Nova T5 Lighting

[Nanz]

How do you guys feel about Nova Extreme T-5 Fixtures. I was thinking of buying the 8x54W 48' fixture for my 75 gallon tank.

Is that overkill? Nova does not make a 6 bulb fixture and I definitely want more than 4 bulbs at 54W.

 

[Cozen89]

haven't tried the Nova fixture, but I believe that one doesn't have individual reflectors. It is recommened for T5HO's to have individual reflectors.

 

[Nanz]

I noticed that on the TEK LIGHT T-5, 48" Light Fixture 6 x 54W lamps. They have 95% reflective aluminum inserts that increase output by over 300%. At least thats what the advertisement says, lol.

I noticed the Tek light does not have a built in fan or cooling.

I would hate to buy the wrong lights. If anyone has Nova or Tek lights please tell me if you like them or not

 

[pinniger]

I have 36" 4x39 watt Nova Extreme. Its plenty of light for my 46 gallon bow front. The only thing in my tank that really needs a lot of light is my anemone, which it thriving in my tank. I dont really have any coral besides some pumping xenia and a few other polyps.

Hope this helps.

 

[cdangel0]

Nova does not currently make a fixture with individual reflectors. The reflectors is what makes T5s so powerful.

TEK is probably one of the most praised T5 lights out there today. I personally use a Catalina fixture from E-bay and couldn't be happier with it.

T5s run cool enough that a fan is not mandatory, just a luxury - what I have read anyway. Mine has fans.

 

[Osmotic Shock]

I have the Nova 4 x 54W 48" on a FOWLR tank. It is a decent light for the money($199 at Foster and Smith). It does not have individual reflectors, does have a fan. Others will say the TEK is better and it probably is. The 8 x 54W will be a lot of light for a 75G for the price($400) and I think you will like it.
I don't recall the spectrum of the bulbs it comes with off hand, but I may change the bulbs down the road as it seems very "white".

 

[IslandCrow]

I've owned a Tek for a little over a year, and it seems to be a very good unit. A fan would certainly be nice, and in a thread somewhere around RC, Hahnmeister (may be off on the spelling) did a fan modification to his. They don't get very hot, but from what I've been told, keeping the bulbs cooler can increase PAR by up to 30%. I'd definitely take a unit with individual reflectors and no fans over a unit with a fan but a single reflector.

 

[cowboyswife]

I have the 36" 4x39 watt Nova Extreme on my 40L and my husband has the 48" on his 55. We have a mixed selection of coral including alot of LPS, mushrooms, zoas, xenia, and SPS that are all thriving. I have a crocea clam, and a rose anemone that are thriving as well. The anemone planted itself at the bottom of the tank, about an inch above the sand bed, and it is growing like a weed. These lights are very energy efficient. I would recommend them to anyone. You just have to keep the clams and SPS higher in the tank.

 

[Nanz]

Thanks for all the feedback..

Do you think 8x54W Nova is too much light for a 75?

I plant to keep an anemone, some corals and possibly a clam.

 

[Phong33]

I'd go with the tek, the individual reflectors on 6 bulbs will out perform a 8 bulb without individual reflectors any day. Thus you're saving on bulbs and electricity.

 

[Phong33]

Also, fans really aren't necessary with T5 unless you're overdriving them with ballasts like icecaps.

 

[Cozen89]

I have a TEK fixture, no built in fans. I j ust bought a $10 clip on fan and that works fine. The T5's raised my temperature about 3 degrees but the fan keeps it way down. If you gonna spend 200+ on a fixture with no individual reflectors wouldn't Pc be better? Or just spend 400 on the right light and you wont' have to upgrade anymore.

 

[Kayak_Guy]

i thought in nova looked sweet, with the blue LEDs for night time.

 

[demonsp]

My nova t-5 does not have individual reflectors for the bulbs. I wished i went MH.

 

[FullPull]

What are you planning on keeping mostly?...I have the 48" 4 x 54w Nova extreme on my 55 and I'm ok. with the light output. That being said, I'm also not into SPS or Clams. It is convenient to have moonlights and a fan (which isn't the quietest...like someone here in RC said...sounds like a bathroom fan with the door shut). I had a carpet anemone who was thriving untill he met with my powerhead (my dumbness for not putting a guard on it). For a 75, if I was looking at the extreme..I'd definately go with the 8 bulb unit.