How do you guys feel about nova extreme?
- Thread starter bcrane
- Start date
francis1123
New member
i've used them for years with no issues. i had a mh/t5 combo that had one of the t5 ballasts go out after 5 years of use. that is pretty good, IMO.
there are definitely better options. but, for the money it is a good fixture.
there are definitely better options. but, for the money it is a good fixture.
chicagophil
New member
I am a big fan of mine. 36 inch Nova Extreme Pro. 6X39w
I am growing lots of Acans on the sand in a 22 inch high tank.
my photo period is about 9 hours full . 1 hour before and after for dual blue plus.
I am running Geismann bulbs. - replacing them yearly or sooner- will run about $120
Also- I have mine directly on my tank- water level is about 3 inches off top of tank- my tank temp with lights is 78.5 and off is 76.5 roughly, ambient temp in my place is usually 70degrees.
I am growing lots of Acans on the sand in a 22 inch high tank.
my photo period is about 9 hours full . 1 hour before and after for dual blue plus.
I am running Geismann bulbs. - replacing them yearly or sooner- will run about $120
Also- I have mine directly on my tank- water level is about 3 inches off top of tank- my tank temp with lights is 78.5 and off is 76.5 roughly, ambient temp in my place is usually 70degrees.
badazztealcobra
New member
I wouldve gone with a NEP if they made an 8 bulb option.... They dont, so I have an ATI PM over the new tank.....
Theyre nice fixtures, appear to be well made, have active cooling, etc... For the price theyre a great fixture....
Im guessing over your 90 you would be going with a 6x54w NEP unit, I think you'll be more than happy with that. The only thing I dont like is the bulbs coming with the fixture. It would be nice if you could get it without bulbs (at a discounted rate) and select your own bulb combo....
Theyre nice fixtures, appear to be well made, have active cooling, etc... For the price theyre a great fixture....
Im guessing over your 90 you would be going with a 6x54w NEP unit, I think you'll be more than happy with that. The only thing I dont like is the bulbs coming with the fixture. It would be nice if you could get it without bulbs (at a discounted rate) and select your own bulb combo....
bcrane
New member
fastandsneaky
Member
theres been alot of currentusa's product that has been discontinued though there have been many sales there might not be much service if there is a problem. i think the rumor is currentusa wants to go in a new direction with leds and what not.
bcrane
New member
Im researching both extensively
Silver_Stang
Member
I have a current orbit power compact fixture over my 29 gallon, it is really well made and has great cooling fans.
I think the only complaint with the nova extreme is that it does not have individual bulb reflectors and you cant get it without bulbs. But you have to replace bulbs after a year anyway so you just have to deal with them for that long and they probably are not that bad....
I think the only complaint with the nova extreme is that it does not have individual bulb reflectors and you cant get it without bulbs. But you have to replace bulbs after a year anyway so you just have to deal with them for that long and they probably are not that bad....
livingcorals
New member
36 inch Nova Extreme Pro. 6X39w as well and love it. Mix reef tank in a 65 gal.
Sps as of 5 months back and doing very well!
So many options with spectrum of bulb.
Sps as of 5 months back and doing very well!
So many options with spectrum of bulb.
Nova extreme fixtures are cheap and good for some things, like LPS, Softie, and Fish-Only tanks, but their reflectors are not as efficient as other T5 fixtures. Of course, you can just get one with a million bulbs in it and keep anything, but per watt metal halides are still the most efficient form of lighting.
I would recommend a 250w HQIs and big lumenarc or lumenmax reflectors. 1) even if you are only keeping LPS and Softies, they will look better under MH, 2) IMO the 250 MH is the most versatile light in the hobby. You will always have a use for it, even after you move on from your current project. But if you go with the Nova Extreme, I agree that you should get your own bulbs.
I would recommend a 250w HQIs and big lumenarc or lumenmax reflectors. 1) even if you are only keeping LPS and Softies, they will look better under MH, 2) IMO the 250 MH is the most versatile light in the hobby. You will always have a use for it, even after you move on from your current project. But if you go with the Nova Extreme, I agree that you should get your own bulbs.
livingcorals
New member
What I experienced with MH is nothing but a fire hazard. I had Aqua Medic. This happen twice in 3 years that I had them.
Not as efficient....Individually contoured reflectors for maximum light intensity. Each bulb has its own. They don't have the parabolic reflectors but does that not also help cut down heating the water? You really can not say a reflector is a reflector or anything but still.
Over all, I would have to say the only bad thing I did not like is no moon lights / build in LEDs.
When to change t5 bulbs....lol could this be a real personal preference question?
You should really just ask yourself, "what types of coral do I want to have" or "would like to have"
Not as efficient....Individually contoured reflectors for maximum light intensity. Each bulb has its own. They don't have the parabolic reflectors but does that not also help cut down heating the water? You really can not say a reflector is a reflector or anything but still.
Over all, I would have to say the only bad thing I did not like is no moon lights / build in LEDs.
When to change t5 bulbs....lol could this be a real personal preference question?
You should really just ask yourself, "what types of coral do I want to have" or "would like to have"
badazztealcobra
New member
I think some of you are mixing up the old Nova fixtures and what we are talking about. The Nova Extreme Pro (NEP) has either individually contoured or individual reflectors (I forget which), and also has cooling for better bulb performance..... Either way each bulb is surrounded by reflector instead of the old units which I believe were just a single flat piece of reflector. While it might not be the most efficient reflector, it will definitely support SPS and is more than a light for LPS, softies, and fish only tanks.
There are PLENTY of people keeping SPS under these fixtures.
2x250w MH would also look good (its what we have on the sister in laws 90g), but the choice is up to you.
If you went 2x250 with no supplementation youre looking at an additional 4.50-5.00 per month on the electric bill if youre running the lights for 8 hours per day. More if you went longer times, or supplemented with VHO.
Yearly bulb changes would be about the same $20x6 for T5 and $60x2 for MH.
There are PLENTY of people keeping SPS under these fixtures.
2x250w MH would also look good (its what we have on the sister in laws 90g), but the choice is up to you.
If you went 2x250 with no supplementation youre looking at an additional 4.50-5.00 per month on the electric bill if youre running the lights for 8 hours per day. More if you went longer times, or supplemented with VHO.
Yearly bulb changes would be about the same $20x6 for T5 and $60x2 for MH.
Misenplace101
New member
I switched over from MH to 6 bulb NEP. IMO, it's a great light for the price and I am able to keep a mixture of softies, lps and mainly sps with great growth. The plus is the individual contour reflector (I know... Individuals are better) and the built in fans. The only down side is no LEDs.
Over all for the price I am extremely happy with the NEP.
Bcrane... You are more than welcome to see the NEP over my 90 setup.
Just my .00002 cents worth. Lol
Over all for the price I am extremely happy with the NEP.
Bcrane... You are more than welcome to see the NEP over my 90 setup.
Just my .00002 cents worth. Lol
audiophile42
New member
I looked into this fixture when researching lights for my tank back in May. If my memory serves right, the NEP now has one big reflector that is contoured around the bulbs individually to mimic regular individual reflectors. Also, don't discount how important bulb combo's are for t5. They can make a tank looking amazing, or well, not good.
What about the TEK fixture? A little more expensive than the NEP, but cheaper than ATI or Aquactinics.
What about the TEK fixture? A little more expensive than the NEP, but cheaper than ATI or Aquactinics.
JNye
Moved On Up
soo true
Lumenmax elite is the best reflector I know of for MH.I have a 4 bulb 36" (its a current usa SUNDIAL), its pretty sweet. I like it. Haven't used it to grow corals yet, but the quality is nice and the bulbs aren't horrible surprisingly. I like that is has fans, moonlights, integrated timers, and mounting legs.
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