Nova Extreme T5's

[taftonomos]

Question about these....

I'd like to replace my MH setup (2 x250 watt xm 20k's in lumenbrite reflectors) with a T5 setup.

I'd like to have a lower power bill, less heat into the tank, and a softer look. I do a little SPS, but more softies. I'd like to get a clam soon as well.

Searching around, I find a 6 bulb T5 setup for my 75 tank. This has individual reflectors for each bulb, is around 10" wide. These are a bit pricier than the 8 bulb setup.

I also find a 8 bulb system with a single reflector. It's about 14" wide. I'm wondering if the extra bulbs overcome the lack of individual reflectors? The 8 bulb setup also comes with some LED night lights which is a nice feature, but won't sway me one way or another.

 

[texhorns98]

If you really don't think more SPS is in your future, go with the 8 bulb, IMO. The individual reflectors give punch to the bottom areas of the tank. I run a compact 6 bulb with individual reflectors and mine is only 9 inches wide. It covers my 21 inch deep tank just fine.

 

[weaglereefer]

Go with the 6-bulb. Few reasons:

1) Bulb replacement cost is lower. Depending on how much more the 6-bulb fixture is (I assume the Pro series) this will be covered when you replace the OEM bulbs with ones from ATI, UVL, and Geismann, which you <u>will</u> want to do.

2) Less power. That's 108w less than the 8 bulb fixture. It's 324w vs. 432. If one of the reasons for making the switch is less power, then you want to try to make it worth it.

3) Penetration. The extra 2 bulbs most likely will not make up for the lack of reflectors, unless you run all actinics on the 6-bulb setup and all daylights on the 8-bulb setup. Individual reflectors help...<u>a lot</u>.

4) Finally, the 6-bulb setup will offer less combinations of bulbs (trust me, this is a good thing, you could go crazy just trying to find the right combo on an 8-bulb setup). You'll likely end up with 3 actinics on one switch, and the other switch will have your "dalylight" bulbs, probably one in the 6000k-9000k range, one in the 12000k-15000k range, and then something like a Fiji purple or another actinic.

5) When you change setups again (we all do, lol) the 6-bulb unit will hold its value better than the 8-bulb.

 

[brianjfinn]

au01st;515261 wrote: Go with the 6-bulb. Few reasons:

1) Bulb replacement cost is lower. Depending on how much more the 6-bulb fixture is (I assume the Pro series) this will be covered when you replace the OEM bulbs with ones from ATI, UVL, and Geismann, which you <u>will</u> want to do.

2) Less power. That's 108w less than the 8 bulb fixture. It's 324w vs. 432. If one of the reasons for making the switch is less power, then you want to try to make it worth it.

3) Penetration. The extra 2 bulbs most likely will not make up for the lack of reflectors, unless you run all actinics on the 6-bulb setup and all daylights on the 8-bulb setup. Individual reflectors help...<u>a lot</u>.

4) Finally, the 6-bulb setup will offer less combinations of bulbs (trust me, this is a good thing, you could go crazy just trying to find the right combo on an 8-bulb setup). You'll likely end up with 3 actinics on one switch, and the other switch will have your "dalylight" bulbs, probably one in the 6000k-9000k range, one in the 12000k-15000k range, and then something like a Fiji purple or another actinic.

5) When you change setups again (we all do, lol) the 6-bulb unit will hold its value better than the 8-bulb.

Beat me to it. That's exactly what I was going to say.

 

[snowmansnow]

Aquactinics Constellation, if you're 48" wide. 7 lamp. individual reflectors, active cooling, 3 built in switches, will let you grow any sps you want. It's what I've had for a few years now.

B

 

[taftonomos]

Thanks again guys/gals. Scored a Current fixture, and as suggested I went with the 6 bulb individual reflector model

Now I need a new 75 so I can re-do my overflow, and make a "new" tank.

 

[ferraridude112]

I just got my aquaticlife 6 bulb fixture with lunars and a built in controller...although my tank isn't set up yet it does a great job of putting out light and lighting up my whole living room. Just in case you were interested heres the link:

 

[taftonomos]

No lunar lights on mine, but I can always add them with what I saved.

I would like to fit this fixture inside my existing canopy, I'm assuming just cut out the holes on the side for the built in fans, should be ok?

I'm currently running 2 250MH's over the tank, and I'm SICK of the fan's coming on and off (have the fans on a ranco 2 stage temp controller). I'm assuming I'll need to keep a fan on the tank, but hoping I can just relocate it to the sump.

I also need to search around...somewhere I read that you could use a high powered LED to get the shimmer back... ?

 

[sree]

BIGGQ00;515658 wrote: +1......If you dont want to go with nova extreme, try aquatic life. i have a 4-bulb and added a 2-bulb and i love them both!

I recently bought the 12 lamp aquaticlife for my 125.. The corals are very happy with this one.