Are Nova Extreme 10K T5 HO's too bright?

[jigga w00t]

I'm setting up a 40gal breeder, and purchased Nova Extreme T5 HO 36wattx4 for it. (great deal on ----!) One of the few LFS guys I trust told me 2 10K bulbs would be too much and would bleach out corals. Anyone ever have this happen? He recommended one of the pink bulbs that are "softer" than a 10K white bulb, or to just take one of the 10K's out.
Ever heard of this? Bad advice? I just want to make sure I'll probably be setting up the tank this week...

 

[culp]

there bulbs are not too bright. they aren't even that good.

 

[fanker]

Originally Posted by jigga w00t
http:///forum/post/3058737
I'm setting up a 40gal breeder, and purchased Nova Extreme T5 HO 36wattx4 for it. (great deal on ----!) One of the few LFS guys I trust told me 2 10K bulbs would be too much and would bleach out corals. Anyone ever have this happen? He recommended one of the pink bulbs that are "softer" than a 10K white bulb, or to just take one of the 10K's out.
Ever heard of this? Bad advice? I just want to make sure I'll probably be setting up the tank this week...
very very bad advice people like him make people like me look bad, actually nova bulbs arent that good has less par than most almost all bulbs out there.

 

[dankbardy31]

Right now are there 4 10k or are 2 10k and 2 actinic? Either way I think its bad advice.

 

[rigdon87]

I have the 48" nova xtreme pro and there not "too bright" most people drop the stock bulbs and get a combo of like 12k or 14k and some diff actinics.Great fixture just crappy bulbs

 

[culp]

if your corals are bleaching out than it could be there not getting enough light.

 

[aquaguy24]

with 2 10k's ur corals won't bleach but the corals true colors won't show.it will just look yellow....thats prolly wat ur friend at the lfs meant...go with 2x12k's and 2x460mn actinics..or something along that line..and check out bulb brands like ati, giesmann or uvl..they have way better par...

 

[jigga w00t]

alright, thanks guys. nothing like hearing the lights you thought were good - aren't. i think the lfs guy is used to ATA bulbs or something a little higher quality. i guess i'll try these bulbs out and see if anything grows...

 

[worrballer]

I have 2 of the 2 x 24 watt (24") Nova Extremes. I have the stock bulbs for now but will upgrade later.
The 10k are really yellow but I have an encrusting monti, a digi, and a stylophora doing really well under those bulbs. But, like aquaguy24 said their true colors are not showing.
ATI are really good, UVI (or URI) are good too. There are a bunch of color combos you can do. So many in fact, it'll make your head spin lol.