questions about T5 lights and fixtures

hops523

hops523

Member
Eventually I am going to start up a 55 gallon aquarium, and eventually I was planning on putting in an bubble tip anemone. Im a little confused about T5 lighting and fixtures. Im pretty sure the tank Im going to get is about 48" long. I was looking at T5 fixtures online and saw:
Hagen Glo T5 HO Lighting System - Double - 48
Hagen Glo T5 HO Lighting System - Double - 36
Hagen Glo T5 HO Lighting System - Single - 48
The ones that say Double, I guess you can put 2 bulbs in? Even though the tank is 48" long, the fixture that has a 36 at the end, says it can adjust to a longer length than that, so will it still fit the tank? Also the bulbs that I found are T5 fluorescent bulbs. The bulb I would need is 54 watts,and 18,000K would this be enough for an anemone?Or would I need another bulb? And one more question, do I even need a T5 fixture, or can I just use the hoods I have, and put the T5 bulbs in them?
 
nycbob

nycbob

Active Member
the hagen glo fixture isnt good bc it doesnt hv individual reflectors. go with nova extreme pro if u r on a budget. if not, go with ati.
 
hops523

hops523

Member
Alright thanks, I will go check that out. I think I will have to get it online though. I havent seen it at any of the stores, only the hagen.
 
flricordia

flricordia

Active Member
Originally Posted by hops523
http:///forum/post/2545822
Eventually I am going to start up a 55 gallon aquarium, and eventually I was planning on putting in an bubble tip anemone. Im a little confused about T5 lighting and fixtures. Im pretty sure the tank Im going to get is about 48" long. I was looking at T5 fixtures online and saw:
Hagen Glo T5 HO Lighting System - Double - 48
Hagen Glo T5 HO Lighting System - Double - 36
Hagen Glo T5 HO Lighting System - Single - 48
The ones that say Double, I guess you can put 2 bulbs in? Even though the tank is 48" long, the fixture that has a 36 at the end, says it can adjust to a longer length than that, so will it still fit the tank? Also the bulbs that I found are T5 fluorescent bulbs. The bulb I would need is 54 watts,and 18,000K would this be enough for an anemone?Or would I need another bulb? And one more question, do I even need a T5 fixture, or can I just use the hoods I have, and put the T5 bulbs in them?
If you are on a budget, yes, you can go with a retor kit and place in the hood you have. The Hagen series has a retro with endcaps attatched and some nice individual reflectors. I am using them over my ricordea tanks and they are doing a fine job.
 
hops523

hops523

Member
haha yep, Im looking there right now. But are we talking about the same thing. I see they have 3 different types. But you said it was the Nova Extreme Pro? I also see:Nova Extreme T5 fixtures, and Nova ExtremeT5 fixtures with Lunar Lights.
and Flricordea, sorry what do you mean by "go with a retor kit"? Do you mean put the T5 bulbs in the hood the tank came with?
 
nycbob

nycbob

Active Member
its the pro. type in "current nova extreme pro" at that site. it comes 6x54w or 8x54w fixture for the 48 inch version.
 
wangotango

wangotango

Active Member
IMO you're going to want a minimum of 216w individually reflected to keep what you want. The Nova Pro is a decent fixture, but if you don't mind spending a little more, look into the Aquactinics TX5. And if you're handy and have a canopy a TEK or Icecap retrofit would also be good choices.
-Justin
 
fats71

fats71

Active Member
Originally Posted by nycbob
http:///forum/post/2545844
the hagen glo fixture isnt good bc it doesnt hv individual reflectors. go with nova extreme pro if u r on a budget. if not, go with ati.

The nova extreme does not have indavidual reflectors. It has one piece that is bent to symbolize indavidual reflectors but they do not have indavidual reflectors.
 
big

big

Active Member
Originally Posted by Fats71
http:///forum/post/2546551
The nova extreme pro does not have indavidual reflectors. It has one piece that is bent to symbolize indavidual reflectors but they do not have indavidual reflectors.
The Extreme Pro is still the best buy out there. The reflectors may be made from a sheet, but it still will give good reflectance. and they work as individual reflectors.
Maybe not as good as something costing a good bit more money. But for a 55 the NEP will let you keep just about anything your heart desires.....
 
fats71

fats71

Active Member
Originally Posted by big
http:///forum/post/2546565
The Extreme Pro is still the best buy out there. The reflectors may be made from a sheet, but it still will give good reflectance. and they work as individual reflectors.
Maybe not as good as something costing a good bit more money. But for a 55 the NEP will let you keep just about anything your heart desires.....

I was going to go with the nova extreme pro but for the money I am going to purchase these Oddyssea 48" MH fixture. It's cheap, only $359, and has 2x250W HQI MH, 4x65W PC. It is the same price as the nova extreme pro and I will be able to keep sps with this where the nova extreme pro I can't.
I have another post on here and have been researching lights around 8 hours a day ( work on the pc and do little work :) )
It seems like these are more bang for the buck. I do however love thhe look and design of the nova extreme pro and am not knocking it but for the same price you can do more.
I can get tek at cost from my LFS but when you add bulbs legs etc it ends up being a lot more money than the nova or the Oddyssea 48" MH fixture. 2x250W HQI MH, 4x65W PC.
 
hops523

hops523

Member
Sorry, but I still havent had a clear answer on this question. Would it be ok to put T5 bulbs in the hood the aquarium comes with?
 
big

big

Active Member
Originally Posted by hops523
http:///forum/post/2546577
Sorry, but I still havent had a clear answer on this question. Would it be ok to put T5 bulbs in the hood the aquarium comes with?
The info that comes with the Nova E.P.says no. I think it is a liability issue they do not want to have over their heads.............
Maybe someone can explain the reasoning better than I.
Canopies, and the overheating issues they can cause I stay away from.......But remember too, any lights that produce heat,especially ones with MH or any other kind of incandescent produce a lot of excess heat that needs to be SAFELY addressed (other than some LED systems, that produce little to no heat.) From what I understand the T-5's run considerably cooler than any other types or lighting if not overdriven other than the LED stuff.
 
reefraff

reefraff

Active Member
If by hood you mean canopy get a retrofit kit. Way better performance than the Nova for around the same cost. Another reason fixture manufacturers dont reco using them in a canopy is they dont have moisure proof endcaps an switches. The moist air built up in a canopy causes exposed electrial connections and wiring corrode.
 
big

big

Active Member
Originally Posted by Bader
http:///forum/post/2546745
from what i have herd an icecap 4 bulb retro will blow away the nova extreme pro
Yes The icecap's are great ballast., but again heat MAY (or maybe not)become an issue in a Canopy. 6x 85 or so watts overdriven is warm. I still am not sure is the poster was refering to a canopy or a hood??
If money where no issue I too agree the ATI would would be the way to go. About double the cost of the Nova or a bit less ? But bang for the buck the Nova EP may be a more cost effective solution.
Unless it is a retro-fit to the canopy then look at those options.
By now I am sure thee is some confusion as to what to do. At least he is asking first. That is better than many have done first time around..... Heck my first high power was a PC system!
 
nycbob

nycbob

Active Member
fat71, i hv the pro, and it does hv individual reflectors. u can go to the currents web site to check it. i hv the extreme pro over my 72. the one u r referring to is the regular nova extreme. i was just tryng to help hops523. if u r gonna refute me, at least do some research.
 
hops523

hops523

Member
Alright alright. Haha its a little confusing,but I think Im getting it. The first option for me is to buy what I need at a store, and not online. But the only T5 fixture I can find in a store is the hagen fixture.
 
fats71

fats71

Active Member
Originally Posted by nycbob
http:///forum/post/2546937
fat71, i hv the pro, and it does hv individual reflectors. u can go to the currents web site to check it. i hv the extreme pro over my 72. the one u r referring to is the regular nova extreme. i was just tryng to help hops523. if u r gonna refute me, at least do some research.
http://www.current-usa.com/nova_extreme_pro

Individually contoured reflectors for maximum light intensity
Now take it apart andd see if it is one sheet bent into indavidual reflectors and you will see I am correct. If your going to refute me do what I did and take one apart and see for yourself.
 
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