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#1
11/16/2007, 07:04 PM
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Current Nova Extreme T5HOx2
I have an Oceanic 30 gallon cube, it is roughly 20 inches cubed. I was looking for a decent lighting system for it, I found a T5HO system by Current that is only 18 inches wide. Does anyone have any first hand info or use of this product?
http://www.current-usa.com/novaextremet5hox2.html It measures 18" x 4.25" x 1.5" Most of the T5 units start at 24 inches, in my case this is too wide. I was thinking of placing two of these fixtures above the tank. Thoughts, opinions? Anyone aware of another T5HO fixture that is 20 inches? Does anyone else make bulbs that will fit this fixture? 
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Rob |
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#3
11/16/2007, 09:15 PM
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While I have considered the MH route, I like the electric draw of the T5HO. I have not ruled out the MH, but am leaning towards the T5 system.
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Rob |
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#4
11/16/2007, 09:19 PM
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I prefer T5's as well but its going to be tough to find a decent t5 fixture for such a strange size tank. The light you have above isn't to hot as its one generic reflector and your going to be very limited on bulb choice. Maybe hang a 24" fixture above it, would that be possible?
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There's no such thing as a normal reef, there's just reef |
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#5
11/16/2007, 09:22 PM
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I have a 48 inch 216-watt T5 Current fixture on the tank at work and now one at home and I am very happy with them. I don't think you can beat the price and the light output you get for the price. Keeping a clam in one of the tanks, it's happy.
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#6
11/16/2007, 10:33 PM
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Yea, you may be ok with lps, not to sure about sps unless you keep them very high in your tank. Softies no prob. The problem like mentioned before is the bulb's for that size are very limited and if current bulb's are all your going to be able to get that isn't to great as they have mid to below par bulb's imo. I still think a MH would be ideal.....or if you could get a 24" fixture with individual reflectors.
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There's no such thing as a normal reef, there's just reef |
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#7
11/16/2007, 10:52 PM
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the 24" fixture is actually "possible." I have this fixture (only 4x24) and had it on my 45g cube, it's 24" wide so it fit perfectly, but the Nova's have plastic feet that come with them and the track that they go into runs the whole length of that fixture, so you'd just have to adjust the feet in a little. You'd have a little bit of unused bulb, but who cares if the light fixture is in your price range and will do what you want. I upgraded my stuff to a 4x24 IceCap retro. It's much brighter w/ the individual reflectors.
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- Danny Go SunDevils...there's always next year! |
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#8
11/16/2007, 11:13 PM
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Re: Current Nova Extreme T5HOx2
Quote:
I have been looking at that same 18" T-5 light on the web. I have a 18" cube and a 24" standard 4x24 watt light would really hang over. I thought about 2 of the 2x18 watt Current lights. The other option is a modified 96 watt power quad with an additional 40 watt PC bulb. I can fit all that into a modified Coralife quad fixture. Both ideas have a very limited number of bulb types. I have to believe the 96 +40 watt PC has to be brighter than 80 watts of t-5. I can't use a MH because of the space above the tank is only 4" and the lights must set directly on top of the cube--no legs. |
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#9
11/16/2007, 11:26 PM
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If you ran a 4x24 t5 it would be more light and much better par and penetration than the 136w of the PC. If the t5's have individual reflectors that is.
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There's no such thing as a normal reef, there's just reef |
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#11
11/17/2007, 01:08 AM
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How about this:
The average published PAR/watt for a T5 is a maximum of 90. The average published par/watt for PC is 65. 4x24x90=8640 PAR for the T5. 136x65=8840 PAR for the PC. The T5 is more efficient, with more light/watt energy, but the PC has more watts so the output is ~the same. With unusual size/style tanks we sometimes have to make our own. Don't be afraid to use a saw and soldering gun. R |
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#12
11/17/2007, 01:27 AM
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Have you taken a look at the Sunpod's?
I just bought the same tank you have and I am going to get the Sunpod 1160. B
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I'm in your tank fragging your zoo's! |
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#14
11/17/2007, 11:22 AM
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Those ATI fixtures do look very nice. I am in need of a 20 inch fixture though, it appears they start at 24 inches.
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Rob |
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#15
11/17/2007, 03:37 PM
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The 24" powermodule is actually only 23" wide. I wouldn't be worried about some overlap on the sides of the tank. All 24 watt T-5 bulbs should be the same lenght, making the actual lite part the same between the powermodule and the nova. I looked at getting a Nova when I first started out. I ended up getting a retro kit from reefgeek and have no regrets. If you plan on having corals, lights is one place it doesn't make sense to try to save money.
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