fresnosaint
New member
Who likes what and why..I'm getting ready to purchase new lights.. I'm thinking tek but was wondering how you all like yours
nova extreme pro vs. tek lights
- Thread starter fresnosaint
- Start date
fresnosaint
New member
i believe the nova has one reflector bent to simulate individual refletors.. but not thats a big minus for the nova.
fresnosaint
New member
its funny you say that. i was on diyreef.com looking at them right now. man there alot more money though..is there a big difference. i was looking at the tx5 seies i belive there second tier fixture and for a 5 bulb 48 it was more than a 8 bulb tek..are they that much better?
fresnosaint
New member
price is always a issue at my house. my wife gets jelous of my fish tank. and thats with me spending no money on it. i like the tek's. but what make the aquatenics that much better? i saw the aqua reflectors claim 98% to the tek's claim of 95% is there more
fresno tang
New member
I am also going to buy T-5's.....teks seem nice but no fan, nova are good but single reflector, I am interested in the aquactinics constellation...individual reflectors, dual fans, triple switches with three cords for your timer... sounds very cool but a thousand bucks is a bit steep for a fluorescent light fixture though. I don't believe it would cost but a hundred and some change to make. Seems way over priced...but I could be wrong too 
:uzi:
:uzi:
divewsharks
Active member
The difference between the NEP and Tek are the reflectors and ballasts. The Tek has better of both, the reflectors alone make a big difference. You can get a clip-on Azoo fan from drfostersmith to help cool the Tek fixture and that will boost output.
The Aquatinics fixtures use even better reflectors than the Tek do.
You could always look at retro kits as well, reefgeek has really good kits.
The Aquatinics fixtures use even better reflectors than the Tek do.
You could always look at retro kits as well, reefgeek has really good kits.
kzickovich
Member
I just bought a tek fixture for my 55 gal on ebay yesterday. They are selling them with cheap bulbs but you can upgrade to gieseman powercrome bulbs cheaper then you can buy them at marine depot. I got a 4 foot 4 bulb fixture with gieseman bulbs for 325.00 with free shipping. At marine depot your talking 450.00
Kieth71
New member
When i was looking at both i went with the nep because it was less money and have active cooling.The tek has better reflectors but some of that par is lost to overheating in the fixture because of no cooling.The bulb life will also be affected because of no active cooling.I guess it comes down to do you want to spend more money on a fixture that may have some better parts but is a poor design or spend less money and get a fixture with some downside due to reflectors not being as good.I payed 350.00 shipped for a 6 bulb fixture 48" long w/bulbs and while the bulbs are not great they have kept the sps in my tank happy.Once i replace the bulbs it will make the fixture even better.If i had more money to spend i would buy an ati sunpower or power module but that was not an option for me.
kretzkiller
New member
too bad MD's price matching doesn't cover eBay.
Robb in Austin
New member
Get the TX5. Better reflectors, built in fans, great service, can sit right on the tank. (I got my 36" from diyreef; great service from Deb BTW.) Only downside is not the sleekest fixture, but it doesn't look bad.
Just picked up a lightly used 48" for my 75 build.
Just picked up a lightly used 48" for my 75 build.
fresnosaint
New member
i think the cooling is an easy fix. a small fan blowing accross the top of the tank and inside the fixture would stop the heat and also help with evaporation..so its win win.. it just seems like the tek is just a step up ya know the honda accord is a nice car and has everything a bmw has..but its not a bmw. that seems to be what we have here
fresnosaint
New member
the built in fans didnt seem to be an issue to me but someone brought up the fact that to cool the tek lights you need them to run without the optional shield. once you do that yourr leaving the reflectors open for tarnish and build up. so your loosing par after a few days. it seems that the nep might actually be a supperior light even though the ballasts and reflectors might be alittle inferior
Louis Governo
New member
Might want to check on the details of the nova. I think it says you have to run it on a covered tank, so I ruled it out.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
The Nova and Tek both have molded reflectors, the difference is the Tek reflectors are made of the right material and are a better design. If the fixture is at least 4" above the water salt spray shouldn't be a big issue so the shield isn't a big deal.
The Aquactinics have better reflectors, way better and built in cooling. The ATI's have the best reflectors and a more precise cooling method. Comes down to you get what you pay for. All 4 of the brands work, it just comes down to what do you want to raise and do you want any limits.
The Aquactinics have better reflectors, way better and built in cooling. The ATI's have the best reflectors and a more precise cooling method. Comes down to you get what you pay for. All 4 of the brands work, it just comes down to what do you want to raise and do you want any limits.
