by AquaNerd | May 20, 2013 | Equipment, Industry
When it comes to stylishly functional lighting, there are few that hold a candle to Giesemann. They’ve introduced some of the best looking light fixtures that the aquarium industry has seen, and in recent years they’ve only added to their allure with products like the Teszla and Futura LED. In keeping with the same styling cues that made those too fixtures so darn beautiful to look at, Giesemann has revamped their Matrixx T5HO fixture, giving it a very similar look. Appropriately dubbed the Matrixx-II, this T5HO fixtures has a body made of heavy duty extruded and formed aluminum alloy that comes either coated in an anti-corrosion anodized silver finish or painted in a high gloss white. But the corrosion protection doesn’t stop just there. Each item that makes up the outer body of the light fixture (e.g. all joints, faces, internal faces, etc.) receive the same treatment and are either anodized or painted prior to the production of the fixture. While still on the topic of the fixture’s externals, a rather snazzy looking glass panel adorns the top of the Matrixx-II and, as we sort of mentioned, the bodywork is borrowed directly from Giesemann’s flagship LED fixtures, the Futura LED. Getting into the internals, the Matrixx-II doesn’t employ all of the same run-of-the-mill products found in other, far more boring T5HO fixtures. Where most other manufacturers might battle with quality versus price in an attempt to keep their products within a certain price range, Giesemann didn’t skimp on anything. According to the German aquarium equipment producer, each Matrixx-II is assembled using only the finest quality internals from ballasts, to lamp holders and wiring. The reflector, long thought to be the most important aspect of any T5HO system, is made from highly polished aluminum that is 99.8% reflective. Additionally, it was designed in such a way to maximize the light transfer back into the aquarium. Of course, protecting all of these internals and keeping the reflector clean is an acrylic splash guard. Temperature control was also an important aspect that Giesemann included in the Matrixx-II. This stylish T5HO fixtures uses both passive and active cooling, with the passive coming in the form of the aluminum chassis and glass panel facilitating heat transfer, with circulation fans forcing air through the system. Both of these types of cooling techniques make sure the lights are run at their optimum temperature to prolong their lifespan. The last major feature of the Matrixx-II is it’s flexibility with illuminating your aquarium. Lamps are grouped onto several power cords, allowing for added control over with the use of timers and aquarium controllers. Also, a dimmable version of the Matrixx-II is available. In terms of sizes and bulb configurations, the Matrixx-II will come as two, three, four, and five foot models, with layouts ranging from four bulbs up to eight. The goal of the Matrixx-II, as with most Giesemann products, is quality and reliability over being affordable. While this approach prices the fixture out of the hands of most aquarists, it’s hard to argue with the quality and style this fixture brings to the table. by AquaNerd | May 15, 2013 | Equipment, Industry
When it comes to features and capabilities, there are few LED fixtures that can compare with the GHL Mitras. Even at more than a year old, the sleek looking fixture is still ahead of the game in terms of what all it offers, and it will be years before some of the other LED brands catch up. But GHL isn’t going to sit idly by while the competition closes those gaps. In addition to working on the Mitras LED strip lights, they are also releasing a new model of the Mitras, the LX 6200 HV. Little will change for the new Mitras with regard to the fixture housing or even the overall functionality. Where the changes are coming, however, are the spectra of the LEDs. Due to popular demand, the Mitras LX 6200 HV will shift its color pallet to the bluer side by offering 9 separately dimmable colors. The resulting look has a more intense blue peak, which yields higher PAR values. As for the LEDs, the LX 6200 HV is just oozing with colors. It has12 x Cree XP-E blue, 12 x Cree XT-E cool white, 12 x Cree XT-E royal blue, 6 x Cree XT-E neutral white, 6 x Osram Oslon SSL true green, 6 x Osram Oslon SSL sky white, 6 x Osram Oslon SSL blue white, 6 x Osram Oslon SSL hyperred, and 6 x hyper violet 425 nm emitters. This layout differs from the Mitras LX 6100 HV (aka the original) by ditching the Osram Oslon SSL yellow and red LEDs and replacing them with Osram Oslon SSL sky white and blue white diodes. In terms of pricing, the new Mitras LX 6200 HV will be priced the exact same as its predecessor at $1199. Additionally, upgrade kits can be purchased that will convert your 6100 into a 6200, and those will run $299. by AquaNerd | Apr 17, 2013 | Equipment
April has been a busy month for Pacific Sun, who have recently announced two very capable light fixtures that blend LED and T5HO lighting technologies together into a single fixture. We already introduced the Ariel LED/T5HO hybrid last week, and today we’re focusing on its little brother, the Pandora Hyperion S. Much like the Ariel, the Pandora Hyperion S features LED panels flanked by T5HO fluorescent tubes. The difference between the two fixtures is really just the scaled back firepower and the smaller size. Where the Ariel had four T5HO bulbs and multiple LED panels, the Pandora Hyperion S has just two of the T5 fluorescents and a single 145w LED panel. The “S” in the fixture’s name stands for “shallow water”, meaning this version of the light comes without the powerful white LEDs needed for significant depth penetration. In terms of the lighting offered with the Pandora Hyperion S, the LEDs will come in 8 different color channels. For the T5HO offering, two 24w bulbs of your can fit in the unit. The LEDs are controll with an on-board wireless (Bluetooth) controller and there is an built-in 1-10v port for connecting the fixture to the various aquarium controllers on the market. The Pandora Hyperion S will have an initial price of 699.00 euros for a limited time, and will likely go up after the pre-orders are all filled. And some specs from Pacific Sun General specifications:- 8 independent LED channels (including UV)- Shallow Water technology (no white leds) – LED panels use only specially designed LED chips for best, possible spectrum- Control wireless (Bluetooth) – built-in light control computer- Additional slots 2x24W T5 with parabolic reflectors- Total lamp power – 200W (145W for LED panel)- External control (or any PWM signal input port 1-10)- Cover area – up to 100x80x80cm (40x35x35 inch)- Mounting – avalaible hanging kits / spider Mountings
by Marcin Smok | Nov 28, 2012 | DIY, Equipment, Industry
Despite the falling prices of new LED lights coming out, DIY approach is still the most cost-effective solution along with the highest level of custom-ability and an unmeasurable amount of fun and pride of building something... by Marcin Smok | Aug 31, 2012 | Equipment, Industry
Manufacturers of aquarium LED lights are doing everything to make their product stand out of the crowd an gather a steady customer base. The manufacturer of LED panel that is a subject of today’s review tries yet another approach to attract customers to...
