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View Full Version : Aquactinics constellation review


notenoughtanks
10/06/2008, 05:00 PM
Hey guys, thought I would throw out some more detailed information on the constellation, as there is not much available out there.

The build quality is good, and it is easy (well, for the most part) to open to change lamps. 6 phillips screws gets the end off. Excellent reflectors although the two end ones are about 20% blocked by the lip that holds the splashshield. The reflectors are true individual and are nearly identical to icecaps. this is the model uses the 95% miro reflectors (the same icecap lists that they use on their website) The newer constellation model uses 98%.

The setup is good in my opinion. One switch powers 3 lamps and 1 fan. The second runs 2 lamps and the other fan, and the third switch runs the last two bulbs. The fans are top mounted above the reflectors and pull air from the side vents, pulling cool air over all of the lamps and ballasts. They run pretty quiet, although they can make the reflectors rattle pretty annoyingly if the fixture isn't situated right. The ballasts are 2 4x54 sylvania. One is wired properly to drive 3 lamps instead of 4.

My topoff has DRASTICALLY decreased from what I am used to, but the tank is also a bit smaller. I took a few detailed pics, i'll post em later.

I also did some testing with the killawatt.

7 lamp fixture with 2 fans running: 458 watts, 3.78 amps
5 lamps and 2 fans: 337 watts
2 new uvl lamps, no fans: 126 watts

I have the fixture sitting directly on the tank, but it's running the tank pretty warm, so I have the legs on order.

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p245/benandgi/DSCN0141.jpg

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p245/benandgi/DSCN0151.jpg

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p245/benandgi/DSCN0148.jpg

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p245/benandgi/DSCN0152.jpg

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p245/benandgi/DSCN0140.jpg

atvdave
10/06/2008, 05:42 PM
I like mine also, but my reflectors don't rattle.

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/56970aquam6.JPG

SeanT
10/06/2008, 08:25 PM
You two should really get them off of your tank...they make hanging kits and legs for them.

atvdave
10/07/2008, 04:46 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13497581#post13497581 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SeanT
You two should really get them off of your tank...they make hanging kits and legs for them.

No thank you.

notenoughtanks
10/07/2008, 08:11 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13497581#post13497581 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SeanT
You two should really get them off of your tank...they make hanging kits and legs for them.

That's why I mentioned I ordered the legs. The fixture does warm the tank a bit, even off 5 lamps.

The Grim Reefer
10/07/2008, 08:24 AM
I wast sent one to do PAR tests on and ended up buying the damn thing. That Tom guy is tricky :D

In my case it makes a lot easier to service the tank not having a canopy on it. Because my tank if 5 feet long I was concerned about drawing air into the fixture from right above the water so I reversed the fans when I added moonlights. I need to throw the PAR meter on it to see if it's cooling things enough but the fixture doesn't feel like its and warmer than before.

The Grim Reefer
10/07/2008, 08:31 AM
By the way, If you leave that blue towel over the vents it really going to heat up the tank:D

atvdave
10/07/2008, 02:46 PM
I get less than 1 degree rise on my tank with my fixture like it is. I have the fixture most the way forward so I have around 4" of open space in the back of the tank. My tank sets about 4" or 5" from the wall so with my lights slid all the way back to the wall I have plenty of room to get my hands & arms into my tank to do just about anything I need.

I was concerned about the fixture falling into the tank if it slid off the end so I made 2 metal square rods, insulated them so they wont rust and placed them about 12" from each end to help support the fixture & prevent the fixture from dipping into the water if it was to slip off the edge.

I really don't like the look of a canopy, or lights that hang so this is why I purchased this fixture. I very glade I did, Aquactinics make a damn good product.

whosinpower
10/07/2008, 03:31 PM
I have it hanging. I too prefer no canopy. I have it about 3 inches above the tank - tank water temperature is very stable.....no chiller required.

Logzor
10/07/2008, 03:55 PM
Still waiting on mine to get here for my 90g. I cant wait.

notenoughtanks
10/07/2008, 06:24 PM
btw the pics shown are only running 5 lamps. 1 blue plus, 2blue special, 2 uvl sa.

I now have 2 uvl sa, 2 uvl a/w, and one aquablue special. It look alot better.

notenoughtanks
10/07/2008, 06:25 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13499811#post13499811 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
By the way, If you leave that blue towel over the vents it really going to heat up the tank:D

What, do those holes on top do something? I thought they were just for looks like the teks :)

The Grim Reefer
10/07/2008, 07:27 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13503486#post13503486 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by notenoughtanks
What, do those holes on top do something? I thought they were just for looks like the teks :)

I was checking the PAR on my fixture and sat some paper towels down over the vents. Couldn't figure out why the par was dropping. Doesn't take a lot to restrict the airflow to the point it affects the performance. Never would have thought a couple paper towels would be enough to restrict it that much

notenoughtanks
10/07/2008, 07:56 PM
I know, I was just returning the hard time you were giving me :)

The Grim Reefer
10/07/2008, 07:58 PM
:D Wasn't sure if you thought the towel wouldn't cause a problem or not.