Johnny C
New member
While I'm uploading a new one with full-spectrum, check this old one out: (bad quality... does no justice)!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nnYAf2bMn4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nnYAf2bMn4
T5 or not to T5
- Thread starter Buganddoug
- Start date
Buganddoug
X NJRC Vice President
Looking forward to your new video.
Johnny C
New member
The quality and colors are WAY off on this (phone cam), so don't judge... just trying to get a point across! lol
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oG6ZvuATjE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oG6ZvuATjE
Buganddoug
X NJRC Vice President
Is there any thing wrong with the Nova Fixture?
redfishsc
New member
Depends. Current USA typically makes a good product but they do bizarre things sometimes.
For example, their older style Nova Extreme has only one big cheezy reflector and two very pitiful LEDs. Trust me, I have that fixture (4X24). The LED's are barely visible even at night on my 25g.
Next, they decided to upgrade the reflectors to the new "SLR" (single lamp reflectors) that are a lot better, but on the model I'd consider (the 4X24) they left out the cooling fan---- which is an UTTER NO-NO on an enclosed T5 system like that. The heat buildup on that model must be ridiculous. The 36" and 48" models have the fans.. but not the 24" for some reason.
Add to that their more upscale T5 light, the Nova Extreme Pro. They offer a 6X18w light, but they are the only company that offers an 18" T5, so you're roped into their lights for replacements. Not to mention the sub-quality lights that they send them with.
Second, they don't even offer the Pro model in 24" for some reason.
That being said, the Nova Extreme SLR's in the 36 and 48" sizes that have the fans are good lights!! So are all the Nova Extreme Pro's in 36" and up.
I've had no quality issues at all with my Nova Extreme (old style). Seems well made.
redfishsc
New member
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15622225#post15622225 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by CaliDreaminjC
Alright... what's all this Nova talk? My T5 fixture is made by Catalina, not Nova! LOL. Nothing wrong w/ 'em, just not what I own.
Back to the point though... I hope my low-qual vids helped a bit. T5s + LEDs have always worked well for me.
Well, true, but the original poster is getting some good info on Novas and Catalinas now
Thanks for the vids. You have me browsing for LED options now. Not that i needed anything else to spend money on :mixed:
Buganddoug
X NJRC Vice President
I need a fixture that is 72" long and the only one I can find is a Current USA 72" 12x39w Nova Extreme Pro. 72" comes with 12x39watt T5HO 6-10k/6-460nm actinics 2 Fans Individually
Contoured Reflectors
you can find more info at
http://www.championlighting.com/product.php?productid=31358
Just need help to make sure I get something great and not to regret it.
I do not like having four Ballast and all the wiring coming from my M/H set up. That all so be a big plus on the Nova Extreme Pro.
Contoured Reflectors
you can find more info at
http://www.championlighting.com/product.php?productid=31358
Just need help to make sure I get something great and not to regret it.
I do not like having four Ballast and all the wiring coming from my M/H set up. That all so be a big plus on the Nova Extreme Pro.
Mr. Thingdoer
Don't ban me bro
I have a 36" Nova Extreme Pro, and love it. I replaced the bulbs, and it keeps everything in my tank wonderfully.
redfishsc
New member
72" tanks are notoriously hard to light b/c the 72" lights are hard to find, if they even exist.
The best option you have is to get lights that are the next size down, but stagger them in their placement in the canopy (if you have a canopy).
This gives you the most intense light toward the middle, where we tend to put our higher-light stuff anyhow, and still plenty of light on the sides for pretty much anything but the highest light lovers
Like this
..........=================
=================..........
..........=================
=================..........
..........=================
=================..........
The best option you have is to get lights that are the next size down, but stagger them in their placement in the canopy (if you have a canopy).
This gives you the most intense light toward the middle, where we tend to put our higher-light stuff anyhow, and still plenty of light on the sides for pretty much anything but the highest light lovers
Like this
..........=================
=================..........
..........=================
=================..........
..........=================
=================..........
i currently have a high end t5 fauna marin starfire fixture....
8 bulb unit and dimmable....
what i love is the dimming... it is awesome...and my controller simulates random cloud cover via dimming... what a difference it makes....
what i do miss from mh is the shimmer... i loved the shimmer...
so pros and cons... but i dont know if i would have loved t5 so much if i couldnt dim them and 95% of the fixtures dont dim.....
8 bulb unit and dimmable....
what i love is the dimming... it is awesome...and my controller simulates random cloud cover via dimming... what a difference it makes....
what i do miss from mh is the shimmer... i loved the shimmer...
so pros and cons... but i dont know if i would have loved t5 so much if i couldnt dim them and 95% of the fixtures dont dim.....
BeanAnimal
Premium Member
In many cases, you could use 36" 39W bulbs end to end... of course depending om the hood
redfishsc
New member
The big downside to putting the 36" end to end is that you have 12 bulbs to keep up with.
Granted, the 60" bulbs cost a couple dollars more than the 36", but still you are having to pay nearly 2X the amount for bulb replacement every year.
Otherwise the 36" end to end is a great way to go.
Granted, the 60" bulbs cost a couple dollars more than the 36", but still you are having to pay nearly 2X the amount for bulb replacement every year.
Otherwise the 36" end to end is a great way to go.
BeanAnimal
Premium Member
Yup... a bit more costly, but if coverage is that important
plancton
Active member
I´ve had mixed results, tried different bulbs, and balalsts. You can keep just about anything and there´s so many benefits to it, like low wattage consumption.
But some corals just won´t get the right colorations, such as zoos will never open well. Some really high light acros such as nassutas will not color up nicely.
And growth will be at least 20% less than under HQI or MH.
In other words, they´re just fine, but right now I want my stuff to grow so much and fast and want to keep zoos really opened and everything exagerately top notch, so I´m switching to HQI+T5
But some corals just won´t get the right colorations, such as zoos will never open well. Some really high light acros such as nassutas will not color up nicely.
And growth will be at least 20% less than under HQI or MH.
In other words, they´re just fine, but right now I want my stuff to grow so much and fast and want to keep zoos really opened and everything exagerately top notch, so I´m switching to HQI+T5
I don't know about you guys, but I truly think the best of both worlds is a MH+T5 supplement fixture.
I have tried everything, T5s, MH, PC, nothing was anywhere near.
And now for my new tank which I am setting up right now I have gone all the way and ordered a Spiligoi Infinity fixture, combining 1x400 watt MH, 4x24 watt T5s and 2 moonlight LEDs. All in italian modern technology
I have tried everything, T5s, MH, PC, nothing was anywhere near.
And now for my new tank which I am setting up right now I have gone all the way and ordered a Spiligoi Infinity fixture, combining 1x400 watt MH, 4x24 watt T5s and 2 moonlight LEDs. All in italian modern technology
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