Unable to fit Twinstar 600E on Aquascaper 600??

[torque6]

I used to have a ADA 60-P and have used the Twinstar 600E with no issue. The interior measurement for the 60-P was 59cm with 0.5cm thickness. With the Aquascaper 600, the thickness came in at 0.8cm and the interior measurement of the 58.4cm??

On the Twinstar 600E website, it stated that it will fit both 5mm and 8mm glass.

Appreciate some help.

 

[Siege]

Should fit spot on. Have you got a photo?

 

[torque6]

Should fit spot on. Have you got a photo?

I was able to push fit it. It's really a tight fit, I hope the stand doesn't crack under pressure.

 

[rebel]

Can you loosen the side nuts holding the unit?

 

[Siege]

Can you loosen the side nuts holding the unit?

Good call. I did that recently to fit one on a tank that it definitely shouldn’t fit.

Should go straight onto the EA Aquascaper tank. Maybe the screws have been over tightened pulling the acrylic stand in somehow.

 

[torque6]

hello, and so I have finally aquired the ADA 60 (H), which is of the similar thickness glass as the aquascaper 600, and has 8mm Ultra Clear Glass.

Also I have bought 2 sets of TWinstar, an earlier edition in 2016 and also the latest 2019 model. Here the pictures of the 2 lights on my ADA 60H (45).



Both does not fit.





Twinstar USA conveyed that the light should fit with a 8mm glass, but it does not. No idea why rubbish they were sprouting.



This is the close up of Generation 1 2016, as you can see, it will fit if you force it down. And I mean really forcing it in, stressing the tank and the acrylic stand.



So I compared both LEDs and found that the latest model 2019 is longer by a few mm vs the Generation 1 model.





I have absolutely no idea how the guys at Twinstar USA is able to cramp down the LEDs in this display tank.



Looks like I'll have to SELL both leds and get a Twinstar S series to fit. What a hassle.

 

[torque6]

By the way, is it me or is their Aquascaper 600 display in George farmer video looks slanted? The mounted Twinstar 600 seems higher than the left than the rignt side of the tank.



This is the statement from Aquarium gardens. It suppose to fit, but it doesn't?

 

[Gill]

It Is a Shame. I had this same problem with the Chihiros double unit Luminaire. So Just sanded it down slightly with my Dremmel and it took of enough to make it sit flush.

 

[torque6]

It Is a Shame. I had this same problem with the Chihiros double unit Luminaire. So Just sanded it down slightly with my Dremmel and it took of enough to make it sit flush.

I could sand down the 1st generation 2016 model, but I don't see how I am able to with the latest 2019 models. The length of the LED exceeds the interior of the tank.

No idea what's wrong with this company.

 

[howanic]

I have an Aquascaper 600 with Twinstar E both purchased last year, so more than likely the 2019 models... (although I'll double check tonight)... The first time I fit the light unit, I did have to force it to fit as it sat just as yours does in your photo. But it's been sitting on the 600 happily now for 6 months or so with no problems. It also seems to have adjusted and isn't so tight now.

tbh I found the tight fit kinda reassuring. But as I said.. I'll double check tonight that I definitely have the 2019 model, as I don't want you to break yours if I'm wrong.

 

[Wookii]

I could sand down the 1st generation 2016 model, but I don't see how I am able to with the latest 2019 models. The length of the LED exceeds the interior of the tank.

No idea what's wrong with this company.

I know its not ideal, and the manufacturer should get this right, or build in some flexibility, but as a quick idea to solve your current installation - could you not remove each clear support, and rotate them around 180 degrees - so the opposite side of the support mates with the light fitting. This looks like it should enable you to get the lip on the support on the outside of the glass rather than the inside on the 2019 model (based on your images).

You might need some longer bolts if you did this, by the looks of it, as you would lose the recess in the clear plastic (I'd presume they are a metric size, and you can probably pick some up off Amazon). You could also use some washers in between the supports and the light fitting if that doesn't quiet get you right to the outside of the tank glass edge.

 

[Siege]

Hi @torque6

After reading your post today I did some playing for you.

I tried an old generation 600E on an aquascaper 600 and it goes on perfectly.

also tried a new generation 45cc light on a 45-H tank and again it goes on fine. Initially sits on the glass but with the lightest of touches slips in fine, I believe this uses the same brackets as the E light.

I know George Farmers 600 scape tank that was at AG and the light fitted fine. If you look carefully you’ll see the camera is at an angle to the tank, hence the straight lines are not ‘straight’ if that makes sense.

Can you loosen the side nuts holding the unit?

I’d go back to Rebel’s comment ages ago, loosen the screws slightly. Slot the light in and then tighten. I think the only explanation is the bottom screws have been over tightened pulling the brackets in very slightly.

It should fit nicely. You do not need to do any sanding of the brackets!

saying that, the S light will be a lovely upgrade! 🙂

 

[torque6]

I know its not ideal, and the manufacturer should get this right, or build in some flexibility, but as a quick idea to solve your current installation - could you not remove each clear support, and rotate them around 180 degrees - so the opposite side of the support mates with the light fitting. This looks like it should enable you to get the lip on the support on the outside of the glass rather than the inside on the 2019 model (based on your images).

You might need some longer bolts if you did this, by the looks of it, as you would lose the recess in the clear plastic (I'd presume they are a metric size, and you can probably pick some up off Amazon). You could also use some washers in between the supports and the light fitting if that doesn't quiet get you right to the outside of the tank glass edge.

No you cannot rotate the the legs to support on the outside, unless you wan to cut the light cable on the left acrylic leg. Even so, the acrylic stands have recessed screw-in holes on them. It wouldn't be perfect.

 

[torque6]

Hi @torque6

After reading your post today I did some playing for you.

I tried an old generation 600E on an aquascaper 600 and it goes on perfectly.

also tried a new generation 45cc light on a 45-H tank and again it goes on fine. Initially sits on the glass but with the lightest of touches slips in fine, I believe this uses the same brackets as the E light.

I know George Farmers 600 scape tank that was at AG and the light fitted fine. If you look carefully you’ll see the camera is at an angle to the tank, hence the straight lines are not ‘straight’ if that makes sense.

I’d go back to Rebel’s comment ages ago, loosen the screws slightly. Slot the light in and then tighten. I think the only explanation is the bottom screws have been over tightened pulling the brackets in very slightly.

It should fit nicely. You do not need to do any sanding of the brackets!

saying that, the S light will be a lovely upgrade! 🙂

Thank you for the help, but no. Loosening the screws doesn't work, because on the 2019 model, the length of the LED, minus the acrylic feet is longer than the interior of the 60x45x45 tank.

This only affects the 60cm length LED, the 30cm or the 45cm does not have this problem, because there isn't a 8mm glass thickness for those tanks.

 

[Nuno Gomes]

It's the opposite problem of what happened to me. I got a 900E II for my 90x45x45 tank, but it doesn't fit probably because the glass thickness is 8mm and not 10mm. Nothing a little adjustment to the screws won't fix, but the fit isnt tight at all.

 

[howanic]

I’m sorry I couldn’t find the box to confirm the year of my twinstar, but I brought it last year from AG, so I’d have thought it is a 2019 model or late 2018.

When I first sat it on my aquascaper it did sit on the glass, and had others not used this combination of light and tank I’d have probably presumed they were not compatible.

In the end I just forced it on. it did feel a bit wrong, but as I said previously, it didn’t break and after a few months it’s now a perfect fit.

Obviously I don’t want to encourage you to force your twinstar on if you really feel that you’ll break something. But just sharing my experience with it.

 

[torque6]

It's the opposite problem of what happened to me. I got a 900E II for my 90x45x45 tank, but it doesn't fit probably because the glass thickness is 8mm and not 10mm. Nothing a little adjustment to the screws won't fix, but the fit isnt tight at all.

So 900E has a version 2 as well? If the glass thickness is 8mm instead of 10mm, it should fit, I reckon a bit loosely, because the light set is rated for a 10mm glass. However, if you did a 90x45x45 tank with a 12mm glass, you will have the same problem as me now.

 

[torque6]

I’m sorry I couldn’t find the box to confirm the year of my twinstar, but I brought it last year from AG, so I’d have thought it is a 2019 model or late 2018.
When I first sat it on my aquascaper it did sit on the glass, and had others not used this combination of light and tank I’d have probably presumed they were not compatible.
In the end I just forced it on. it did feel a bit wrong, but as I said previously, it didn’t break and after a few months it’s now a perfect fit.
Obviously I don’t want to encourage you to force your twinstar on if you really feel that you’ll break something. But just sharing my experience with it.

Yeah, that's what I thought, no issue, I am just leaving it slanted for now on the tank.

 

[Tankless]

I have a similar problem in that my Twinstar 600 SA does not fit the aquascaper 600 as imagined. One of the two fixing brackets will not sit flush on the tank as its a cm too large. I've contacted Aquarium Gardens who will speak to Twinstar on Monday.

 

[torque6]

I have a similar problem in that my Twinstar 600 SA does not fit the aquascaper 600 as imagined. One of the two fixing brackets will not sit flush on the tank as its a cm too large. I've contacted Aquarium Gardens who will speak to Twinstar on Monday.

A cm too long? but the glass thickness is only 8mm thick?