72" T5 fixtures.

[hul kogan]

I'm trying to find all my options for 72" T5 fixtures. If you know of any please post them up. If you own one (or did in the past) and would like to share your opinion, experience, or the like...please feel free.
Right now I am looking at the Current USA Nova Extreme Pro T5. It runs 12 (39 watt) bulbs. It seems to be reasonably priced while still offering individual reflectors (well, one reflector bent to reflect each bulb separately).

 

[lil.guppy]

I have a nova and I love it! As long as it has the individual reflectors they are good.

 

[btldreef]

I love the Nova Extreme, except, I replaced two actinic bulbs with WavePoints 460 Actinics and noticed a huge difference.
I was going to get a 72" light, but my LFS was out of stock at the time. I ended up getting two 36" lights instead. Since the Nova models have adjustable legs, they fit on my tank (155g) really well and moving one smaller light to feed coral is much easier than one large light. Also, with the 36" bulbs, there are more options for different lighting and manufacturers. There are very few options with the full 72" bulb.
As for the reflectors, one of my lights is an older model than the other and one has individual reflectors while the other just has one large reflector, I've noticed NO difference at all between the two lights.
Good luck

 

[hul kogan]

Originally Posted by BTLDreef
http:///forum/post/3158214
Also, with the 36" bulbs, there are more options for different lighting and manufacturers. There are very few options with the full 72" bulb.
The Nova Extreme Pro actually utilizes 36" bulbs, 6 on each side.
Originally Posted by BTLDreef
http:///forum/post/3158214
As for the reflectors, one of my lights is an older model than the other and one has individual reflectors while the other just has one large reflector, I've noticed NO difference at all between the two lights.
Interesting. You're the first person I have ever seen that said individual reflectors don't matter. Do you see a visual difference in the way the light is scattered between the two?

 

[btldreef]

Originally Posted by hul kogan
http:///forum/post/3158238
The Nova Extreme Pro actually utilizes 36" bulbs, 6 on each side.
Interesting. You're the first person I have ever seen that said individual reflectors don't matter. Do you see a visual difference in the way the light is scattered between the two?

I wasn't sure if it had the 36" bulbs. I thought so.
Not at all. At times I forget which light has the individual and which light doesn't. Absolutely no difference visually as well as with the coral/anemone growth/health.

 

[hul kogan]

Originally Posted by BTLDreef
http:///forum/post/3158240
Not at all. At times I forget which light has the individual and which light doesn't. Absolutely no difference visually as well as with the coral/anemone growth/health.
Hmm, that's really interesting to know. Thanks for the input.

 

[saltn00b]

there should be a large difference in PAR ratings. what corals are you keeping? lower light corals won't care either way.
i have the Aquactinics Constellation - it is awesome. T5 x 14 bulbs. seperate, individual reflectors, fans, and three switches for a nice simulated sunrise / sunset

 

[fraggle rock]

As far as the Nova thats pretty much the one to buy, the stock lamps are so so, youll do fine for awhile but consider an upgrade. I am using the wave points bulbs with a 12k 460nM and 420nM in a 48" nova and visually things are great.. Refarding the individual reflectors.. It does make a difference, but it may only be detectable with a PAR meter.. Current uses a german parabolic in single reflector units that is pretty good, and visually you probably would never know the differefnce from individuals.

 

[btldreef]

Originally Posted by fraggle rock
http:///forum/post/3158374
As far as the Nova thats pretty much the one to buy, the stock lamps are so so, youll do fine for awhile but consider an upgrade. I am using the wave points bulbs with a 12k 460nM and 420nM in a 48" nova and visually things are great.. Refarding the individual reflectors.. It does make a difference, but it may only be detectable with a PAR meter.. Current uses a german parabolic in single reflector units that is pretty good, and visually you probably would never know the differefnce from individuals.
Those WavePoint 460's make a huge difference.
I visibly have noticed no difference in my corals, I have SPS, LPS and softies, all are fine. I'm sure there's a difference in the PAR readings, but my corals have no visible difference on either side of the tank whether under the individual reflectors, or the one larger reflector.
Either way, the Nova is a great light and probably the best T5 out there. WavePoint makes a nice light also, but they don't have individual switches for the actinic and daylights and fans are really noisy. I like their bulbs though.

 

[thai]

Originally Posted by BTLDreef
http:///forum/post/3158379
Those WavePoint 460's make a huge difference.
I visibly have noticed no difference in my corals, I have SPS, LPS and softies, all are fine. I'm sure there's a difference in the PAR readings, but my corals have no visible difference on either side of the tank whether under the individual reflectors, or the one larger reflector.
Either way, the Nova is a great light and probably the best T5 out there. WavePoint makes a nice light also, but they don't have individual switches for the actinic and daylights and fans are really noisy. I like their bulbs though.
Well i have a 265 gallon i was thinking about buying the same lights by nova extreme my footprint on my tang is 84x24x20 i was wondering if that was enough lighting for clam and anemone?

 

[wangotango]

and probably the best T5 out there. QUOTE]
If you're on a budget then yes. I would spend the money on the 72" Constellation. Much higher quality and you will get a lot more light out of it.
Load it up with ATI bulbs.
-Justin

 

[btldreef]

My husband corrected me tonight. We changed the 460's to WavePoint 420nm's in the actinic lights. They make a huge difference. They also only cost $12.99 per 39 watt bulb at our LFS.

 

[hul kogan]

Great info/discussion here everyone.
As far as what I would like to keep...I'd really like to not be limited. SPS, LPS, Softies, and clams.
I ran some watts per gallon (on my 180) numbers on the two fixtures that I like right now...
Nova Extreme Pro - 2.6
Aquactinics Constellation - 3.03
At retail value you are looking at about a $400-500 difference between those two. Does the Constellation warrant the extra cost? Any other models/brands I should look into?
Also, this is for an in-wall setup so I am certainly not opposed to buying scratch and dent? Anyone know where I might be able to buy something along those lines and save a bit of money? Feel free to PM me if you have details.

 

[saltn00b]

watts per gallon is an outdated method of comparing lights. wattage is most closely related to as a measure of water penetration. you want to look at Lumens, and PAR (photosynthetically available light)

 

[hul kogan]

Originally Posted by saltn00b
http:///forum/post/3158831
watts per gallon is an outdated method of comparing lights. wattage is most closely related to as a measure of water penetration. you want to look at Lumens, and PAR (photosynthetically available light)
Ah yes, I do recall reading quite a bit about PAR lately.
Anyone know what type of PAR ratings either of those 72" T5 fixtures put out (or even any other options)?

 

[wangotango]

Originally Posted by hul kogan
http:///forum/post/3158962
Ah yes, I do recall reading quite a bit about PAR lately.
Anyone know what type of PAR ratings either of those 72" T5 fixtures put out (or even any other options)?
Depends on what bulbs you decided to run, quality of reflectors, and how well the fixture is cooled. Between the Nova Pro and Aquactinics Constellation there is no comparison. If your tank isn't rediculously deep then the Pro would be fine, but if the tank is wider or deeper then the Constellation is the way to go.
If you're looking to save money you might want to consider a retrofit kit.
-Justin

 

[hul kogan]

Well, I have a 180 (6x2x2). I'm guessing that is getting to the point where a tank might start to be considered deep...?

 

[btldreef]

I have a 2' deep tank and the Novas are fine. I have SPS, LPS, softies and anemones in there and everything is doing great.

 

[hul kogan]

Originally Posted by BTLDreef
http:///forum/post/3159158
I have a 2' deep tank and the Novas are fine. I have SPS, LPS, softies and anemones in there and everything is doing great.
So you are running stock bulbs, other than the Wavepoints that you switched out?

 

[saltn00b]

30 " is generally considered the T5 cut off for deep.