nova extreme t5h0
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The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
You could either do an 8 lamp extreme or a 4 lamp Tek, you will get about the same light with either. I would go for the 5 lamp Aquactinics unit if it were mine.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
The Nova is not a "good" T5 system. The parabolic reflectors used on the other units nearly double the amount of light making it into the tank. a 6 lamp Nova would probably work on a 55. 4 would be about like running 4x55 PC's.
davocean
Active member
I'm not possitive about the Nova's, but I have the outer orbit (T-5 MH combo)from current.
4x54's and 2 150MH
I met the owner and talked about the reflector issue.
Now they have a reflector that has a rib in between bulbs to give more intensity.
This is on my 90, and I can't imagine wanting more intense lighting.
Even when just T-5's are on it'a pretty bright, and my corals and nems respond well to this.
I can't imagine getting better coral growth than what I have right now.
4x54's and 2 150MH
I met the owner and talked about the reflector issue.
Now they have a reflector that has a rib in between bulbs to give more intensity.
This is on my 90, and I can't imagine wanting more intense lighting.
Even when just T-5's are on it'a pretty bright, and my corals and nems respond well to this.
I can't imagine getting better coral growth than what I have right now.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
The new current halide fixtures look to have some kind of reflector on the T5's but even that doesn't make them good. The shape of the reflector is only part of the story. The material is very important. Regular aluminum is like 70% reflective, some of the special stuff that is used for relectors now is up to 98% reflective.
As far as I know the T5's are sill the one single reflector. If they have changed that it is a well kept seceret.
As far as I know the T5's are sill the one single reflector. If they have changed that it is a well kept seceret.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
Flat white surface which isnt that much worse than polishd aluminum provided about half the light a Ice Cap reflector does.
Heat also cuts down on the output. Having the lamps closer together not only restricts light transfer from the upper half on the lamps, it increases heat which lowers the output from the lamps
Heat also cuts down on the output. Having the lamps closer together not only restricts light transfer from the upper half on the lamps, it increases heat which lowers the output from the lamps
GSMguy
New member
ok the tek lights and the aquatinics have high quality individual reflectors and the output is amazing the nova is not a good system but the outer orbit does have semi individual reflectors
in the world of t5 aquatinics is the king and tek is almost as good the nova is an annoying distraction sorry the difference in quality is amazing from one to the next
in the world of t5 aquatinics is the king and tek is almost as good the nova is an annoying distraction sorry the difference in quality is amazing from one to the next
davo,
you referring to me? i dont recall stating the nova extreme was intense, at least not in comparison to other t5 fixtures. can you find the post, id be happy to clarify what i might have said.
gsmguy,
id be cautious in calling the aquactinics "king of t5". very good unit yes, but it can be hardly be called king when it doesnt use t5 spec ballasts.
if your looking for royal contenders, take a look at the fauna marin and ati units. these units are fitted with some of the better components in the t5 sector, and they are finally making their way into the us.
you referring to me? i dont recall stating the nova extreme was intense, at least not in comparison to other t5 fixtures. can you find the post, id be happy to clarify what i might have said.
gsmguy,
id be cautious in calling the aquactinics "king of t5". very good unit yes, but it can be hardly be called king when it doesnt use t5 spec ballasts.
if your looking for royal contenders, take a look at the fauna marin and ati units. these units are fitted with some of the better components in the t5 sector, and they are finally making their way into the us.
GSMguy
New member
you know where to get the ati units they are awsome but i bet they cost allot more than the aquatinics and the aquatinics solar flare uses the correct ballast and the icecap fans very cool
maybee they arent king...Best in USA? good customer service nice lights and the par numbers are real nice also design of them is nice not as wide as some
maybee they arent king...Best in USA? good customer service nice lights and the par numbers are real nice also design of them is nice not as wide as some
Once the T5 Nova Extreme's come out with the individual reflectors in the spring, would that make them more on par with the Tek and Aquitinics light fixtures since they will all have individual reflectors? Dunno what the material will be though (could be aluminum unfortunately but who knows yet)
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
The Nova's lamps are OK. If they use a good reflector there is no reason to think they wont be at least as good as the Tek. Fauna Marin is an unknown at this point. They should be among the best but until they are tested we wont know for sure.
ralphie,
i wouldnt get excited about current usa using individual t5 reflectors in a new fixture. take a look at their retro t5 reflectors that are individual, and they are nothing more than a pc reflector (shape wise, unsure about size) yet used for a single t5.
gsmguy,
not sure how many people would agree that the solar flare uses the "right" t5 ballast. technically, they dont. as the icecap ballasts overdrives the bulbs (especially the smaller ones) causing possible excessive heat (which lowers output) as well as lowering bulb life (if not cooled correctly).
subjectively, this im sure isnt an issue for the advanced diyer, that has both the will and knowledge to push t5s to get every ounce of light knowing both the consequences and the means to counteract them.
do some research, as there are a few high quality ballasts that push t5s while keeping them within their ideal temp specs, which should prolong bulb life as well as get every ounce of light in the proper manner that the t5 is capable of.
fngood,
those bulbs are packed pretty close together in a nove e, and so its would be difficult to find a relector that would not need to be bent to fit properly. secondly, doing so would be counter productive for numerous reasons.
1- why spend an extra $100 on reflectors when you could just get a better fixture already done as well as better bulbs.
2- ballasts are more likely better in numorous other fixtures as well.
3- resale value will be killer, as most would readily buy a used aquactinic, ati, tek, etc fixture over a current usa unit.
i wouldnt get excited about current usa using individual t5 reflectors in a new fixture. take a look at their retro t5 reflectors that are individual, and they are nothing more than a pc reflector (shape wise, unsure about size) yet used for a single t5.
gsmguy,
not sure how many people would agree that the solar flare uses the "right" t5 ballast. technically, they dont. as the icecap ballasts overdrives the bulbs (especially the smaller ones) causing possible excessive heat (which lowers output) as well as lowering bulb life (if not cooled correctly).
subjectively, this im sure isnt an issue for the advanced diyer, that has both the will and knowledge to push t5s to get every ounce of light knowing both the consequences and the means to counteract them.
do some research, as there are a few high quality ballasts that push t5s while keeping them within their ideal temp specs, which should prolong bulb life as well as get every ounce of light in the proper manner that the t5 is capable of.
fngood,
those bulbs are packed pretty close together in a nove e, and so its would be difficult to find a relector that would not need to be bent to fit properly. secondly, doing so would be counter productive for numerous reasons.
1- why spend an extra $100 on reflectors when you could just get a better fixture already done as well as better bulbs.
2- ballasts are more likely better in numorous other fixtures as well.
3- resale value will be killer, as most would readily buy a used aquactinic, ati, tek, etc fixture over a current usa unit.
chevegan
New member
Absolutely
Once again to everyone. It's all hearsay until there are actual numbers on the board. So really, unless you can somehow get some proof lets not go passing out incorrect information. 3 years ago PC's were the hottest thing on the market.....before that it was VHO's. And boy was it, "with VHO's you can keep anything!"
Look all I'm saying is that this is an industry that is constantly growing and changing. I've had SPS do Amazing under 96w of cheap PC lighting, and some major failures under my 20k halides. Who knows why. Why is it that in this hobby people ALWAYS think more is better? It's not. Only one thing in life is better in quantity and even that gets too much .
Back to the topic, I specifically bought a set of these just so I can see how they will perform (back ordered waiting on delivery). Unless you have done (or can do) the same you have no real info or help in the matter LOL. No hard feelings please. The only way to get a real answer is with cold hard proof.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
Unless Current is using the special reflective material to make parabolic reflectors for each lamp the output will be low compared to other systems. If they are using the good stuff and not advertising it they are screwing up big time.
Ive done PAR readings on most the reflectors out there. Including one that looked nearly identical to the Ice Cap but what made of rgular polished aluminum. It didn't have as much output as a Tek reflector which is a dull finish.
Ive done PAR readings on most the reflectors out there. Including one that looked nearly identical to the Ice Cap but what made of rgular polished aluminum. It didn't have as much output as a Tek reflector which is a dull finish.
davocean
Active member
Hey NEMO, I didn't remember which lighting you used, just thought I remembered you saying 4 bulbs on a 55 was plenty, and that 8 was a little overkill.
I agree it depends on which lights.
I helped someone set up and tought them what I could about reefs, and in return they gave me my system.
Current is about 5 miles from me, so I went there and met the owner and talked about the reflector issue and he said they were changing that in order to be comparable with the other systems.
I'm real happy with mine, but I have no exp. w/ the other systems.
I agree it depends on which lights.
I helped someone set up and tought them what I could about reefs, and in return they gave me my system.
Current is about 5 miles from me, so I went there and met the owner and talked about the reflector issue and he said they were changing that in order to be comparable with the other systems.
I'm real happy with mine, but I have no exp. w/ the other systems.
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