New lights....question on which one to get..

[livingcorals]

Just not sure which kind/brand to get here. Looking to get T5 6 x 39watt 36".

Here are the types to which I'm considering on...

36 inch Current USA 6x39W Nova Extreme Pro T5HO 3-10k/3-460nm Actinics

Nova Extreme Pro HO T5 6x39W

SWC T5 High Output Fixture 36" 6 bulbs



Also are fans a must for this type of light here?
This will be over my 65gal.

 

[carb850]

I would add the Aquatinics TX5 and Sunlight Supply TEK lights to the list also. Active cooling (fans) are supposed to help the efficiency of T5HO's.

What type of corals are you wanting to keep?

 

[livingcorals]

I was told the legs for the Aquantinics tx5 are $$.

Atm I have a mix reef and with T6 lights for the last 1 1/2.yr. Yup T6 did do a very well job.
Just you can not find the bulbs anyplace. Plus looking for a boost with lights. I use to have MH till it started to smoke. Than the replacement burned out inside the ballast on week two.
Looking to do some more sps with the T5s.

 

[carb850]

I haven't keep pace on the different lights over the past year. Before that time bot the TEK and Aquactinics both used the Workhorse ballast which isn't a T5 spec. I believe Aquactincs upgraded it to something better since then but I don't recall for sure.

Between the two, the TX5 had active cooling and splash shield, neither of which came with the TEK fixture. As for the legs, I believe some people lay the TX5 directly on top of the tank.

I don't anything about the Current or SWC fixtures.

 

[levischilz]

there was another thread on here about people running the nova extreme pro 6 bulb fixture and liking it. Im thinking about switching from MH to this fixture mostly for the reduce power use. Currently running 550w would go to 240w. I am close to running the NEP 36" also. The first 2 you listed are the same but some sites have different names for that same fixture. The new Nova Extreme Pro also has active cooling fans and also contoured reflector for its price its not a bad deal. Also a tip look at petmountain.com right now. They have 10% off orders over 65 and free shipping which makes that 36" fixture 272 bucks. Levi