2 x 24w Nova Extreme SLR - or- 4 x 24w Nova or Tek fixture?

[Newreeflady]

Hi have the 2 x 24w Nova extreme SLR. Not sure it's quite enough light, but thought I'd check for a consensus.

So, there are the options of going with the 4 x 24w Nova Extreme SLR fixture, or getting a Tek 4 x 24w. Is there really a quality difference here? The price difference is about $50, so if the latter is really much better...

OTOH, if I'm really not needing more light, then I guess I'll hold tight. I keep LPS, but also have monti cap and a scroll coral.

Thoughts?
thx!
-A

 

[reefscape15]

Angela, I had the Nova Extreme (older version without single reflectors) over my 20gal and it kept my Green Scroll very nice and bright. I tried a Green w/Purple Ridge cap and that faded out quite a bit. I don't know if it was lighting or something else that caused this, but if you are going to do anymore SPS, I'd have to recommend either one of those fixtures. The SLR's are just the same as mine, but with a new reflector. I'm not sure on the quality difference between Tek and Current, but either way, you'll want to replace the stock bulbs. The Current comes with 2 - 10K and 2 - 460nm, all current bulbs. I switched mine out to ATI Reef Blue 10k, UVL 12k, UVL 420nm, and UVL 460nm. All the colors came out much more than with the stock bulbs, and the entire tank just seemed to have more of an appeal. I have had no problems with my Current fixture till just recently. I have the daylights and nightlights on seperate timers, and the daylights have just started not coming on all the time. Sometimes when I flip the switch a few times I can get them on, but they don't always come on with the timer when they are supposed to. I'd immagine that it's something with the starting/firing mechanism, but i haven't looked into it. I've had that fixture for about 3 years and thats the only issue. Runs fairly cool if you keep the fan inlet and outlet clean.

 

[Newreeflady]

Hey Jim,

I ended up purchasing a second 2-bulb current fixture and am going to just add that to the other. Cheaper that way since I was halfway there, but takes more space. eh.

Bulbs:

ATI blue plus
ATI aquablue
UVL Actinic White
Geisemann Pure 03 actinic

Let ya know when it gets here. I'm only running the first two bulbs, and it is very washed out, imo.

-A

 

[reefscape15]

It should bring out some more color and not be so washed out when you get the other two bulbs in there. All you have are blue favoring bulbs which will wash out the color if only ran by themselves. Nice idea on just another T-5 2 bulb. Are they individual reflectors for all bulbs?

 

[Newreeflady]

It should bring out some more color and not be so washed out when you get the other two bulbs in there. All you have are blue favoring bulbs which will wash out the color if only ran by themselves. Nice idea on just another T-5 2 bulb. Are they individual reflectors for all bulbs?

Heya Jim,

Yep, definitely washed out- I bought those bulbs hesitantly because they were recommended by Grim in the T5 thread. But, we all have different tastes! I'm pretty excited about the other two. The plan is to run the front 2-bulb fixture with the Aquablue followed by the Actinic White. Then run the back two starting with the Actinic 03 then blue plus.

Do you think it's OK to keep the back two on for most of the day, or is the blue plus still a lot of usable light that I'd have to be concerned about algae growing if run too long?

I was thinking front fixture run starting 4 hours, eventually getting to 7. The back fixture will be run 13 hours, then the moonlights for a few hours after that. OK?

Thanks for chiming in. I'm really excited about getting my yellows and reds back! I've just never been a fan of the washed out blue look- reminds me of a toilet bowl. :rollface:

-A

 

[reefscape15]

Keep an eye on algae if you run your lights more than 10hrs per day. But, I thing you SHOULD be fine. I usually have my actinics on for 12hrs, daylight T-5's on for 9-10hrs and MH for about 7-8. Hopefully your new lights will provide the look you are going for. ATI, Giesmaann, and UVL are the top 3 brands, regardless to what whoever says. I don't think you ever answered, but do the bulbs have individual reflectors?

 

[Newreeflady]

Keep an eye on algae if you run your lights more than 10hrs per day. But, I thing you SHOULD be fine. I usually have my actinics on for 12hrs, daylight T-5's on for 9-10hrs and MH for about 7-8. Hopefully your new lights will provide the look you are going for. ATI, Giesmaann, and UVL are the top 3 brands, regardless to what whoever says. I don't think you ever answered, but do the bulbs have individual reflectors?

Yeppers, sure do. I am not sure the reflectors are the highest quality, but they are individual.

I think the Blue Plus is 460 and 420 nm. I am not sure if the Blue Plus has higher wavelengths with light that can used for photosynthesis by the coral.... hmmm.

Shot you a pm a while back- still interested in the overflow box? shoot me a pm and lmk. thx.


-A

 

[Newreeflady]

Couldn't be more pleased- the lighting is just beautiful. The Actinic White UVL really made the difference between washed out and perfection.

-A

 

[reefscape15]

Glad to hear that it's looking good. Can you post a pic and some details on your setup? I'd really like to see your system.