of screws, it would also be nice to know the easiest way to open it up for bulb changes without having to experiment.

Easily enough done but a few lines would have been cool.

Now as for the hanging kit, I don't have a clue how to use it.
So if anyone does know please tell me or point me in the right direction.

More pics once I get it up and running.

Thanks,
Sean

Waxxiemann · 06/14/2007, 02:49 PM

Looks sweet, Sean, I'll be sure to follow along on this one. I'm thinking of going T5 on my next tank. What do you keep?

Waxx

SeanT · 06/14/2007, 03:06 PM

Rocks.

I gave away all my corals but a few Rics early may of 2006.
I had no time for upkeep and didn't want to cause any deaths.

SeanT · 06/14/2007, 03:07 PM

I got the bulbs in fairly easily.
The front and rear bulbs are hard to turn with big hands.

Now all I need to do is figure out how to put the hanger in.

Any knowledge on this out there?

Waxxiemann · 06/14/2007, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SeanT
Rocks.

I gave away all my corals but a few Rics early may of 2006.
I had no time for upkeep and didn't want to cause any deaths.

I'm interested to see how it does with SPS closer to the bottom of the tank. No hanger knowledge here, sorry =)

fours2many · 06/14/2007, 03:31 PM

I have a 180 with the same lighting set up. I really like it. No complaints at all. I can't think of one thing I don't like about it. I have T-5 on all my tanks, but the constilation is my favorite.

Kristin

DarG · 06/14/2007, 03:52 PM

So, you have to crew the plexiglass shield in?
That kinda sucks. Would have been nice to have a slide in shield. But I guess these are their budget fixtures?

Can't help on the unit itself or even much on the specifics for hanging it other than to say that I know who Griplock Systems is. One of the parts (one for each end) of the hanging kit should have a barrell looking piece that the long cable is probably already slid through. That piece has a spring loaded button or little ferrule like part on it that you push in to allow you to slide the cable through it, both directions. This will allow you easy up and down height adjustment of the fixture. Should be two of these, one for each end of the fixture. They are self locking when you release the button. Actually, you probably only need to push the button to lower the fixture. Raising it you can usually just pull the cable through without pushing the little release.

Got a question for you. Do the reflectors sides extend beyond the bottom of the bulbs when the bulbs are seated in the endcaps?

SeanT · 06/14/2007, 05:25 PM

No, you don't screw the shield in.
You unscrew the end piece and the shield slides out.

SeanT · 06/14/2007, 05:27 PM

Thanks for the info on the hanging kit.

Yes the sides of the reflectors hang closer to the water than the bulbs.
Was that what you were asking?

DarG · 06/14/2007, 05:28 PM

Makes much more sense. Thanks.

DarG · 06/14/2007, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SeanT
Thanks for the info on the hanging kit.

Yes the sides of the reflectors hang closer to the water than the bulbs.
Was that what you were asking?

Yes. It's almost impossible to tell from the pictures. It almost looks like they are very low profile. But the Aquactinics are well regarded and I figured that the pictures had to be midleading. Thanks, that fixes the curiosity.

Good luck with it!

SeanT · 06/14/2007, 05:41 PM

Thanks,

The fixture IS very low profile.

Aquactinics · 06/14/2007, 06:49 PM

SeanT,

Sorry that the instructions for the hanging kit were not included. Here's a link to how the hanging kit should look like.

Click here (PDF)

Thank you,

Tom
Aquactinics

chrisjet · 06/14/2007, 09:18 PM

i am thinking about getting one of the constellations myself - please keep us up dated and some pics when you get it installed over your tank would be great.

Aquactinics · 06/15/2007, 03:58 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by SeanT

I read that it is only 14" wide...and it is only that wide.
So if you have a 2 foot deep tank like mine it needs to be raised above the tank a few inches to get a full spread.
So I bought the hanger kit as well.
I don't like leg kits, I am always afraid to bump it too hard since I am clumsy.

SeanT,

Just wanted to let you know that although the fixture is only 14" wide it will light up a 2ft wide tank without having to raise the fixture at all. Try it out. Also, one thing about our leg kits. They are designed to "hug" the edge of the tank so that the fixture won't move left or right.

Thank you and enjoy your fixture.

Tom
Aquactinics

SeanT · 06/15/2007, 10:17 AM

Hi Tom,
Thanks for the file and the help.
It lights pretty darn well.
I want the ability to hang so I can get in my tank easier.

Sean

SeanT · 06/15/2007, 10:29 AM

Chrisjet,
I will post some pics for sure,

arbee · 06/15/2007, 02:38 PM

Glad to hear someone else is impressed with their Constellation. I've had mine up for a couple months and couldn't be more pleased. I also used the hanging kit.
The real test will be when I start growing some clams and sp's (hopefully this fall). I'm sure this will be more than enough light.
What bulbs did you get for the unit?

Looking forward to your pics.

tacocat · 06/15/2007, 02:48 PM

It's weird not seeing a Dalamation and "Moved On".

That fixture looks very nice. Hanging the fixture makes life so much easier, especially when it comes time to clean the protective cover and change bulbs.

SeanT · 06/15/2007, 04:34 PM

Dang Tacocat.
You wish I was still in the abyss.

Who knows...maybe again someday.

The Dalmation was from my sports bar logo.
Sold that...the Rhino is from my new nightclub.

I just finished installing it but have to get to work..>Friday night and all.
I will have some pics soon.

tacocat · 06/15/2007, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SeanT
Dang Tacocat.
You wish I was still in the abyss.

Nah, not at all. It's nice to see you back. I guess I got accustomed to seeing threads you started being bumped back up by people doing research or looking for references.

06/14/2007, 02:08 PM	#1
SeanT Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Wilmington, North Carolina Posts: 13,860	Got a 6 foot Aquatinics Constellation in...pics. Being nothing more than a virtual top-off-water-adder-guy for the last year, I decided to make some changes. I have a 180 main tank in the dining room but my sump is through the wall in the garage. The unheated, unairconditioned garage. In the summer my chiller (1 hp) runs non stop to keep the tank at 82. I have decided to get away from 3 x 400 watt halides and 2 x 160 watt VHO's and go with the 14 x 39 watt T5's. 974 less watts of energy and the heat that comes from them. I decided on the 6 foot Aquatinics Constellation system. It has 14 bulbs (39 watts each). I got the box in today and quickly noticed that the hood, even though it is shipped in a box barely larger than itself, is packaged quite well. It is made out of sheet metal so it isn't that sturdy, meaning you wouldn't want to just hold it by one end, but there was no visible damage anywhere. I read that it is only 14" wide...and it is only that wide. So if you have a 2 foot deep tank like mine it needs to be raised above the tank a few inches to get a full spread. So I bought the hanger kit as well. I don't like leg kits, I am always afraid to bump it too hard since I am clumsy. Here is a pic. Another. __________________ My tank was cool. Current Tank Info: Barebottom (the tank not me...at least not at the moment).

06/14/2007, 02:09 PM	#2
SeanT Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Wilmington, North Carolina Posts: 13,860	Here is a top down version, you can see the vent holes and fan exhaust. __________________ My tank was cool. Current Tank Info: Barebottom (the tank not me...at least not at the moment).

06/14/2007, 02:10 PM	#3
SeanT Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Wilmington, North Carolina Posts: 13,860	I have no experience with T5's at all but I would have paid some more for two more fans at opposite ends as well. Close up of fan area. __________________ My tank was cool. Current Tank Info: Barebottom (the tank not me...at least not at the moment).

06/14/2007, 02:10 PM	#4
SeanT Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Wilmington, North Carolina Posts: 13,860	The hanging kit. __________________ My tank was cool. Current Tank Info: Barebottom (the tank not me...at least not at the moment).

06/14/2007, 02:14 PM	#5
SeanT Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Wilmington, North Carolina Posts: 13,860	I have found only one thing that I do NOT like so far. There are no instructions whatsoever. None for the hood and none for the hanging kit. There are 3 switches on the hood and 3 power cords. It would be nice to know right off the rip which controls which lamp sockets. There is also a plexiglass shield for the bulbs and a whole lot of screws, it would also be nice to know the easiest way to open it up for bulb changes without having to experiment. Easily enough done but a few lines would have been cool. Now as for the hanging kit, I don't have a clue how to use it. So if anyone does know please tell me or point me in the right direction. More pics once I get it up and running. Thanks, Sean __________________ My tank was cool. Current Tank Info: Barebottom (the tank not me...at least not at the moment).

06/14/2007, 02:49 PM	#6
Waxxiemann Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 2,364	Looks sweet, Sean, I'll be sure to follow along on this one. I'm thinking of going T5 on my next tank. What do you keep? Waxx __________________ "Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe." Albert Einstein

06/14/2007, 03:06 PM	#7
SeanT Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Wilmington, North Carolina Posts: 13,860	Rocks. I gave away all my corals but a few Rics early may of 2006. I had no time for upkeep and didn't want to cause any deaths. __________________ My tank was cool. Current Tank Info: Barebottom (the tank not me...at least not at the moment).

06/14/2007, 03:07 PM	#8
SeanT Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Wilmington, North Carolina Posts: 13,860	I got the bulbs in fairly easily. The front and rear bulbs are hard to turn with big hands. Now all I need to do is figure out how to put the hanger in. Any knowledge on this out there? __________________ My tank was cool. Current Tank Info: Barebottom (the tank not me...at least not at the moment).

06/14/2007, 03:31 PM	#10
fours2many Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 385	I have a 180 with the same lighting set up. I really like it. No complaints at all. I can't think of one thing I don't like about it. I have T-5 on all my tanks, but the constilation is my favorite. Kristin

06/14/2007, 03:52 PM	#11
DarG Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,515	So, you have to crew the plexiglass shield in? That kinda sucks. Would have been nice to have a slide in shield. But I guess these are their budget fixtures? Can't help on the unit itself or even much on the specifics for hanging it other than to say that I know who Griplock Systems is. One of the parts (one for each end) of the hanging kit should have a barrell looking piece that the long cable is probably already slid through. That piece has a spring loaded button or little ferrule like part on it that you push in to allow you to slide the cable through it, both directions. This will allow you easy up and down height adjustment of the fixture. Should be two of these, one for each end of the fixture. They are self locking when you release the button. Actually, you probably only need to push the button to lower the fixture. Raising it you can usually just pull the cable through without pushing the little release. Got a question for you. Do the reflectors sides extend beyond the bottom of the bulbs when the bulbs are seated in the endcaps?

06/14/2007, 05:25 PM	#12
SeanT Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Wilmington, North Carolina Posts: 13,860	No, you don't screw the shield in. You unscrew the end piece and the shield slides out. __________________ My tank was cool. Current Tank Info: Barebottom (the tank not me...at least not at the moment).

06/14/2007, 05:27 PM	#13
SeanT Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Wilmington, North Carolina Posts: 13,860	Thanks for the info on the hanging kit. Yes the sides of the reflectors hang closer to the water than the bulbs. Was that what you were asking? __________________ My tank was cool. Current Tank Info: Barebottom (the tank not me...at least not at the moment).

06/14/2007, 05:28 PM	#14
DarG Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,515	Makes much more sense. Thanks.

06/14/2007, 05:41 PM	#16
SeanT Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Wilmington, North Carolina Posts: 13,860	Thanks, The fixture IS very low profile. __________________ My tank was cool. Current Tank Info: Barebottom (the tank not me...at least not at the moment).

06/14/2007, 06:49 PM	#17
Aquactinics Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: North Haven, CT Posts: 656	SeanT, Sorry that the instructions for the hanging kit were not included. Here's a link to how the hanging kit should look like. Click here (PDF) Thank you, Tom Aquactinics

06/14/2007, 09:18 PM	#18
chrisjet Moved On Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: marietta ga Posts: 222	i am thinking about getting one of the constellations myself - please keep us up dated and some pics when you get it installed over your tank would be great.

06/15/2007, 10:17 AM	#20
SeanT Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Wilmington, North Carolina Posts: 13,860	Hi Tom, Thanks for the file and the help. It lights pretty darn well. I want the ability to hang so I can get in my tank easier. Sean __________________ My tank was cool. Current Tank Info: Barebottom (the tank not me...at least not at the moment).

06/15/2007, 10:29 AM	#21
SeanT Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Wilmington, North Carolina Posts: 13,860	Chrisjet, I will post some pics for sure, __________________ My tank was cool. Current Tank Info: Barebottom (the tank not me...at least not at the moment).

06/15/2007, 02:38 PM	#22
arbee Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Massillon, Ohio Posts: 439	Glad to hear someone else is impressed with their Constellation. I've had mine up for a couple months and couldn't be more pleased. I also used the hanging kit. The real test will be when I start growing some clams and sp's (hopefully this fall). I'm sure this will be more than enough light. What bulbs did you get for the unit? Looking forward to your pics. __________________ 125 mixed reef/55sump-fuge/ Current Tank Info: 125 Reef/55 Sump 72" Aquactinics Constellation T5 fixture 55 sump ER RS250 skimmer

06/15/2007, 02:48 PM	#23
tacocat Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 3,447	It's weird not seeing a Dalamation and "Moved On". That fixture looks very nice. Hanging the fixture makes life so much easier, especially when it comes time to clean the protective cover and change bulbs. __________________ Going to need a cleanup on aisle 3 Current Tank Info: 240g Starphire cube

06/15/2007, 04:34 PM	#24
SeanT Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Wilmington, North Carolina Posts: 13,860	Dang Tacocat. You wish I was still in the abyss. Who knows...maybe again someday. The Dalmation was from my sports bar logo. Sold that...the Rhino is from my new nightclub. I just finished installing it but have to get to work..>Friday night and all. I will have some pics soon. __________________ My tank was cool. Current Tank Info: Barebottom (the tank not me...at least not at the moment).