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
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