nova extreme pro vs. tek lights

[Louis Governo]

I checked and it does.
http://www.current-usa.com/files/NovaExtremeProFAQ.pdf
it is in the FAQ:
Do I need to use a glass or acrylic top with Nova since the fixture already has a splash lens covering the
lamps?
A: Yes. A glass or acrylic top between the fixture and the water is necessary for use with any Current-USA
fixture.

 

[fresnosaint]

maybe thats a safety requirment from the company incase it falls in the tank or something like that..it doesnt make an since otherwise. i do agree with the reefer. man i dont mean to be wishy washy so ill stick with my better judgement and believe that tek is better..

 

[Louis Governo]

Probably so. Could be a warranty thing too.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I guess seeing as how the experts who have been raising saltwater corals for decades promote open top designs for better gas exchange we shouldn't use any Current USA product on any aquarium housing corals. Interesting stuff.

 

[Mr_Harry]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14846564#post14846564 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
.......we shouldn't use any Current USA product on any aquarium housing corals. .....

Why????

 

[just dave]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14846159#post14846159 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Louis Governo
I checked and it does.
http://www.current-usa.com/files/NovaExtremeProFAQ.pdf
it is in the FAQ:
Do I need to use a glass or acrylic top with Nova since the fixture already has a splash lens covering the
lamps?
A: Yes. A glass or acrylic top between the fixture and the water is necessary for use with any Current-USA
fixture.

That's just CTA legalese. I would imagine if you had a problem with any of these fixtures that was caused by corrosion you'd be on your own. In that regard the NEP is no different and is better protected compared to the units that operate without a lens.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14847803#post14847803 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Mr_Harry
Why????

That was just my smartassious response to Currents stupid Q&A about only using the fixtures over a covered tank. That is the dumbest thing I have seen in a while. Go into the coral forum and ask if you should have glass covers on your tank.

 

[fresno tang]

hmmm......

hmmm......

I have owned one of the first TEK lights and I wouldn't buy another one. First the cost is somewhat deceiving as the unit does not ship standard with legs or acrylic shield. A Lot of users that did not have the shield reported that their reflectors tarnished/oxidized and had a decrease in PAR. If you do opt for the optional shield it will increase the temp of the unit. The ballasts are enclosed and will have a shorter life span and the bulbs need to be cooled or the PAR will go down. These units do not have a self contained fan and rely on passive cooling that doesn't look like it was well thought out. The unit is very hot to the touch when running. I also do not like the fit/finish on the Maristar and TEK units as the screw holes slowly get stripped as you open the unit for cleaning/bulb changing.

I cut and paste this from another forum...it's self explanatory

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Re: hmmm......

Re: hmmm......

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14849419#post14849419 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fresno tang
I have owned one of the first TEK lights and I wouldn't buy another one. First the cost is somewhat deceiving as the unit does not ship standard with legs or acrylic shield. A Lot of users that did not have the shield reported that their reflectors tarnished/oxidized and had a decrease in PAR. If you do opt for the optional shield it will increase the temp of the unit. The ballasts are enclosed and will have a shorter life span and the bulbs need to be cooled or the PAR will go down. These units do not have a self contained fan and rely on passive cooling that doesn't look like it was well thought out. The unit is very hot to the touch when running. I also do not like the fit/finish on the Maristar and TEK units as the screw holes slowly get stripped as you open the unit for cleaning/bulb changing.

I cut and paste this from another forum...it's self explanatory

If you keep the Tek far enough above the water the reflectors should be fine. The slight oxidation doesn't seem to affect output much. I did a test on a 6x54 unit and changing the old reflector didn't increase PAR which amazed me, I would have bet the house it would have been a big gain.

 

[DarG]

The icecap slr's will stain some but not like the TEK's from what I have heard. I use a metal polish (come in a spray can) on my Icecap SLR's maybe 3 times a year when I clean them. Not one single pink/purple discoloration spot since I started using that cleaner/polish. Puts some type of coating on them they resists the salt spray and it hasnt done any damage to the finish in the two years or more that I have owned the reflectors.

Regarding current USA's covered tank stuff ... obviously a legal cover their arse in case a fixture were to fall into the tank do to the mounting legs or hanging system failing ... owners fault or fixtures fault. Stupid as it sounds I cant say I blame them for trying to cover their butts in the lawsuit happy country (and world) we live in.

I wont fault them for that. They covered a 1/3 hp chiller for me that was a month or 2 out of warranty and sent me a brand new one with no hassle. I never expected it so never asked since it was out of warranty but I warned of a potential leak issue on the forums here. Someone from Current saw the thread and offered to replace the chiller, free. They even paid shipping.
They may not have the top end products but I cant complain about their customer support or blame them for trying to legally cover themselves even if it is stated in a seemingly silly context.

And Im sorry some of this is now off topic.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14849790#post14849790 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DarG
The icecap slr's will stain some but not like the TEK's from what I have heard. I use a metal polish (come in a spray can) on my Icecap SLR's maybe 3 times a year when I clean them. Not one single pink/purple discoloration spot since I started using that cleaner/polish. Puts some type of coating on them they resists the salt spray and it hasnt done any damage to the finish in the two years or more that I have owned the reflectors.

Regarding current USA's covered tank stuff ... obviously a legal cover their arse in case a fixture were to fall into the tank do to the mounting legs or hanging system failing ... owners fault or fixtures fault. Stupid as it sounds I cant say I blame them for trying to cover their butts in the lawsuit happy country (and world) we live in.

I wont fault them for that. They covered a 1/3 hp chiller for me that was a month or 2 out of warranty and sent me a brand new one with no hassle. I never expected it so never asked since it was out of warranty but I warned of a potential leak issue on the forums here. Someone from Current saw the thread and offered to replace the chiller, free. They even paid shipping.
They may not have the top end products but I cant complain about their customer support or blame them for trying to legally cover themselves even if it is stated in a seemingly silly context.

And Im sorry some of this is now off topic.

It's pretty easy.

"Electrical hazard!!! Care should be taken to ensure the appliance doesn't come in contact with water. We are not responsible for damages or injury resulting from improper use or installation"

That is every bit as effective as saying don't use on an uncovered aquarium. You can still be sued. Fact of life. I could be sued for offering an opinion on this stuff.

 

[BPKlein]

if money is an object, I would go with the NEP. I did, and I like it. I have not owned the others though.

The nep CAN be used over an open tank...
It comes with bulbs. Not the best, but it comes with them. 6 mo later...save money...change bulbs.
The nep comes with legs...
The nep comes with an acrylic shield...
The nep comes with fans...

I was sold...

 

[DarG]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14850242#post14850242 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
It's pretty easy.

"Electrical hazard!!! Care should be taken to ensure the appliance doesn't come in contact with water. We are not responsible for damages or injury resulting from improper use or installation"

That is every bit as effective as saying don't use on an uncovered aquarium. You can still be sued. Fact of life. I could be sued for offering an opinion on this stuff.

I agree, none of it is really legally effective, anyone can be sued for just about anything. Im not arguing that the way Current stated it was a sensible way to state it, I said it was silly. My point was that the statement was to try and cover themselves from potential lawsuits, that's all. Obviously they could have stated it in a way that wasnt so ridiculous, like in your example.

Common sense should tell someone what the statement was intended for. For me anyway, I am more concerned with the way a company honors the warranty and handles CS more than whether the legalese they use in their disclaimer is sensible or not.

 

[DarG]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14850257#post14850257 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BPKlein
if money is an object, I would go with the NEP. I did, and I like it. I have not owned the others though.

The nep CAN be used over an open tank...
It comes with bulbs. Not the best, but it comes with them. 6 mo later...save money...change bulbs.
The nep comes with legs...
The nep comes with an acrylic shield...
The nep comes with fans...

I was sold...

If money is an object AND I really needed (not wanted, NEEDED) a fixture asap AND I had a shallower tank, I would go with the NEP as well. But if money wasnt tight or if I had some time to save up for something else, I wouldnt buy either one.