Giesemann Stellar Long-Term Review & Comparison With Aquatic Life T5/LED Hybrid

[@scottwells1692]

Gerat review. Definitely tempted to buy one for my tank. How did you fixture until to your ceiling?

[@ReefDork]

I fixed a length of wood to the ceiling with butterfly fixings then screwed the hanging kit into the wood.

[@9StickNate]

Do you still have the box? Does the box of transformer say 110v-220v? I live in Germany, but I'm going to move back to the states in 4 years. It would be nice if I could use the fixture under both voltages.I had an Aurora back in the states and it's build quality was amazing. If I purchase a T5 unit it would be the giesemann. I wonder if ATI will make one?

[@ReefDork]

I don't have it I'm afraid. ATI doesn't strike me as the sort of company to follow trends so if they do one, I'd bet it'll be years away.

[@sunnygoold9449]

Awesome - I have been planning on getting the Stellar - on the continent the lights are the same price but the Stellar is so much nicer. I am also planning a wider tank (75 or 80cm) and I have an SB Reef Light which wouldn't fit in the standard AL. Tidal Gardens has a great video showing how different corals look under different T5 combos. On thing I think you were going to mention but forgot is that these can help you save money. You need less Radions / Kessils etc. and you get a beautiful "fitting" to hold them. Also after watching the BRS Investigates on the life of T5's I think you could stagger using them and get a couple of years out of the bulbs. All in all a great choice of light and a great review. One part I really loved is that the info that fans are not necessarily a good thing and neither is ramping. I will stagger the pairs of bulbs on and off and give them little breaks in the day anyhow. I like those little peaks and troughs. I would also prefer to run the T5s on the edge of the day and use the LEDs in the middle for that more intense period. There's starting to be more science coming out about the length of the photoperiod and the intensity but mother nature has diffused light in morning and evening and more intense (overhead) light in the middle of the day so I will try to replicate that until I see more info. I was already sure I would get these lights but the review has made me much more confident. Now I just have to work out the length to get ;) Thanks ;)

[@ReefDork]

Good to hear - a decision you won't regret 😁

[@AnotherWittyUsername]

Hi Reef Dork! I've just bought one of these second hand and excited to get it up and running. I noticed at 4.11 that you have this ceiling mounted to some sort of rail or support, rather than directly into the plasterboard. Would you mind giving a little info on that? Thanks!

[@ReefDork]

Yep - I cut a bit of wood to use as a mounting bar. I fixed it to the plasterboard with 5 spring toggles. Then attached the Stellar mounting kit to the wood. That way, the weight is carried by 5 points, instead of the 2 you'd have if you fixed the Stellar direct to the ceiling. Possible overkill but the consequences of it failing would be dire! So worth the effort for me.

[@AnotherWittyUsername]

@@ReefDork Great idea. Aside from the redundancy it just looks really slick. Some amazing tanks have goofy looking light rigs which can be a real shame.I'll give it a go, thanks!

[@ukreefer4907]

Have you noticed much of a difference on your electric bill pal? Been thinking about going hybrid for a while 👍

[@ReefDork]

I couldn't tell you the exact difference but it does chew through electricity. 160w for 7 hours a day...

[@ukreefer4907]

Reef Dork I’m sure I’ve done something wrong but I’ve just clocked it to almost a fiver a month?

[@skeptics_reef5575]

I think it's a bit annoying that you have to spend so much to make it shorter, new end plates and new LED brackets... I think they should give the option to chose a short or long version to begin with, rather than buying something and then having to spend additional money from the off to make it fit. Personally I think a small thing like that would make them a bit more appealing, especially as the majority of complete type systems are not 2ft front to back and mostly 50cm

[@ReefDork]

Yep, completely agree. The shortening set only comes with one LED bracket too so you have to buy another 🤬

[@skeptics_reef5575]

@@ReefDorkwould also mean that there would be less wasted materials as those that want the shorter size dont have useless excess parts.. less wasted materials is arguably better for the planet, come on giesemann offer choice for short or long, do it for the planet..and my wallet ha.. great video BTW 👍

[@skeptics_reef5575]

The Americans seem to have different mounting struts to what is available in Europe.. they bolt to the top of the LED fixtures rather than things that sit underneath with 3m tape... how secure are the LEDs

[@ReefDork]

My LEDs haven't budged an inch in the time I've had these. And I don't use the adhesive tape. But they could definitely be fixed on more securely.

[@karennation3580]

How high do you have to mount and do you get the hot spots with these units? also where would I get the mounting brackets. Dont want to hang from ceiling?

[@ReefDork]

Mine are currently 9 inches off the water surface - Giesemann sell a tank mount though so you don't have to hang it. They're fantastic for reducing hot spots - T5s give really smooth spread.

[@Venantes1]

Got the Stellar not mountet yet mountet tho. Seems i got the right light

[@t.c.baquariumfish3423]

Nice tank 👍😎

[@ReefDork]

Thanks buddy 👍

[@canvoodoo]

HIya I have a stellar and Ap700 just wondering what settings you have on your Ap700 please.

[@ReefDork]

I'll post the full settings on Sunday - I'm away and can't access the app. But it ramps up to 80% for most of the day at 50% colour.

[@canvoodoo]

@@ReefDork Thanks much appreciated. Love the channel by the way. The door cabinet hangers from the useful things video was a life changer lol. :)

[@markmckinnell2204]

It would be Giesmann for me as their reputation for quality would sway my decision 👍

[@booniec1078]

over priced