New here need light help!!

bulldog steve

bulldog steve

Member
Hello All,
I just joined this great fourm.
I am in need of advice for lights. My tank is a 36l x 18w x 21h.
Had a saltwater 20 yrs ago, things sure have changed. Well i am looking at keeping a reef tank. To date i have 1 falco hawk fish, a small cuc, live rock, some button polyps, some mushroom anemone, med. size pulse xenia for my wifes up and coming saddleback clowns (pair).
Well the lights i am looking at are but not limited to
1. Nova Extreme Pro T5 High Output Aquarium Lighting Fixture - 6 x 39W
LED whole salers
2. High Power WHITE + BLUE LED Aquarium Reef corals grow light
LED quantity: 119pcs x 1 Watt LED (71 White + 48 Blue)
LED configuration: BridgeLux 1w/LED
Color: White and Blue mixed, White: 14000K(14000-20000k),
Blue: 460nm
3. 36"Orbit 2x96w SunPaq +3 LED's & Fan Model#1023
Please give me your expert ideas please.
Thanks
Steve
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member

Welcome to the site!
Your lights are good to go for a reef. However clowns host what they want and sometimes not at all. Mine host the input and output tubes of my filter.
 
wangotango

wangotango

Active Member
Who makes the LED fixture?
The Nova PRO is an ok fixture, but if you did decide to go with it use a better brand of bulb.
-Justin
 
bulldog steve

bulldog steve

Member
She is just hoping they will host somthing. LOL
well i still dont know what to get for lights.

Waiting on my tax return due on the 16
Steve
 
bulldog steve

bulldog steve

Member
I am not sure if these are junk or if anybody else out there has tried this set of lights. Or if they will fill my needs for a light set up.
steve
 
wangotango

wangotango

Active Member
Originally Posted by Xcali1985
http:///forum/post/3220490
Those LED ones are cheap!!! Compared to the current industry standard. Even buying 2 to cover your entire tank would still be cheaper than the bigger named ones.
http://www.ledwholesalers.com/store/...&productId=512
Interesting. Says the LED foot print provides light for 8 to 10 square feet.
If those PAR numbers are accurate, then that would be a good choice. Never heard of the brand of LED that they're using which would make me skeptical.
 
bulldog steve

bulldog steve

Member
Thanks Wango
I just dont want to waste my money and then find out its not going to last me for awhile or not fit my needs.
Steve
 
bulldog123

bulldog123

Member
Out of your list I would go with the Nova Pro. There is always something better out there. I started with that fixture and later add a 250mh.
 
bulldog steve

bulldog steve

Member
Thanks
I got my tax return coming and wife said to get me the light i need.
Just dont want to have to go better in a year or so!
So guess its the nova pro for me.
Steve
P.S. Love the bulldog is it yours i had 3 in my life time...
 
king_neptune

king_neptune

Active Member
Originally Posted by WangoTango
http:///forum/post/3220839
If those PAR numbers are accurate, then that would be a good choice. Never heard of the brand of LED that they're using which would make me skeptical.
I have mine coming in the mail tomorrow. I got them for $288 shipped. I am very skeptical myself, but it seemed like a worthy risk. I spoke directly over the phone and the lady insisted that the par readings are accurate, if not they will ship me a new unit.
The 30day warranty is shady. I'm guessing they made in china, so that's the reason. The company that produces the LED bulbs themselves, is a young one. They have only been in the LED market since 2002.
But their business statement on the web page is all about making quality yet affordable. The MSR price is $399 I believe, so me getting these for $268+$20 shipping was a pretty good steal.
At any rate, Ill tell you all my initial impressions tomorrow night when I hang them. I figure Ill get myself 2 more arrays for my 125DT if they pan out. Total cost just under $900. Which would be tough to beat, even If I DIY'd my own array.
 
spanko

spanko

Active Member
36" TEK fixture. $280.00. Bulbs not included but a better fixture than the Nova by most accounts I have read. And allows you to go out and get better bulbs right off the bat.
After you get the light go out and purchase a nice Sebae anemone providing you tank is ready for it. This would be the anemone the saddleback clownfish Amphiprion polymnus is normally associated with in the sea.
 
bulldog123

bulldog123

Member
Originally Posted by Bulldog Steve
http:///forum/post/3221335
Thanks
I got my tax return coming and wife said to get me the light i need.
Just dont want to have to go better in a year or so!
So guess its the nova pro for me.
Steve
P.S. Love the bulldog is it yours i had 3 in my life time...
I have him and another now and have owned five in total. I will never own anything else. As long as my wallet permits

I would agree with spanko the the TEK fixture is better than the Nova
 
king_neptune

king_neptune

Active Member
Ya. The bay approval is 99
But they have a massive selection, so getting a specific review on this particular light isn't happening. We all know how competent Communist engineering is. So lets see If I get my $300 worth. Ill find out tomorrow!
 
bulldog steve

bulldog steve

Member
Originally Posted by King_Neptune
http:///forum/post/3221369
I have mine coming in the mail tomorrow. I got them for $288 shipped. I am very skeptical myself, but it seemed like a worthy risk. I spoke directly over the phone and the lady insisted that the par readings are accurate, if not they will ship me a new unit.
The 30day warranty is shady. I'm guessing they made in china, so that's the reason. The company that produces the LED bulbs themselves, is a young one. They have only been in the LED market since 2002.
But their business statement on the web page is all about making quality yet affordable. The MSR price is $399 I believe, so me getting these for $268+$20 shipping was a pretty good steal.
At any rate, Ill tell you all my initial impressions tomorrow night when I hang them. I figure Ill get myself 2 more arrays for my 125DT if they pan out. Total cost just under $900. Which would be tough to beat, even If I DIY'd my own array.
Looking forward to hearing what you think that might just sway me...
steve
 
anjiro

anjiro

Member
Here is my issue.... This light seems great, the price has gone up since you purchased it neptune, however, price being inconsequential I can DIY and led fixture with 12 Cree XR-E Q5's and 12 460nm blues 3 watts for $239 (rapidled this includes drivers, epoxy, wire nuts and power cables) plus cost of heat sink($40) and soldering Iron($13.99 Lowe's) or about $290 bucks and make it fit into any hood for example a biocube hood. this gives 72 watts of LED power equivalent to about 175 watt Metal Halide. Most of the current market fixtures I have seen have the 3watt LED's with comparatively few LED's and great Par readings on a 75gallon on the big forum using two sets of the 24 - 3 watt lights and I am in the market for either doing it myself or purchasing for both my saltwater and freshwater planted tanks. I guess my addition to the argument is.... Is there a detriment to using these 1 watt LEDs? because for that 40 bucks more plus shipping (currently 329 to purchase) it would save me lots of man hours and the chance at screwing up my own set up. I will be looking forward to see how you like these lights and could you post pics for the people as well. Sorry I dont mean to Hijack just add to the discussion....
 
king_neptune

king_neptune

Active Member
Well initial impressions:
They are deffinatly over powering the MH. Thats the good.
But the ambient light is next to nothing. They shoot a beam directly downward, so if you are looking to light up a larger tank, you'd need several units. I already knew that...but I was thinking Id need 3... I was wrong.
For my 72" tank, 3 wouldn't even cut it. I would not be happy with any less than 4, and the more I think about it. I would probably want 6. Because they are only good to cover a 12x18" foot print. My 72" brick is 20" wide, so I could fit 6 along its length. Thats $1,800. For that price, Ill DIY something I want that will be better quality anyways.
So you'd have to stack them side by side all the way across the tank. Then they would be good. I am going to hang onto them, and use them on a Nano. I think they would do fine for a Nano.
But for a larger system, you would be better off DIY because at least then you can add lenses. Plus you'd get 3w lights instead of 1w.
Having 119x1w does put out a bright beam, but the whole unit kills itself with such a small footprint. Sorry to disappoint anyone, I know I am. But hey, at least now I got an excuse to do a nano!
And remember, these are INITIAL impressions based on looking at them over my tank for about 5 min. Ill still keep testing to see what my long term views are.
 
anjiro

anjiro

Member
Okay Neptune, one question, seeing as you are unhappy with the coverage is there anyway you could remove the opticcs? Without the optics you would not have the spot light effect but a wash of light. The lenses they are using are probably 60 degrees if its pointing straight down, 80's or none at all would be best.
 
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