48 Inch 7x54W Aquactinics Constellation T5-HO Fixture

TampaReefer79 · 11/06/2009, 12:47 PM

Just wondering if all of you much smarter than me people think that 2 of these fixtures (48 Inch 7x54W Aquactinics Constellation T5-HO Fixture) over a 375 gallon reef (8'x30"x30") would be sufficient lighting? Or would halides with T5 supplimentation be better?

I'd REALLY like to go all T5 and after seeing this fixture on SunnyX's tank, I fell in love with it.

Thanks!

P.S. Tank inhabitants would be light demandning animals...ie: clams and sps

solitude127 · 11/06/2009, 01:33 PM

I think 30" might be a little deep. IMO. It also depends on what type of corals you're planning on keeping. If you like Sunny's tank, then more than likely you're going with SPS and I don't think T5 can penitrate that deep to keep SPS down there.

TampaReefer79 · 11/06/2009, 01:36 PM

Yes, there will be sps. But just because the tank is 30" deep doesn't mean the corals will be...what if they are half way and up? Zoos on the bottom...

James77 · 11/06/2009, 03:55 PM

The Constellation is 14" wide, and will not give the best coverage on a 30" tank unless you raise it pretty high.

They would be a bit more money, but you could consider 2 10x54 Powermodules, which are 21.5" wide. If you want to spend a few hundred less, you could do 2 10x39w ATIs and space them out a little length wise.

Aquactinics · 11/07/2009, 07:34 PM

James77,

As long as TampaReefer79 isn't planning on keeping SPS in the extreme upper back or front on the fixture, the Constellation would work great on a 30" wide tank. If anything, he would just need to use the riser brackets. The Constellation is designed for tanks upto twice it's width without having the raise the fixture.

Two ATI 10x54w fixtures would work too. I would say away from the 3ft fixtures if you want a more continuous lighting look as two 3ft T5 fixtures would leave dim spots in the middle and ends of the tank.

-Tom

raynist · 11/07/2009, 11:26 PM

Go with the constellation!

I have a 10 bulb 4ft powermodule and wish I would have bought the constellation. The constellation will fire 7 bulbs all of he time. I am lucky if my powermodule fires 6 of 10 bulbs when it turns on. Save money and buy American too!!

epleeds · 11/08/2009, 02:25 PM

you could just go with one of the 72" 14x39 watt constellation fixtures and center it on the tank. would be a little cheaper than buying 2 48" units.

TampaReefer79 · 11/08/2009, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by epleeds

you could just go with one of the 72" 14x39 watt constellation fixtures and center it on the tank. would be a little cheaper than buying 2 48" units.

Would I get enough coverage in the tank though? I'd have a foot on each side with no bulbs over it...and I don't have THAT much room between the top of the tank and the ceiling...low ceilings in Florida.

pfoster40 · 11/08/2009, 11:24 PM

Or you could just get a ice cap retro set up, if you're going to drop money like that. Just find a couple of used set ups and would prolly be about half the price. My buddies uncle got two NEW 4 48" bulb set ups pre wired for $500. Those over drive the bulbs and should allow you to have plenty of penetration on a 30" deep tank!

jennmac415 · 11/08/2009, 11:27 PM

raynist... didn't you USED to have a Constellation???

epleeds · 11/09/2009, 07:51 AM

I guess it all depends on how you do your rock structures. I like to have some space on the sides so i can clean the glass and put some lower light corals in the sandbed. If you want wall to wall rock, and no lower light corals, then it might not work. you could always check with aquatinics on their message board.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TampaReefer79

Would I get enough coverage in the tank though? I'd have a foot on each side with no bulbs over it...and I don't have THAT much room between the top of the tank and the ceiling...low ceilings in Florida.

11/06/2009, 12:47 PM	#1
TampaReefer79 Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Parts Unknown Posts: 3,448	48 Inch 7x54W Aquactinics Constellation T5-HO Fixture Just wondering if all of you much smarter than me people think that 2 of these fixtures (48 Inch 7x54W Aquactinics Constellation T5-HO Fixture) over a 375 gallon reef (8'x30"x30") would be sufficient lighting? Or would halides with T5 supplimentation be better? I'd REALLY like to go all T5 and after seeing this fixture on SunnyX's tank, I fell in love with it. Thanks! P.S. Tank inhabitants would be light demandning animals...ie: clams and sps

11/06/2009, 01:33 PM	#2
solitude127 Proud user of IO Salt! Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Torrance, CA Posts: 9,136	I think 30" might be a little deep. IMO. It also depends on what type of corals you're planning on keeping. If you like Sunny's tank, then more than likely you're going with SPS and I don't think T5 can penitrate that deep to keep SPS down there. __________________ Mike <)))>{ <)))>{ <)))>{ <)))>{ ReefKeeping.com TOTM Nov 2012 Socalireefs Featured Reef Oct 2011 Current Tank Info: 603020, 8x54 ATI Powermodule, ReefBrite XHO, ATB Elegance 200, Aquamaxx CTech CaRx, Ecotech Vortechs, Apex Controls, WM Ecobak powered. RedSea Reefer 170, MP10, Apex Jr, Ecotech Radion XR15, Aquamaxx WS-1

11/06/2009, 03:55 PM	#4
James77 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 8,158	The Constellation is 14" wide, and will not give the best coverage on a 30" tank unless you raise it pretty high. They would be a bit more money, but you could consider 2 10x54 Powermodules, which are 21.5" wide. If you want to spend a few hundred less, you could do 2 10x39w ATIs and space them out a little length wise. __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: 120g Mixed Reef and 75g Freshwater

11/08/2009, 11:27 PM	#10
jennmac415 premium member "reefmama" Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Wichita, KS Posts: 1,903	raynist... didn't you USED to have a Constellation??? __________________ Jenni AKA "Reefmama" Current Tank Info: currently just have a 34 gallon.

11/06/2009, 01:36 PM	#3
TampaReefer79 Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Parts Unknown Posts: 3,448	Yes, there will be sps. But just because the tank is 30" deep doesn't mean the corals will be...what if they are half way and up? Zoos on the bottom...

11/07/2009, 07:34 PM	#5
Aquactinics Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: North Haven, CT Posts: 656	James77, As long as TampaReefer79 isn't planning on keeping SPS in the extreme upper back or front on the fixture, the Constellation would work great on a 30" wide tank. If anything, he would just need to use the riser brackets. The Constellation is designed for tanks upto twice it's width without having the raise the fixture. Two ATI 10x54w fixtures would work too. I would say away from the 3ft fixtures if you want a more continuous lighting look as two 3ft T5 fixtures would leave dim spots in the middle and ends of the tank. -Tom

11/07/2009, 11:26 PM	#6
raynist Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 4,921	Go with the constellation! I have a 10 bulb 4ft powermodule and wish I would have bought the constellation. The constellation will fire 7 bulbs all of he time. I am lucky if my powermodule fires 6 of 10 bulbs when it turns on. Save money and buy American too!!

11/08/2009, 02:25 PM	#7
epleeds Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: virginia Posts: 346	you could just go with one of the 72" 14x39 watt constellation fixtures and center it on the tank. would be a little cheaper than buying 2 48" units.

11/08/2009, 11:24 PM	#9
pfoster40 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 287	Or you could just get a ice cap retro set up, if you're going to drop money like that. Just find a couple of used set ups and would prolly be about half the price. My buddies uncle got two NEW 4 48" bulb set ups pre wired for $500. Those over drive the bulbs and should allow you to have plenty of penetration on a 30" deep tank!