Help me decide on a T5 fixture!

Hello! Im new to 3reef and have a very important question to ask. Ill be buying a t5 fixture for my reef tank this week and I've narrowed it down to two options.
Id like your help in deciding between the two. The only requirement is that it needs to support SPS corals.

option 1

Nova Extreme Pro | Current-USA
This is a 6 bulb fixture. Definitely capable of housing SPS. The issue is that the only bulbs available for it are the standard 16" bulbs that come with it. They come in 12,000K, Actinic blue, and Actinic purple.

option 2

2Ft/4Bulbs fixture
This is a four bulb fixture, also probably capable of housing SPS. The advantage with this one is that i would be able to use ATI bulbs.


SO, what would you go with? Why?

Thank you and happy reefing!

 

It's safer to go with a unit that gives you the ability to use a bulb size that's... Standard in the sense of whats easily available. a 16" bulb is tiny and hard to replace. Using a bulb that fits a 24" fixture is a better path as it gives you more options which offer better results.

BUT, just because a fixture is cheap doesn't mean it's worth it's metal, There are some dirt cheap fixtures out there, and as it goes you get what you pay for. Especially if your going for a SPS style tank you want fantastic lights, research what your going to purchase as you want it to be the best choice and last you a long long time. (because lights aren't cheap to replace in a pinch)

 

+1 Totally agreed.

OPTION 3:

AquaticLife T5 2-Lamp Fixtures, Aquarium T 5 Fixture | PetSolutions

These units are modular so you can link however many 2-bulb fixtures you need. You may find that 4 bulbs will be more than sufficient for SPS, especially if you switch to ATI.

 

+1 to this post especially, the best fixture suggest in this thread.

 

Thanks guys.

Mr. Bill, I should have mentioned that my price range is limited. The nova is 100$ used at my LFS.

So I'm thinking the FNI I best for the price? That way I can use nicer bulbs?

 

Ive heard good things about both fixtures. The nova is considerably more(when new). Not sure if that makes it a better fixture. If i do go with the FNI what bulb combo should i go with?(ATI)

 

Problem is, as already mentioned, you get what you pay for in this hobby. I admit, I know nothing about FNI products. But if they use a cheap ballast and it's not installed modularly, you may find yourself needing another new fixture much earlier than expected. Outside of that, yes it may work since it will accept standard ATI bulbs.

Have you checked CraigsList or E-bay? Lots of used top-of-the-line T-5 and MH units going for cheap as more and more hobbyists switch to LED.

 

I have the Nova Extreme 2-bulb unit on my 29H, and I'm more than satisfied with ATI Coral Plus bulbs. Took some of my softies over 3 weeks to fully acclimate, so personally, I wouldn't be afraid to place SPS in my tank, higher up on the rockwork.

 

Yeah i haven't seen much. The FNI gets good reviews as far as I've seen...

I did some more digging and the truelumen bulbs that the Nova comes with are actually of quality. Im sure 6 3-4 star bulbs should do just fine. Im looking to keep mostly montipora and birds nest. Maybe some acros.

 

Alright i think I'm going to go with the FNI. Its completely worth it since i can run ATI. Its got individual reflectors and I've even seen people use the stock lights with success!