Current USA-Nova Extreme Pro T5HO

I feel this way as well about currents bulbs. They have a decent ballast but their bulbs are sub-par. I'm thinking that next month i'm going to go to upgrade bulbs to Geismanns. What specific bulbs did you go with for your setup, since i I have the same one?

 

Look on DFS's web page and you will see the only available 18" t5ho are current brand bulbs.

Fish & Aquarium Supplies: T-5 HO Fluorescent Tubes

Let me see if anyone else eve makes 18" t5s anymore. The list was a small list a few years back, but now may be even smaller.

Here is another one..

http://www.thereeftank.com/compare-lighting-bulbs/18-inch-20-watt-t5-ho-bulb/

So it looks like hagen makes 18" t5s still, but those IME are not any better than current brand bulbs for t5.


Here is reefgeek's list of t5ho bulbs.
http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/Replacement_Bulbs/T5_Fluorescent/
Notice nothing is less than 24w, so no 18" t5ho bulbs are sold by them. Between these 3 links, that covers pretty much every brand of t5ho bulb maker. Only current and hagen have 18" bulbs, and those 2 brands are far from ideal for bulbs.

 

thanks for your help guys?

 

Aquarium Lighting for Freshwater and Reef Systems: Nova Extreme Compact SLR T-5 Fixtures

$159 new with 12m warranty and new bulbs with SLR

Use Coupon Code: 34304001 or 34254032 = $5 bucks off.

I dont think they make a PRO SERIES w/ SLR 20" t5 unit.

24" x 8" Saltwater; 96 watt, 4 bulb fixture CD-36003
$159.99


if I was you, I would buy new at least you know the whole unit is 100% brand new.. buying used just dont know if its got rust, water damaged, dropped, etc.. plus, I think you'll probly need a reciept/proof of purchase if you EVER have a warranty claim..

just my 2 cents.

 

I wouldnt say current bulbs are crap, but I will stay there are worst brands of bulbs out there. IMHO they are mid-grade bulb, on a scale 1 worst to 10 best, Id say they are a 5. Jebo,Odyssea, etc are crap bulbs..

of course 9-12months down the road for future upgrades look at ATI,giessman, UVL..

 

alright thanks so much horkn. I think i am gonna pass. Any thoughts on a new light fixture for a 29gal and 14gal biocubes?

 

No problem

what kind of corals are you going to have in each? A 29g is a tough one to light. You could even run overdriven t8's, or maybe t6s or maybe the t2's if they make a length that will fit on a 20" tank.

I have a friend (on 3reef too) that has a 40b run by overdriven t8s. it supports all but the really light needy SPS.

You could use LED's to runt he biocube.

Unclejed on 3reef just replaced a faulty PC ballast on his biocube with a LED module. See what he thinks about the led's he got.

 

read this link about nova pro t5x4 bulb with pictures..

give you an idea.

http://www.3reef.com/forums/reef-lighting/plenty-light-60-gallon-83618.html

 

well to me it sounds like my best option might be MH? They make adjustable fixtures to fit on any tank. I was mainly thinking of the JBJ K-2 Viper. Any thoughts on this light?

 

I read about the T2's and the fixture length is about 21"...I'm planning on getting them for my 20G tall nano tank. One 13watt T2 puts out as much or more than 2 15 watt PC bulbs. They also have 2 other sizes an 11watt 17" fixture and an 8 watt 12.6" fixture.
The replacement bulbs @ the site I saw are about $10 but are only available in 6400K and actinic.