HOw good is the Aquactinics Solar Flare T5

SteveNMegz · 02/28/2008, 08:20 PM

Hey guys, upgrading our lighting and looking at the Aquactinics Solar Flare T5 unit 6x54W. Its going over our 65G 48x16x20. What do you guys think about the unit and how well would sps and other light loving corals do?

Thanks

Zoom · 02/28/2008, 08:50 PM

I saw one......... nice light build good not to much noise from the fans looks very bright, i don't think you are going to have problems with SPS , clams in the 65G tank .

GSMguy · 02/28/2008, 08:53 PM

over your 65g you might have bleaching problems with the solar flare because it is so bright.

for those dimensions the tx5 will be perfect for any sps or light lovers you might want.

SteveNMegz · 02/28/2008, 09:08 PM

well we found the solar flare used, thats the reason why we can afford to buy one haha

but would propping the light up a few more inches take care of teh bleaching problem?

vanillagorila · 02/28/2008, 09:10 PM

you might just want to run four of the bulbs at once.

SteveNMegz · 02/28/2008, 09:14 PM

how does the 6 bulb fixture work????

is there 3 switches controlling a pair of lights each then, and a seperate fan plug???

GSMguy · 02/28/2008, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SteveNMegz
well we found the solar flare used, thats the reason why we can afford to buy one haha

but would propping the light up a few more inches take care of teh bleaching problem?

sure or just dont run any daylight bulbs stay with the bluer and purple tubes.

the solar flare is a most excellent product.

Zoom · 02/28/2008, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SteveNMegz
how does the 6 bulb fixture work????

is there 3 switches controlling a pair of lights each then, and a separate fan plug???

Is only two switches for the lights and two fans in there own plug no switch for the fans just a 110V plug. Now this was a year + a go they may change some .

Aquactinics · 02/29/2008, 04:48 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by SteveNMegz
how does the 6 bulb fixture work????

is there 3 switches controlling a pair of lights each then, and a seperate fan plug???

SteveNMegz,

2 switches and 3 power cords. The first switch/power cord is for 4 of the lamps (1,3,4, & 6) plus one of the fans. The second switch/power cord is for 2 lamps (2 & 5) and the second fan. The third power cord is for the moonlights (no switch). I hope this helps answer your questions.

Thank you,

Tom
Aquactinics

slamsanders · 02/29/2008, 05:08 AM

I have owned the Solar Flare for about a year and it is a really high quality light. You would be able to keep SPS and clams even on the bottom of a 65.

Icefire · 02/29/2008, 05:35 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by slamsanders
I have owned the Solar Flare for about a year and it is a really high quality light. You would be able to keep SPS and clams even on the bottom of a 65.

Even under the sand LOL

SteveNMegz · 02/29/2008, 09:25 AM

we like the sounds of all these comments!

Tom: are the 1,3,4,6 lights output the same as the 2,5 lights?
or are one set stronger than the other? or are all the bulbs have equal output, due tot he 2 different ballasts?

Thanks!

Aquactinics · 02/29/2008, 09:40 AM

Steve,

All the lamps are overdriven the same (about 85W ea). The 660 ballast can power up to 4 lamps and the 430 up to 2 lamps, hence the 6 lamps.

Thank you,

Tom
Aquactinics

SteveNMegz · 02/29/2008, 11:02 AM

thanks for the quick replies!

just one more question, how often should we change the bulbs on the unit since they are over driven (definatley worth it IMO)? is there a certain number of hours you can give us ?

Aquactinics · 02/29/2008, 11:16 AM

Steve,

This is a little subjective. It can vary depending on which lamps you use, what corals you have, and how long the lamps are on for. As a general rule, 10 hours a day I would say anywhere from 12-16 months on this fixtures. Maybe more if you use UVL lamps as they are designed to be overdriven. Again it really depends on your setup. If you have a SPS dominate tank I would change the lamps sooner rather then later.

Thank you,

Tom
Aquactinics

SteveNMegz · 02/29/2008, 11:23 AM

wow we were thinking it was more along the lines of 8-9 months being over drived, its turning out to be a better unit than we thought!

Thanks Tom!

maynardjames · 03/02/2008, 11:48 PM

i have one very bright
buy some sun glasses

Quis · 03/03/2008, 09:50 AM

Where is the cheapest place to buy the Solar Flare?

Quis · 03/03/2008, 03:35 PM

Anyone?

slamsanders · 03/03/2008, 09:37 PM

It looks like Aquarium Specialty has them on sale.

SteveNMegz · 03/04/2008, 07:21 PM

can't wait to get it over the tank and running.

we'll let you all know how it works out!

02/28/2008, 08:20 PM	#1
SteveNMegz Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Port Colborne Posts: 1,140	HOw good is the Aquactinics Solar Flare T5 Hey guys, upgrading our lighting and looking at the Aquactinics Solar Flare T5 unit 6x54W. Its going over our 65G 48x16x20. What do you guys think about the unit and how well would sps and other light loving corals do? Thanks __________________ Steve and Megz Current Tank Info: 55G Shallow Reef (30x30x14) - Equip: Ecotech Radion XR30 G3 Pro, 2 Tunze 6055, Vertex Omega 130 Skimmer, Ecotech Vectra M1 return, Vertex Rx1.5 Zeovit Reactor

02/28/2008, 08:53 PM	#3
GSMguy Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Northern New Mexico Posts: 17,420	over your 65g you might have bleaching problems with the solar flare because it is so bright. for those dimensions the tx5 will be perfect for any sps or light lovers you might want. __________________ Nick. Conehead. Shallow Reef club. Current Tank Info: 48"x27"x14" Envision Acrylic rimless, 6x39w ATi Sunpower, Custom ATB Deluxe Skimmer, 4x tunze nano stream,ATB flowstar 1500, ACJR, Tunze osmolator.

02/28/2008, 09:08 PM	#4
SteveNMegz Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Port Colborne Posts: 1,140	well we found the solar flare used, thats the reason why we can afford to buy one haha but would propping the light up a few more inches take care of teh bleaching problem? __________________ Steve and Megz Current Tank Info: 55G Shallow Reef (30x30x14) - Equip: Ecotech Radion XR30 G3 Pro, 2 Tunze 6055, Vertex Omega 130 Skimmer, Ecotech Vectra M1 return, Vertex Rx1.5 Zeovit Reactor

02/28/2008, 09:10 PM	#5
vanillagorila It stings the nostrils Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Surprise, Az Posts: 1,862	you might just want to run four of the bulbs at once. __________________ "Quality is remembered long after price is forgotten" Current Tank Info: 60g cube, Elite Aquatics cube sump, ATB 840, AI Hydra 26 x2

02/28/2008, 09:14 PM	#6
SteveNMegz Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Port Colborne Posts: 1,140	how does the 6 bulb fixture work???? is there 3 switches controlling a pair of lights each then, and a seperate fan plug??? __________________ Steve and Megz Current Tank Info: 55G Shallow Reef (30x30x14) - Equip: Ecotech Radion XR30 G3 Pro, 2 Tunze 6055, Vertex Omega 130 Skimmer, Ecotech Vectra M1 return, Vertex Rx1.5 Zeovit Reactor

02/28/2008, 08:50 PM	#2
Zoom Premium Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: S.N.J Posts: 5,706	I saw one......... nice light build good not to much noise from the fans looks very bright, i don't think you are going to have problems with SPS , clams in the 65G tank .

02/29/2008, 05:08 AM	#10
slamsanders Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Topeka, Kansas Posts: 17	I have owned the Solar Flare for about a year and it is a really high quality light. You would be able to keep SPS and clams even on the bottom of a 65.

02/29/2008, 09:25 AM	#12
SteveNMegz Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Port Colborne Posts: 1,140	we like the sounds of all these comments! Tom: are the 1,3,4,6 lights output the same as the 2,5 lights? or are one set stronger than the other? or are all the bulbs have equal output, due tot he 2 different ballasts? Thanks! __________________ Steve and Megz Current Tank Info: 55G Shallow Reef (30x30x14) - Equip: Ecotech Radion XR30 G3 Pro, 2 Tunze 6055, Vertex Omega 130 Skimmer, Ecotech Vectra M1 return, Vertex Rx1.5 Zeovit Reactor

02/29/2008, 09:40 AM	#13
Aquactinics Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: North Haven, CT Posts: 656	Steve, All the lamps are overdriven the same (about 85W ea). The 660 ballast can power up to 4 lamps and the 430 up to 2 lamps, hence the 6 lamps. Thank you, Tom Aquactinics

02/29/2008, 11:02 AM	#14
SteveNMegz Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Port Colborne Posts: 1,140	thanks for the quick replies! just one more question, how often should we change the bulbs on the unit since they are over driven (definatley worth it IMO)? is there a certain number of hours you can give us ? __________________ Steve and Megz Current Tank Info: 55G Shallow Reef (30x30x14) - Equip: Ecotech Radion XR30 G3 Pro, 2 Tunze 6055, Vertex Omega 130 Skimmer, Ecotech Vectra M1 return, Vertex Rx1.5 Zeovit Reactor

02/29/2008, 11:16 AM	#15
Aquactinics Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: North Haven, CT Posts: 656	Steve, This is a little subjective. It can vary depending on which lamps you use, what corals you have, and how long the lamps are on for. As a general rule, 10 hours a day I would say anywhere from 12-16 months on this fixtures. Maybe more if you use UVL lamps as they are designed to be overdriven. Again it really depends on your setup. If you have a SPS dominate tank I would change the lamps sooner rather then later. Thank you, Tom Aquactinics

02/29/2008, 11:23 AM	#16
SteveNMegz Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Port Colborne Posts: 1,140	wow we were thinking it was more along the lines of 8-9 months being over drived, its turning out to be a better unit than we thought! Thanks Tom! __________________ Steve and Megz Current Tank Info: 55G Shallow Reef (30x30x14) - Equip: Ecotech Radion XR30 G3 Pro, 2 Tunze 6055, Vertex Omega 130 Skimmer, Ecotech Vectra M1 return, Vertex Rx1.5 Zeovit Reactor

03/02/2008, 11:48 PM	#17
maynardjames Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: west tennessee Posts: 1,600	i have one very bright buy some sun glasses __________________ if your 555 Current Tank Info: 120 rr dual overflows, solarflare t5 fixture,octo extreme 200,vortech mp40w esx2. brs reactor for carbon, brs reactor for gfo, 40 gal breeder sump

03/03/2008, 09:50 AM	#18
Quis Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Hampton, VA Posts: 348	Where is the cheapest place to buy the Solar Flare?

03/03/2008, 03:35 PM	#19
Quis Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Hampton, VA Posts: 348	Anyone?

03/03/2008, 09:37 PM	#20
slamsanders Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Topeka, Kansas Posts: 17	It looks like Aquarium Specialty has them on sale.

03/04/2008, 07:21 PM	#21
SteveNMegz Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Port Colborne Posts: 1,140	can't wait to get it over the tank and running. we'll let you all know how it works out! __________________ Steve and Megz Current Tank Info: 55G Shallow Reef (30x30x14) - Equip: Ecotech Radion XR30 G3 Pro, 2 Tunze 6055, Vertex Omega 130 Skimmer, Ecotech Vectra M1 return, Vertex Rx1.5 Zeovit Reactor