Giessmann Stellar - Who has one?

RabbitReef · Sep 30, 2019

Interested in a Hybrid fixture for my 72" tank. Seeing how the older style aquatic life has a 60" with some flaws and now their new version does not have a 60" option I am currently looking at the Giesemann Stellar 59". I currently have three XR30s and feel like I am lacking some T5. I do like the look of the Stellar tank mounting kit, however with a 60" fixture over a 72" tank I don't think this will be possible. I don't have a canopy and as of now I not opposed to one, but would like to see if anyone has any recommendations.

Thanks

fishnugget1 · Oct 3, 2019

I am installing a stellar with 4 radion xr15 Pros. I would rather do a360x Kessel but can't figure out how to safely attach. I have a 72 inch tank. No problem Been running Geismann aurora but can't get par I want. Switching to Stellar

hatfielj · Oct 3, 2019

I have one. I'm going to be running Orpheks on it for now since I already have them on a frag tank I'm dismantling soon.
They are very nice fixtures and very solid build quality. They look great too.

RabbitReef · Oct 3, 2019

How do you 72" guys have them mounted over the tank?

hatfielj · Oct 3, 2019

Mine is a 48" over a 48" tank. I used the wire hanging kit for mine. My wife likes the cleaner look of a ceiling mount.

jkapit · Oct 7, 2019

RabbitReef said:
Interested in a Hybrid fixture for my 72" tank. Seeing how the older style aquatic life has a 60" with some flaws and now their new version does not have a 60" option I am currently looking at the Giesemann Stellar 59". I currently have three XR30s and feel like I am lacking some T5. I do like the look of the Stellar tank mounting kit, however with a 60" fixture over a 72" tank I don't think this will be possible. I don't have a canopy and as of now I not opposed to one, but would like to see if anyone has any recommendations.

Thanks

I am running the 60 inch stellar with 3 Radions R30Pro on a 72” 220 Gallon 34” tall tank. Love the setup, my SPS are growing really well and my LPS in the bottom 3rd of the tank also are doing really well.

Running 1 coral plus, two blue plus, and a purple. I ramp the Radions up to 50% and have the T5’s on for 6 hours a day and the tank is thriving and looks great.

I changed over from Metal Hallides and don’t miss them at all.

I did have to buy the narrower adapters to slim down the fixture so it fit in the canopy and cleared my sea swirls.

All in all I am very satisfied,

fishnugget1 · Oct 9, 2019

I am about do do the same however my tank is only 22-23 inches deep. I was going with 4 xr15 Pro. Any reason you did not go kessel? For easier spectrum setting and shimmer? SPS doing ok.

BTW I currently have a Geismann aurora. Tank looks good but hard to get much par unless turn whites all the way up. Not a great look.

jkapit · Oct 9, 2019

fishnugget1 said:
I am about do do the same however my tank is only 22-23 inches deep. I was going with 4 xr15 Pro. Any reason you did not go kessel? For easier spectrum setting and shimmer? SPS doing ok.

BTW I currently have a Geismann aurora. Tank looks good but hard to get much par unless turn whites all the way up. Not a great look.

Hi,

I purchased the optional side brackets which changes the depth to 19.5” and the Radions fit in perfectly. I chose the Radions because of their integration with the Apex system which is easy to setup and works great. I have had them about 6 months and so far so good.

I have the radions ramp up deep blue, then 20k then 14k, with the T5’s on for 8 hours per day. Max output on the Radions is 50%. Overall the tank is on the blue side similar to when I ran 20k MH lights. The tank looks great in my opinion and both SPS and LPS are thriving and very good growth.

fishnugget1 · Oct 9, 2019

Obviously you got the xr 30 due to 30 inch depth. Do you get shimmer. Any disco balling. Did you consider Kessil. Just curious because I go back and forth

jkapit · Oct 9, 2019

fishnugget1 said:
Obviously you got the xr 30 due to 30 inch depth. Do you get shimmer. Any disco balling. Did you consider Kessil. Just curious because I go back and forth

Yes, there is a slight disco ball effect when the T5’s are not on and the Radions are ramped up. The way I have it when the Radions are ramped up the T5’s are on and I can’t say I ever look at the tank and notice it.

As far as considering other brands, I really did not do a thorough analysis. I really wanted Apex connectivity and others with Radions were getting good results so I went with them.